by Regiment » 24 Mar 2011, 09:21
to answer the question "could we cope ?" the simple answer is YES in my opinion.
at the start of the season, i'd have been happy with a better campaign than last year (no end of season panic at the wrong end), and we've achieved that and more.
when you look around at other clubs, right from the top down, there are so many where you could question the way the club is run etc. I think the TUFC board have displayed a sensible and successful approach to running the club, ensuring we live within our means, and you also need to tip your hat to PB for playing his part in that - there must have been some hard and frustrating moments along the way, but as a club, we've shown it can be done.
we'll never be a Man Utd or Chelsea, but we'll also never be a Pompey or Argyle.
if we were to gain promotion (even if we don't but have a good go in the play-offs), we should be optimistic about next season. we all know our location and the size of the club will play against us in trying to attract certain players, but i think TUFC and Bucks have gained a lot of friends and respect in the football world, and this will help in the future. we've clearly got strong links with certain clubs (clubs with a good status) in terms of loans etc, and we've on the whole, managed that side of the market pretty well.
i would also like to think promotion would allow us to hold on to any of our sought after players, and whilst you don't want the club to do anything silly, we need to get a few of these players on longer term contracts. whilst losing Benyon wasn't the end of the world, had he been on a longer contract, we'd either still have him, or would've got considerably more dosh for him.
whether we go up this year, or just come close and push for promotion next year, there are a few things i'd like to see happen between now and august :-
1. Sign Jake Robinson (ESPN PFA Fans' Player of the Month for March !!).
2. Sign Craig Stanley.
3. Arrange another season long loan for Joe Oastler.
4. Longer contracts for the core of the squad.
5. More done locally to promote the club and get bums on seats.
6. Swindon get relegated and Benyon come back on a free !!
7. Look for a "like for like" replacement/backup for Branners (if such a thing was ever created !!!)
to answer the question "could we cope ?" the simple answer is YES in my opinion.
at the start of the season, i'd have been happy with a better campaign than last year (no end of season panic at the wrong end), and we've achieved that and more.
when you look around at other clubs, right from the top down, there are so many where you could question the way the club is run etc. I think the TUFC board have displayed a sensible and successful approach to running the club, ensuring we live within our means, and you also need to tip your hat to PB for playing his part in that - there must have been some hard and frustrating moments along the way, but as a club, we've shown it can be done.
we'll never be a Man Utd or Chelsea, but we'll also never be a Pompey or Argyle.
if we were to gain promotion (even if we don't but have a good go in the play-offs), we should be optimistic about next season. we all know our location and the size of the club will play against us in trying to attract certain players, but i think TUFC and Bucks have gained a lot of friends and respect in the football world, and this will help in the future. we've clearly got strong links with certain clubs (clubs with a good status) in terms of loans etc, and we've on the whole, managed that side of the market pretty well.
i would also like to think promotion would allow us to hold on to any of our sought after players, and whilst you don't want the club to do anything silly, we need to get a few of these players on longer term contracts. whilst losing Benyon wasn't the end of the world, had he been on a longer contract, we'd either still have him, or would've got considerably more dosh for him.
whether we go up this year, or just come close and push for promotion next year, there are a few things i'd like to see happen between now and august :-
1. Sign Jake Robinson (ESPN PFA Fans' Player of the Month for March !!).
2. Sign Craig Stanley.
3. Arrange another season long loan for Joe Oastler.
4. Longer contracts for the core of the squad.
5. More done locally to promote the club and get bums on seats.
6. Swindon get relegated and Benyon come back on a free !!
7. Look for a "like for like" replacement/backup for Branners (if such a thing was ever created !!!)
