Expectations

Quoted from psgmariner

Lower half for me. At the moment.

We’ve kept more than I would have liked of one of our worst ever squads and have made some underwhelming signings so far. We have also missed out on some of our main transfer targets by the sounds of things.

That said, it’s very early and the squad is not yet complete. We desperately need at least 1 decent striker as it’s clear that the current squad lacks goals.

If we sign Vernam and another top quality striker I would hope mid table or even a flirtation with the playoffs is possible.

Worth remembering that every year someone posts a preview of the season that predicts Town won’t do as well as we hope. Every year it gets hammered and most years it turns out to be correct. Have to look at these things as a neutral. Our signings so far have been well below those of our some of our rivals.

Underwhelming why?

I sometimes wonder who fans think we should be signing, given our current position and fan base. We are shopping in a certain kind of market and looking for overlooked gems and players like Collins and Welsh who are coming to the ends of their careers, but still have something to offer. It's up to the manager to mould them into team able to compete. MJ has shown so far that he is capable of that. He's also not going to get us where he wants us in 1 transfer window.

In a way its nice to go into a season not expecting much more than treading water, we could finish like Accrington Stanley who would have thought that.
Pressure is on the big money teams like Lincoln, MKD and Oldham they will need to see something for there investments

Quoted from Garth

In a way its nice to go into a season not expecting much more than treading water, we could finish like Accrington Stanley who would have thought that.
Pressure is on the big money teams like Lincoln, MKD and Oldham they will need to see something for there investments

Oldham?

Quoted from ginnywings

Underwhelming why?

Their previous careers mainly.

After the Sladeball we endured for a large part of last season, I want us to play the right way, the Grimsby way. That will be huge for me as despite being a season ticket holder it was too much of a chore to watch us kick off and launch the ball out for a throw in deep in their half, I must admit to staying away for a few games.

League position wise, I will not accept anything other than the play offs. It's only league two, we are certainly one of the seven biggest clubs in the division so I see no reason why we should accept any less. It's a clean slate now, I have faith in Michael Jolley and his backroom team, less faith in the board but as long as they stay out of the football side of things and back MJ off the pitch thus enabling him to succeed then we will have every chance. Need a strong start for a change, could also do with that elusive centre forward with an eye for goal.

Quoted from 75

After the Sladeball we endured for a large part of last season, I want us to play the right way, the Grimsby way. That will be huge for me as despite being a season ticket holder it was too much of a chore to watch us kick off and launch the ball out for a throw in deep in their half, I must admit to staying away for a few games.

League position wise, I will not accept anything other than the play offs. It's only league two, we are certainly one of the seven biggest clubs in the division so I see no reason why we should accept any less. It's a clean slate now, I have faith in Michael Jolley and his backroom team, less faith in the board but as long as they stay out of the football side of things and back MJ off the pitch thus enabling him to succeed then we will have every chance. Need a strong start for a change, could also do with that elusive centre forward with an eye for goal.

Doubt we have a top 7 budget tbh. Maybe top 10 in crowds potentially but with no additional investment we can be outspent. Add this to our geographical position and we are really a midtable outfit imo.

We could have additional spending with the right leadership but that doesnt seem to be happening for the forseeable

Quoted from LongEatonMariner

I struggle to separate hopes from expectation at times like this ....

At this moment in time I think we will finish just outside the play offs,

With a couple of good signings ( fingers crossed ) play offs at least,

Realistically, mid-table is reasonable.  We finished 18th last season after a 20-game winless streak, so even 3 or four more wins would put us mid-table.  Of course, it also depends on how the other teams have come on.

Last season, Accrington improved from 13th (one place above us) to 1st.  Notts County went 16th to 5th.  Lincoln from Conference to 7th.  I don't think any of them had massively overhauled their squads from the previous season, so maybe there's something to be said for a manager evolving their squad and getting the most out of a group.  So I'm not saying it's beyond possibility that we could make a play-off charge.

That said, iff you were a fan of another team in the league, you'd probably place us in the bunch of teams (along with the likes of Crewe, Cheltenham, Crawley, Newport, Stevenage) bumping around the 12-18th slots, but with the potential to go higher if they get a run going, so mid table about fair.

I think at the bottom, Yeovil and Morecambe could find it tough, and we don't yet know how Macclesfield will cope given their difficulties.

I have bought a season ticket after not renewing under Slade.I think MJ is a breath of fresh air and expect us to surprise a few with a strong start and think we will end comfortably top half/play offs.Loving the 2 year deals it says the board are confident in what MJ wants to do and I like the look of the younger team etc.I am really looking forward to this Season.UTM