Lets be patient and support the boys

Quoted from Reverendmariner

In theory, I wouldn't mind another striker to cover injuries or loss of form from the first choices, but realise that a major problem in Slade's time was being overloaded with players who weren't really up to it. I also wonder if this might be the season where it all starts to unravel at Lincoln...

I would love to know why you think it will start to unravel at Lincoln?

I certainly don't think we will smash the league by any stretch, and our start is difficult, Northampton away and Swindon at home, followed by a local derby.

But to unravel?, we are completely unrecognisable from 3 years ago. Highest season ticket sales in the division, sell out almost every home game, large away followings - This could go on for some time.

More importantly, this is the strongest team we have had for years, there is barely a weak link, our attacking options are the best I have seen for years. It may not gel, but we have loads of options.

Secondly the infrastructure is so much better now, training ground, ground improvements - these have been done to safeguard our future, so I don't think we will unravel, we may not go up, but in my opinion we will be strong, and this year not just the first 11. We have moved on fringe players, and bought in upgrades -

As a side issue, I actually think you will do okay, I actually for once, hope you smash Village green by about 5. Cooper is a horrible pest.

Quoted from nealeardleyscrossing

I would love to know why you think it will start to unravel at Lincoln?

I certainly don't think we will smash the league by any stretch, and our start is difficult, Northampton away and Swindon at home, followed by a local derby.

But to unravel?, we are completely unrecognisable from 3 years ago. Highest season ticket sales in the division, sell out almost every home game, large away followings - This could go on for some time.

More importantly, this is the strongest team we have had for years, there is barely a weak link, our attacking options are the best I have seen for years. It may not gel, but we have loads of options.

Secondly the infrastructure is so much better now, training ground, ground improvements - these have been done to safeguard our future, so I don't think we will unravel, we may not go up, but in my opinion we will be strong, and this year not just the first 11. We have moved on fringe players, and bought in upgrades -

As a side issue, I actually think you will do okay, I actually for once, hope you smash Village green by about 5. Cooper is a horrible pest.

'Strongest team for years' , huge investment and therefore promotion will be demanded by many of those fans! Expectations will be huge, deliver and momentum will carry you forward, stutter and those fans, and boardroom pressure becomes a millstone round the neck. Same anywhere and Imps will be no different

Quoted from nealeardleyscrossing

I would love to know why you think it will start to unravel at Lincoln?

I certainly don't think we will smash the league by any stretch, and our start is difficult, Northampton away and Swindon at home, followed by a local derby.

But to unravel?, we are completely unrecognisable from 3 years ago. Highest season ticket sales in the division, sell out almost every home game, large away followings - This could go on for some time.

More importantly, this is the strongest team we have had for years, there is barely a weak link, our attacking options are the best I have seen for years. It may not gel, but we have loads of options.

Secondly the infrastructure is so much better now, training ground, ground improvements - these have been done to safeguard our future, so I don't think we will unravel, we may not go up, but in my opinion we will be strong, and this year not just the first 11. We have moved on fringe players, and bought in upgrades -

As a side issue, I actually think you will do okay, I actually for once, hope you smash Village green by about 5. Cooper is a horrible pest.

You think you've brought upgrades in.  You don't know until they've settled into the side if they're upgrades or not, that's no different to us or any other football side.

For all the increased ticket sales and improved followings, these are largely fans who've not seen the bad times.  It's not that long ago that you were struggling to get 2,000 at home games.   For the however many 'new' fans you've got, they've not experienced those six-game winless streaks were you can't buy a goal, never mind a point in the dark days of November through to December.  They've not had to endure back-to-back goalless drab draws in the freezing cold against Morecambe and Yeovil.   How are they going to react to that?  Because it will happen.

They've had two years of unbelievable success.  Promotion, Wembley appearances, big FA Cup runs, a promotion push....that's not every day stuff.  

Don't get me wrong, the work that's going on at Sincil Bank is envious from our perspective.  Your board appear to value the importance of the fan experience and look to be working towards a model with them at the heart of it.  A lot is made of the money you're spending, but a lot has come in through cup runs and boosted ticket sales.  

However, let's just say that your upgrades aren't actually upgrades.  They don't fit in and it doesn't all work out.  You struggle and you finish 18th.  How many of the 8,000 fans are going to be signing up for another season of that?  Or are they going to go back to their armchairs where they can watch success week-in-week-out?  With reduced ticket sales are you going to be able to afford to pay those high earners who you gave lengthy deals to?

It's a gamble, like the one we're taking with Jolley and his offering of 3-year-deals, we're gambling that it's a success otherwise we're lumbered with players we don't want and can't offload.  

That's how it unravels. You wouldn't be the first, won't be the last side to think you're on the cusp of something only to fall from grace.  

For the record, I wouldn't like to say how any team will do this season.  There's a lot of money splashed about but it doesn't mean anything.  

Quoted from diehardmariner

You think you've brought upgrades in.  You don't know until they've settled into the side if they're upgrades or not, that's no different to us or any other football side.

For all the increased ticket sales and improved followings, these are largely fans who've not seen the bad times.  It's not that long ago that you were struggling to get 2,000 at home games.   For the however many 'new' fans you've got, they've not experienced those six-game winless streaks were you can't buy a goal, never mind a point in the dark days of November through to December.  They've not had to endure back-to-back goalless drab draws in the freezing cold against Morecambe and Yeovil.   How are they going to react to that?  Because it will happen.

They've had two years of unbelievable success.  Promotion, Wembley appearances, big FA Cup runs, a promotion push....that's not every day stuff.  

Don't get me wrong, the work that's going on at Sincil Bank is envious from our perspective.  Your board appear to value the importance of the fan experience and look to be working towards a model with them at the heart of it.  A lot is made of the money you're spending, but a lot has come in through cup runs and boosted ticket sales.  

However, let's just say that your upgrades aren't actually upgrades.  They don't fit in and it doesn't all work out.  You struggle and you finish 18th.  How many of the 8,000 fans are going to be signing up for another season of that?  Or are they going to go back to their armchairs where they can watch success week-in-week-out?  With reduced ticket sales are you going to be able to afford to pay those high earners who you gave lengthy deals to?

It's a gamble, like the one we're taking with Jolley and his offering of 3-year-deals, we're gambling that it's a success otherwise we're lumbered with players we don't want and can't offload.  

That's how it unravels. You wouldn't be the first, won't be the last side to think you're on the cusp of something only to fall from grace.  

For the record, I wouldn't like to say how any team will do this season.  There's a lot of money splashed about but it doesn't mean anything.  

Its about now though isn't it. Don't mean to sound patronising, but history means very little. Its about now and as I say our infrastructure is to plan for the future.

As Cloudy says there is expectation, but so what, I think thats good. If the Cowley's fail, we will move on, we will be a better attraction now, Crowds, cash and training ground. The players we have moved on, allowed to move on had poor seasons or reached their ceiling. Danny said that we need better to go up, and the players records suggests we have.

As a silly old 8ugger I've never really seen Lincoln as rivals.  More like the occasionally annoying little brother.
But quite frankly, I'd rather be in their situation than ours at the moment. Yes we do appear to be moving slightly in the right direction. But the main drawback to Town making real improvements is still in place!!!   The daft thing is, that it wouldn't take much to ignite the spark  Positive news on the new ground and a half decent cup run could really help turn things here around.  Imagine if we somehow got a new Chairman in the MJ mould. !!!!

Before RS went, I genuinely couldn't see me going to more than half a dozen games this season.  Now, here I am thinking of buying a half season ticket.  Decided against it as I may be out of action for a couple of months, but it was a serious option.

I don't particularly wish Lincoln harm, but if they do become established at finishing above us it will mean we can go no lower in terms of League clubs in our area. And that would be a very sad day indeed.    UTM

Quoted from nealeardleyscrossing

Its about now though isn't it. Don't mean to sound patronising, but history means very little. Its about now and as I say our infrastructure is to plan for the future.

As Cloudy says there is expectation, but so what, I think thats good. If the Cowley's fail, we will move on, we will be a better attraction now, Crowds, cash and training ground. The players we have moved on, allowed to move on had poor seasons or reached their ceiling. Danny said that we need better to go up, and the players records suggests we have.

I wish Lincoln no ill, I hope they do well, but really i’m Only interested in the town doing well.
I hope we can get things really going in a positive direction with the club, pretty much as Lincoln seem to have managed.

UTM

Would I prefer Lincoln to do well rather than MKDons or Cabbage Patch Rovers, damn right I would.

If you can be objective you have to say that Lincoln look damn good prospects to be right up there challenging for promotion.

Quoted from chaos33

If you can be objective you have to say that Lincoln look damn good prospects to be right up there challenging for promotion.

Couldn't agree more and so they should be considering g the investment made

Indeed.