What a Differance a Year Makes

At the beginning of last season, I did predict another promotion, a better home form and it might have been the case. So with all these new signings at an early stage, Hurst knows who he wants and has got them.

Retained the right players and improved the squad with the new players; only needs a keeper and we're set. So it's definitely promotion this year and League 1 here we come.

A year ago we were only 3 weeks into our summer break and less than 5 weeks away from our first league game. This time around we’ve been finished precisely 7 weeks, and have another 6 to go; whilst we’ve also known which league we’d be playing in for about 6 months.

In terms of preparation, the circumstances are night and day, and you can see and feel that already in our recruitment. A year ago today, I think I’m correct in saying that the only new players we’d signed were Maher and Orsi.

The extra time at our disposal, the extra money on the back of the cup run and our highest average gate in decades, the improved infrastructure and the partial restoration of the club’s reputation put us in such a better position it’s absolutely unreal.

When you look back at where we were last summer, I really do think that an 11th place finish and an FA Cup quarter final were absolutely remarkable achievements. But then, the fact that Hurst managed to achieve something tangible during the Fenty years was also incredibly remarkable.

I feel Paul Hurst is the sort of manager who, if you give him the right tools and the right environment to work in, will deliver and then some. It’s going to be a very tough league next season, but I am confident of a top 7 finish and genuinely wouldn’t rule out top 3.

I think fans of other League Two clubs might look at that kind of statement and consider it fanciful; the typical kind of bias that most fan bases exhibit during those hopeful summer weeks as the season approaches. But I consider myself fairly realistic; I just don’t see why the transformation that is clearly happening off the pitch won’t be reflected on it.

This will be big season. Mark my words.

Quoted from Poojah

A year ago we were only 3 weeks into our summer break and less than 5 weeks away from our first league game. This time around we’ve been finished precisely 7 weeks, and have another 6 to go; whilst we’ve also known which league we’d be playing in for about 6 months.

In terms of preparation, the circumstances are night and day, and you can see and feel that already in our recruitment. A year ago today, I think I’m correct in saying that the only new players we’d signed were Maher and Orsi.

The extra time at our disposal, the extra money on the back of the cup run and our highest average gate in decades, the improved infrastructure and the partial restoration of the club’s reputation put us in such a better position it’s absolutely unreal.

When you look back at where we were last summer, I really do think that an 11th place finish and an FA Cup quarter final were absolutely remarkable achievements. But then, the fact that Hurst managed to achieve something tangible during the Fenty years was also incredibly remarkable.

I feel Paul Hurst is the sort of manager who, if you give him the right tools and the right environment to work in, will deliver and then some. It’s going to be a very tough league next season, but I am confident of a top 7 finish and genuinely wouldn’t rule out top 3.

I think fans of other League Two clubs might look at that kind of statement and consider it fanciful; the typical kind of bias that most fan bases exhibit during those hopeful summer weeks as the season approaches. But I consider myself fairly realistic; I just don’t see why the transformation that is clearly happening off the pitch won’t be reflected on it.

This will be big season. Mark my words.

Nobody, barring the most hardcore and optimistic Carlisle fan saw them finish in the plays at the start of the season…anything is possible, and surely, pre season is the right time to make huge, bold statements…

Totally agree with the positive sentiments. I am normally optimistic about Town but it is often more in hope than based on hard facts.

But this time I feel optimism is based on a solid foundation. A string of promising signings, better finances, the club held in higher esteem than for many years, and owners we can trust.

We have had two amazing seasons and I am very confident that there is more to come. I think top 7 is definitely possible this season.

Quoted from DB

At the beginning of last season, I did predict another promotion, a better home form and it might have been the case. So with all these new signings at an early stage, Hurst knows who he wants and has got them.

Retained the right players and improved the squad with the new players; only needs a keeper and we're set. So it's definitely promotion this year and League 1 here we come.

Come on DB. That is a little pessimistic for you! How about a treble? Title, League Cup and FA Cup?

Quoted from smokey111

Come on DB. That is a little pessimistic for you! How about a treble? Title, League Cup and FA Cup?

You must have missed my optimistic and enthusiastic posts from a few months (Years) ago.

Another trip to Wembley is on the cards.

The best way to get promoted .

Quoted from DB

You must have missed my optimistic and enthusiastic posts from a few months (Years) ago.

I never miss them. You are an eternal optimist. Only Pep can stop a GTFC 2024 treble!

Quoted from Poojah

A year ago we were only 3 weeks into our summer break and less than 5 weeks away from our first league game. This time around we’ve been finished precisely 7 weeks, and have another 6 to go; whilst we’ve also known which league we’d be playing in for about 6 months.

In terms of preparation, the circumstances are night and day, and you can see and feel that already in our recruitment. A year ago today, I think I’m correct in saying that the only new players we’d signed were Maher and Orsi.

The extra time at our disposal, the extra money on the back of the cup run and our highest average gate in decades, the improved infrastructure and the partial restoration of the club’s reputation put us in such a better position it’s absolutely unreal.

When you look back at where we were last summer, I really do think that an 11th place finish and an FA Cup quarter final were absolutely remarkable achievements. But then, the fact that Hurst managed to achieve something tangible during the Fenty years was also incredibly remarkable.

I feel Paul Hurst is the sort of manager who, if you give him the right tools and the right environment to work in, will deliver and then some. It’s going to be a very tough league next season, but I am confident of a top 7 finish and genuinely wouldn’t rule out top 3.

I think fans of other League Two clubs might look at that kind of statement and consider it fanciful; the typical kind of bias that most fan bases exhibit during those hopeful summer weeks as the season approaches. But I consider myself fairly realistic; I just don’t see why the transformation that is clearly happening off the pitch won’t be reflected on it.

This will be big season. Mark my words.

Excellent post. I would go as far as saying last season was an excellent season with or without considering the circumstances surrounding the limited close season that Hurst had to deal  with. Top half finish and a freakishly good run in the cup blew away everything we've seen for almost 20 years.

We've gone through a period (hopefully) where we've won less than one in three games at the lowest level of the professional game. That's the marker to judge last season on. I think we've emerged from that hole, hopefully never to return! Exciting times ahead.

I agree with Grimsby Pete...
We will.make the play offs this year and play at Wembly.
These new owners are winners and it will carry on...
It will be tight but we will get promoted... I am sure of it...

Quoted from Poojah

A year ago we were only 3 weeks into our summer break and less than 5 weeks away from our first league game. This time around we’ve been finished precisely 7 weeks, and have another 6 to go; whilst we’ve also known which league we’d be playing in for about 6 months.

In terms of preparation, the circumstances are night and day, and you can see and feel that already in our recruitment. A year ago today, I think I’m correct in saying that the only new players we’d signed were Maher and Orsi.

The extra time at our disposal, the extra money on the back of the cup run and our highest average gate in decades, the improved infrastructure and the partial restoration of the club’s reputation put us in such a better position it’s absolutely unreal.

When you look back at where we were last summer, I really do think that an 11th place finish and an FA Cup quarter final were absolutely remarkable achievements. But then, the fact that Hurst managed to achieve something tangible during the Fenty years was also incredibly remarkable.

I feel Paul Hurst is the sort of manager who, if you give him the right tools and the right environment to work in, will deliver and then some. It’s going to be a very tough league next season, but I am confident of a top 7 finish and genuinely wouldn’t rule out top 3.

I think fans of other League Two clubs might look at that kind of statement and consider it fanciful; the typical kind of bias that most fan bases exhibit during those hopeful summer weeks as the season approaches. But I consider myself fairly realistic; I just don’t see why the transformation that is clearly happening off the pitch won’t be reflected on it.

This will be big season. Mark my words.

Like every fan I hope your assessment is correct,  but a word of caution. Our transformation off the pitch is derigour for most professional clubs, so it's not that we are ahead of the curve.

Let's hope Hurst has got the blend right. At least our signings have put to bed the ridiculous notion that players won't come to Grimsby from big cities, prettier towns or how many eateries we've got.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Like every fan I hope your assessment is correct,  but a word of caution. Our transformation off the pitch is derigour for most professional clubs, so it's not that we are ahead of the curve.

Let's hope Hurst has got the blend right. At least our signings have put to bed the ridiculous notion that players won't come to Grimsby from big cities, prettier towns or how many eateries we've got.

I wasn’t for a moment inferring that we were ahead of the curve, merely that we are at least just about in sight of the curve now and we have a man in the dugout who has done wonders without the ‘luxuries’ now at his disposal.

I’d like to think I can back up my confidence with reasonable evidence to support it.

]We should advertise to potential signings, that we are a club on the up, with a rich heritage,  house prices are low, the sea air is healthy for you and the fish and chips are top quality.

We also develop and encourage players to reach their full potential.  We also pay our support staff a decent wage (along with Luton).  Only Town now in the EFL.

I have to remind myself that I’m on my annual pre-season wave of optimism. It happens most years and inevitably ends in bitter disappointment (maybe not always bitter), so I try  and find some balance. I was reading another L2 forum earlier this week and it made the point that most fans greet new signings with great joy despite never having seen them play or even heard of them
I’m genuinely excited about the upcoming season and hope that we’ve uncovered some gems, but this is a much stronger league than last year. Play offs would be a good season in my opinion

Quoted from buckstown

I have to remind myself that I’m on my annual pre-season wave of optimism. It happens most years and inevitably ends in bitter disappointment (maybe not always bitter), so I try  and find some balance. I was reading another L2 forum earlier this week and it made the point that most fans greet new signings with great joy despite never having seen them play or even heard of them
I’m genuinely excited about the upcoming season and hope that we’ve uncovered some gems, but this is a much stronger league than last year. Play offs would be a good season in my opinion

Ah you should practise Hopetemism.