2026-27 Pre Season

[stv]

1 hour ago, MJC said:

It’s more likely than not that next season won’t be the same as 25/26 in terms of quality of football and overall league performance and as I’ve already said that’s fine. It would be a very tall order, unrealistic even to expect it to be the same.

However if we are humiliated in Europe which is a distinct possibility and start the season on the back foot from the word go and our domestic form is also poor resulting in us involved in the relegation dogfight, or worse actually being in the playoffs or relegated, then that will be hard to be looked on as anything other than a disaster of a campaign.

On the other hand a solid if unremarkable season with a league finish anywhere between 6th and 10th wouldn’t be disastrous.

If ma auntie had baws she'd be ma uncle.

[MJC]

10 minutes ago, stv said:

If ma auntie had baws she'd be made uncle.

Great input. 👍 

[wellsince75]

At the moment it's underwhelming. 

On the downside
Top manager leaving + top players left/leaving + small squad + injuries are a tough part of the equation.  

One the upside 
Adding Alfred + 3 signings by mid July. 

Observations 
Injuries to Jonny, SOD, McGinn, Hendry & McGhee - no suprises there ,majority often pick up injures or getting on. 

Conclusion 
None of the above was unknown or surprising. What we've to date secured isn't sufficient.   

Without a competitive ball being kicked it's very difficult  outline how we'll be competitive for top 6.

Hoping and willing to be impressed with a surge of quality coming through the door but so far it's underwhelming. 


 

[MelvinBragg]

2 hours ago, wellfan said:

I suppose disaster is subjective here. For me, going out of the UCL at the first hurdle, given who we're playing and what this team achieved last season, would be a disaster. Especially as I think it would negatively colour the rest of the season before it's even begun.

I think you need to look up the word 'disappointment'. I think you'll find it fits the bill more than 'disaster' for what you're describing...

[stv]

1 hour ago, MJC said:

Great input. 👍 

That's exactly what ma auntie used to say to ma uncle of an evening.

[MJC]

7 minutes ago, stv said:

That's exactly what ma auntie used to say to ma uncle of an evening.

She wouldn’t have if she had baws though.

[twistandshout1983]

While I don't think this season will be a bad one for us,  I do have a vibe we won't see the levels we seen last season.  Not an issue for me as we were exceptional for large parts of the season.  Alfred does have a big job on his hands.

If we have a slow start to the season I just hope the fans stick with us

I do think we should have enough to see off HB over 2 games  

[weeyin]

With the timing of the window, I don't even bother trying to assess the team and its outlook until September. 

 

[wellfan]

33 minutes ago, MelvinBragg said:

I think you need to look up the word 'disappointment'. I think you'll find it fits the bill more than 'disaster' for what you're describing...

I don’t need a dictionary. We’re discussing football, and I’m well aware of the difference between disappointment and disaster. I just happen to think an immediate UCL exit in these circumstances would be a disaster for our season. You’re free to disagree.

[stv]

12 minutes ago, MJC said:

She wouldn’t have if she had baws though.

That was pre-op 😬

[Spiderpig]

3 hours ago, wellfan said:

I suppose disaster is subjective here. For me, going out of the UCL at the first hurdle, given who we're playing and what this team achieved last season, would be a disaster. Especially as I think it would negatively colour the rest of the season before it's even begun.

I can accept your point re another early Euro exit and i agree that its effect on the team, fans and the clubs standing in Europe etc would not be good, However i cant see it as a disaster, when we could potentially go on and win a trophy, get another top 6 finish etc.

For me it would be a setback, dissapointing, a blip on the progress we made under JBA last year, maybe even embarassing if it was a really bad result, but its how you respond to events like that that defines you so if we do make a James Hunt of it against Havnar then judge its impact next May as its where you are at the end of the season that matters, not the start.

[Onthefringes]

5 hours ago, wellfan said:

Predictably, any hint of concern on this forum is dismissed with the usual pantwetting patter. I suppose that's easier for those with the self-awareness and critical faculties of a toddler than actually engaging with the points being made.

Suppose all you like.

That poster is incessant and deserves calling out.

There is no engagement with some as the takes get ever wilder. If folks don’t realise how the club focus in operation after the year past, they never will.

[weeyin]

2 hours ago, Spiderpig said:

I can accept your point re another early Euro exit and i agree that its effect on the team, fans and the clubs standing in Europe etc would not be good, However i cant see it as a disaster, when we could potentially go on and win a trophy, get another top 6 finish etc.

For me it would be a setback, dissapointing, a blip on the progress we made under JBA last year, maybe even embarassing if it was a really bad result, but its how you respond to events like that that defines you so if we do make a James Hunt of it against Havnar then judge its impact next May as its where you are at the end of the season that matters, not the start.

One of our best league seasons was when Albion Rovers put us out the cup. I certainly won't be writing off next season if we perform poorly against HB.