Three weeks to go

In 22 days time the new season starts.  We travel to Colchester, a likely tough test and certain long journey.  We will have little to base any sentiments upon, as there is only one public ‘friendly’ against Wigan. We will only have an idea about the strengths and weaknesses in the season ahead after we see the team that kicks off at the beginning of August.

On the one hand I get why we are not having more matches. It costs money to open up the ground, distribute tickets and organise match security.  Yet the club are running an open day this coming Sunday, presumably the costs are budgeted for. Yet, in the final analysis, pre-season friendlies build an interest in the club. They might even encourage a few first timers to take up a,season card. 

The squad still isn’t there. Most people think we need another forward. There is a general acceptance that Kris Dennis did OK towards the end of last season, but he is at the age where he is going to pick up injuries.  Davison and Saunders aren’t quite up to the standard we need. We look like we might be going into the new campaign taking a risk. The transfer window is open until 1st September. It remains to be seem what deals will be done in that period, but we have a month of the season to evaluate what else might be needed.

I doubt that we will be the worse or second worse in the coming season.  My optimism is based upon the results Andy Crosby delivered last season with an inherited squad. I don’t see us pushing for promotion and suspect we will hover around the bottom third. Given the financial uncertainty around the club this will be no mean achievement, but I suspect it’s not what Andy signed up for. It’s probably not what some of our new players also joined for.

Meanwhile, the open day. A chance to grab a beer in the tent, mooch around Prenton Park, get a bit more excited about what comes next.

Enjoy!

All views expressed are personal.