Randy Bumgardener
AKA Randy Bumgardener
Right'o chaps and chapesses. Lets reflect on a few of my minor observations on why we should be positive EVEN if we don't make the playoffs.
Pre-season - The players haven't had a Billy pre-season. I remember last time, that when he got his first full season on the go the players came back looking fitter, sharper and more hungry than ever. It has been well documented how tough, but enjoyable his sessions are. Remember when he sent them away with program to work to a few years back? I expect a similar vein again.
Signings - The chaps who came in last year 'I seem to remember' came fairly late-on so didnt get a full summer or pre-season. We know Fawaz will back Billy and I expect a lot of new faces in to supplement the current squad and strengthen the already identified weak areas. We have a very strong core, and with a few quality additions will be there next season. Derbyshire and Miller will have the opportunity to prove themselves. If they don't they will be out. Can Billy spot something that could turn one of them into a vital part of our team? Who knows, derbyshire could be our 20 goal per season striker if used correctly (I know, I'm sceptical too).
Current situation - To say that we would be disappointed to not reach the playoffs is a testament to how far we have come since Billy came back. I want us to get there, but not disheartened. Part of me knows we aren't quite ready yet. Can we argue that the players are looking just knackered mentally and physically? With the rollercoaster this season, the amount of different training regime's and techniques they have had to adapt under the several leaderships must be quite traumatic. Even the fact Billy will not lambast them in the media for mistakes says a lot I think.
Infrastructure - The academy has been heavily funded to push it into one of the top youth venues in the country. The TV's are in and in the summer no doubt there will be heavy improvements to maximise what we currently have. The staff have been rearranged and suddenly I feel the club is more 'professional'. The scouting team has been radically altered and I can't wait to see some of their recommendations put into place over the coming months.
Look, I'm gutted about recent results but I'm also feeling rather reflective about the whole season and it has been knackering for everyone. Who could of imagined when we were sat on a winless streak under McCleish that now we would be cursing the fact we could miss the playoffs? Certain players have come to fruitition in recent months, Lansbury missed the entire pre-season through injury but is looking like an absolute bargain after almost being written off. Whatever happens over the last few games, lets not let it cloud some of the magnificent strides that have been made.
Pre-season - The players haven't had a Billy pre-season. I remember last time, that when he got his first full season on the go the players came back looking fitter, sharper and more hungry than ever. It has been well documented how tough, but enjoyable his sessions are. Remember when he sent them away with program to work to a few years back? I expect a similar vein again.
Signings - The chaps who came in last year 'I seem to remember' came fairly late-on so didnt get a full summer or pre-season. We know Fawaz will back Billy and I expect a lot of new faces in to supplement the current squad and strengthen the already identified weak areas. We have a very strong core, and with a few quality additions will be there next season. Derbyshire and Miller will have the opportunity to prove themselves. If they don't they will be out. Can Billy spot something that could turn one of them into a vital part of our team? Who knows, derbyshire could be our 20 goal per season striker if used correctly (I know, I'm sceptical too).
Current situation - To say that we would be disappointed to not reach the playoffs is a testament to how far we have come since Billy came back. I want us to get there, but not disheartened. Part of me knows we aren't quite ready yet. Can we argue that the players are looking just knackered mentally and physically? With the rollercoaster this season, the amount of different training regime's and techniques they have had to adapt under the several leaderships must be quite traumatic. Even the fact Billy will not lambast them in the media for mistakes says a lot I think.
Infrastructure - The academy has been heavily funded to push it into one of the top youth venues in the country. The TV's are in and in the summer no doubt there will be heavy improvements to maximise what we currently have. The staff have been rearranged and suddenly I feel the club is more 'professional'. The scouting team has been radically altered and I can't wait to see some of their recommendations put into place over the coming months.
Look, I'm gutted about recent results but I'm also feeling rather reflective about the whole season and it has been knackering for everyone. Who could of imagined when we were sat on a winless streak under McCleish that now we would be cursing the fact we could miss the playoffs? Certain players have come to fruitition in recent months, Lansbury missed the entire pre-season through injury but is looking like an absolute bargain after almost being written off. Whatever happens over the last few games, lets not let it cloud some of the magnificent strides that have been made.
