Half way point reflections

[Carnabyswhiskers]

23 games, 40 points. Goal difference slightly positive. Is this where you expected us to be at this stage back in August? How could / should it go from here?
Personal view: better than I had expected. I thought we would be stronger than last year for more experience in young players, but not top six. Next half season: in a club with sane, intelligent ownership, we would be building on a promising start to target certainly a playoff place, or with recruitment even automatic. As it is, with an absence of leadership from the owners and the constant threat of the dilution of the squad strength in January, there is a danger of tail-off or even - if they go mad with sales - of tailspin. In addition, unlike most clubs, we have to factor in the possibility of points deductions: Administration, if it happened, would I think be a -12 point hit, then there could be smaller deductions for missing tax or salary payments. Today we stand 20 points clear of relegation (although Crawley in 21st have a game in hand on us). More masochism from the owners and that cushion could easily be eroded.
Overall, I look at it and grieve at yet another missed opportunity to build something really lasting with a talented group of players, around whom realistically the middle of the Championship is attainable. That is even before we begin to acquire players from other clubs again.
Summary: should be looking to push on. Looking instead to survive.

[Hound]

Any kind of normal owner plus a couple of shrewd signings and we’d be up with Wycombe

As it is we’re in danger of losing another group of extremely talented Academy lads and just hoping we are still here next season

We’ve done superbly well in the circumstances, no complaints at all

[Snowflake Royal]

Roughly where I expected with a takeover. Much better than I expected with Dai still in charge. Which tbh was out of business by now.

[Stranded]

First half of the season has been mostly excellent especially in comparison to what we have had to put up with for the last few years - go into all games thinking we can win this rather than avoiding defeat being a bonus.

I simply will not make any predictions on the rest of the season until we get to Feb 1st and can judge the squad.

At the moment, we have to target at least a point at Charlton and then see what the squad looks like by the time we host Stockport on the 18th as to how we progress from there - if we are going to lose players it will either be in that 2 week window or right at the close of the window.

[The Royal Forester]

First half of the season has been mostly excellent especially in comparison to what we have had to put up with for the last few years - go into all games thinking we can win this rather than avoiding defeat being a bonus.

I simply will not make any predictions on the rest of the season until we get to Feb 1st and can judge the squad.

At the moment, we have to target at least a point at Charlton and then see what the squad looks like by the time we host Stockport on the 18th as to how we progress from there - if we are going to lose players it will either be in that 2 week window or right at the close of the window.

You won't to be able to relax on Feb. 1st. Window shuts at 23.00 on Monday 3rd. Feb. 2025.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

23 games, 40 points. Goal difference slightly positive. Is this where you expected us to be at this stage back in August? How could / should it go from here?
Personal view: better than I had expected. I thought we would be stronger than last year for more experience in young players, but not top six. Next half season: in a club with sane, intelligent ownership, we would be building on a promising start to target certainly a playoff place, or with recruitment even automatic. As it is, with an absence of leadership from the owners and the constant threat of the dilution of the squad strength in January, there is a danger of tail-off or even - if they go mad with sales - of tailspin. In addition, unlike most clubs, we have to factor in the possibility of points deductions: Administration, if it happened, would I think be a -12 point hit, then there could be smaller deductions for missing tax or salary payments. Today we stand 20 points clear of relegation (although Crawley in 21st have a game in hand on us). More masochism from the owners and that cushion could easily be eroded.
Overall, I look at it and grieve at yet another missed opportunity to build something really lasting with a talented group of players, around whom realistically the middle of the Championship is attainable. That is even before we begin to acquire players from other clubs again.
Summary: should be looking to push on. Looking instead to survive.

Way better than expected with the current ownership still in place. Subject to not going into administration we already look safe from relegation with just half the season gone. Whether we can maintain it we will know by Feb as stated by others, but even with this side we could miss out on the play offs, there are 4 or 5 strong contenders below us capable of putting together a decent run. I'd include Charlton who we play tomorrow amongst those sides.

I'm not sure mid Championship is attainable even if we could sign a couple more players. Its a big step up, look at last season's promoted sides. We've benefitted in this league from having an academy probably superior to any one else's and this has meant that injuries have not affected us as much as others. I'm not sure those players coming in are ready for the Championship.

[blythspartan]

Exceeded all my expectations so far. I thought if Dai was still the owner we’d be toast or at best in a relegation battle.

It’s really hats off to the recruitment done in the summer of 2023 and our academy players rising to the challenge of League One football.

Hopefully, the second half of the season will see us get new owners. Promotion would be amazing, but would be happy with a top half finish and new owners.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Delighted with on the pitch results. Gutted that nothing has changed off the pitch.

If a takeover does somehow happen and we keep the bulk of the squad together (realistically only losing Bindon and using his sale to keep us afloat), promotion next season is definitely on.

[Clyde1998]

We're doing better on the pitch than I expected. I always thought our strongest XI could compete for the top six, but was concerned about squad depth - especially at full-back, on the wing and up front. I thought mid-table was the most likely outcome, with a risk we could be further down the division.

Very disappointed the takeover hasn't happened yet and feel this is what will blow up our season - most likely through us requiring player sales this month, although potentially through further points deductions.

[stealthpapes]

I always thought our strongest XI could compete for the top six, but was concerned about squad depth - especially at full-back, on the wing and up front.

Quite.
We've spent most of the season with a midfielder at right back.
We've been mildly lucky with our wide players - Camara has broadly stepped up, Campbell has steadily improved.
I do not know what we would do if Smith was out for any length of time ...

[SouthDownsRoyal]

On the pitch, much better than I expected.

Off the pitch, exactly where I expected to be.

[Snowflake Royal]

I always thought our strongest XI could compete for the top six, but was concerned about squad depth - especially at full-back, on the wing and up front.

Quite.
We've spent most of the season with a midfielder at right back.
We've been mildly lucky with our wide players - Camara has broadly stepped up, Campbell has steadily improved.
I do not know what we would do if Smith was out for any length of time ...

On Smith, I think we'd be broadly ok. Knibbs is on 8, with Wing and Savage on 4, so goals are coming decently. Wareham could be a nuisance and chip in a few too. Ehibhatiomhan still to come back.

[Royal_jimmy]

Considering we've only signed one player I'd say we've definitely performed better than expected.

I think we've got a terrific crop of players who now have more experience behind them. If we can keep this lot together and get a new owner in who will pay the bills and fund replacements for stars who go I reckon we'll be fighting for promotion next season.

I certainly don't expect us to stay in the playoffs, I reckon 7th or 8th due to a lack of squad depth.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Considering we've only signed one player I'd say we've definitely performed better than expected.

I think we've got a terrific crop of players who now have more experience behind them. If we can keep this lot together and get a new owner in who will pay the bills and fund replacements for stars who go I reckon we'll be fighting for promotion next season.

I certainly don't expect us to stay in the playoffs, I reckon 7th or 8th due to a lack of squad depth.

Dropping one place isn’t bad Jimmy