Ambitious

League One is a melting pot of smaller clubs who are relatively well run and then bigger clubs who are down there for a reason. It's an enjoyable league for the match-going fan and with 49 wins in two seasons there has been plenty of happy Saturdays, albeit those wins (a lot of the time) feel more like 'job done' than enjoyable and anything other than a win feels like we're playing well below ourselves. 
In two seasons we've probably been the underdog by the bookies in less than 10 of our 92 games which underpins the level of expectation. Expectation ultimately drains the joy out of football.
in hindsight, it's been an enjoyable experience (of sorts) but I'm in no rush to experience it again. 

Another table after the Stevenage game
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In terms of impactful signings, Ebou has etched his name into Rams folklore because without him I don’t doubt for a single minute that we wouldn’t have been promoted automatically. He’s been absolutely phenomenal for us. 
At first there was Osman, then there was Thorne, followed by the trio of Mount, Wilson and Tomori.. now there is Ebou Adams.

In terms of impactful signings, Ebou has etched his name into Rams folklore because without him I don’t doubt for a single minute that we wouldn’t have been promoted automatically. He’s been absolutely phenomenal for us. 
At first there was Osman, then there was Thorne, followed by the trio of Mount, Wilson and Tomori.. now there is Ebou Adams.

In terms of impactful signings, Ebou has etched his name into Rams folklore because without him I don’t doubt for a single minute that we wouldn’t have been promoted automatically. He’s been absolutely phenomenal for us. 
At first there was Osman, then there was Thorne, followed by the trio of Mount, Wilson and Tomori.. now there is Ebou Adams.

In terms of impactful signings, Ebou has etched his name into Rams folklore because without him I don’t doubt for a single minute that we wouldn’t have been promoted automatically. He’s been absolutely phenomenal for us. 
At first there was Osman, then there was Thorne, followed by the trio of Mount, Wilson and Tomori.. now there is Ebou Adams.

In terms of impactful signings, Ebou has etched his name into Rams folklore because without him I don’t doubt for a single minute that we wouldn’t have been promoted automatically. He’s been absolutely phenomenal for us. 
At first there was Osman, then there was Thorne, followed by the trio of Mount, Wilson and Tomori.. now there is Ebou Adams.

League One is a melting pot of smaller clubs who are relatively well run and then bigger clubs who are down there for a reason. It's an enjoyable league for the match-going fan and with 49 wins in two seasons there has been plenty of happy Saturdays, albeit those wins (a lot of the time) feel more like 'job done' than enjoyable and anything other than a win feels like we're playing well below ourselves. 
In two seasons we've probably been the underdog by the bookies in less than 10 of our 92 games which underpins the level of expectation. Expectation ultimately drains the joy out of football.
in hindsight, it's been an enjoyable experience (of sorts) but I'm in no rush to experience it again. 

League One is a melting pot of smaller clubs who are relatively well run and then bigger clubs who are down there for a reason. It's an enjoyable league for the match-going fan and with 49 wins in two seasons there has been plenty of happy Saturdays, albeit those wins (a lot of the time) feel more like 'job done' than enjoyable and anything other than a win feels like we're playing well below ourselves. 
In two seasons we've probably been the underdog by the bookies in less than 10 of our 92 games which underpins the level of expectation. Expectation ultimately drains the joy out of football.
in hindsight, it's been an enjoyable experience (of sorts) but I'm in no rush to experience it again. 

League One is a melting pot of smaller clubs who are relatively well run and then bigger clubs who are down there for a reason. It's an enjoyable league for the match-going fan and with 49 wins in two seasons there has been plenty of happy Saturdays, albeit those wins (a lot of the time) feel more like 'job done' than enjoyable and anything other than a win feels like we're playing well below ourselves. 
In two seasons we've probably been the underdog by the bookies in less than 10 of our 92 games which underpins the level of expectation. Expectation ultimately drains the joy out of football.
in hindsight, it's been an enjoyable experience (of sorts) but I'm in no rush to experience it again. 

In terms of impactful signings, Ebou has etched his name into Rams folklore because without him I don’t doubt for a single minute that we wouldn’t have been promoted automatically. He’s been absolutely phenomenal for us. 
At first there was Osman, then there was Thorne, followed by the trio of Mount, Wilson and Tomori.. now there is Ebou Adams.

In terms of impactful signings, Ebou has etched his name into Rams folklore because without him I don’t doubt for a single minute that we wouldn’t have been promoted automatically. He’s been absolutely phenomenal for us. 
At first there was Osman, then there was Thorne, followed by the trio of Mount, Wilson and Tomori.. now there is Ebou Adams.

In terms of impactful signings, Ebou has etched his name into Rams folklore because without him I don’t doubt for a single minute that we wouldn’t have been promoted automatically. He’s been absolutely phenomenal for us. 
At first there was Osman, then there was Thorne, followed by the trio of Mount, Wilson and Tomori.. now there is Ebou Adams.

Hate this idea, it gives a team in the Premier League who has been able to enjoy the fruits of £150m plus revenues to snatch the same chance away from a championship club who are probably turning over £20-25m (if not already subsidised by parachute payments).
Last season it would’ve matched Luton with their £18m turnover and £24m wage bill (a lot of which would’ve been promotion bonus payouts) against Leicester with their £177m turnover and their £171m wage bill. 
It’s bad enough with 5 parachute payment clubs in the top 6 this season. It’s already becoming an ever-increasingly difficult proposition for non-parachute payment clubs to compete - this makes it much more difficult. 

Realistically, about 80% of our summer signings will cover only two positions - CM & ST. 
I suspect with promotion we make roughly 12-14 signings just looking at the squad, you're potentially looking at: 
4 or 5 signings not in these positions - GK (maybe 2 depending on Wildsmith), left back, centre back & wide midfielder.
You're then looking at least 7 potentially up to 9 players who play CM & ST.
If we nail the recruitment in that area then it will make a big difference, not to paraphrase the Roses but until Ebou I was never happy. Bird, gone, Hourihane, retired, Smith & Thompson, out of contract. Ebou, back to Cardiff. Ignoring we had Embleton for this position, albeit not really and Sibley (also out of contract) who hasn't really played here anyway under Warne. There are 5 (7) players who play in this position potentially out the door this summer. 
Similarly upfront: Gayle, Waghorn & Collins out of contract. TJJ out of contract, no deal lined up. It leaves Washington who has struggled to hold down a place in League One, blighted by injuries. 
The players leaving in those positions, I would argue need to be improved up - particularly upfront. Gayle speed of thought was nice in League One, but he's struggled in the Championship of late. Collins and Waghorn (for me) are done at being impactful players at that level.
The rebuild is huge, but ultimately focused in two key areas that will determine our relative success. 

The opportunity to win promotion at Pride Park, in front of a sell out crowd, after what the club has essentially gone through the last four years, is something that could create memories that will last a lifetime.
If, and hopefully when it happens, I'll definitely spare a thought for B4 and others who marched through the city to help keep the club alive but sadly won't be here to see this significant step in our rebuilding process. 

Realistically, about 80% of our summer signings will cover only two positions - CM & ST. 
I suspect with promotion we make roughly 12-14 signings just looking at the squad, you're potentially looking at: 
4 or 5 signings not in these positions - GK (maybe 2 depending on Wildsmith), left back, centre back & wide midfielder.
You're then looking at least 7 potentially up to 9 players who play CM & ST.
If we nail the recruitment in that area then it will make a big difference, not to paraphrase the Roses but until Ebou I was never happy. Bird, gone, Hourihane, retired, Smith & Thompson, out of contract. Ebou, back to Cardiff. Ignoring we had Embleton for this position, albeit not really and Sibley (also out of contract) who hasn't really played here anyway under Warne. There are 5 (7) players who play in this position potentially out the door this summer. 
Similarly upfront: Gayle, Waghorn & Collins out of contract. TJJ out of contract, no deal lined up. It leaves Washington who has struggled to hold down a place in League One, blighted by injuries. 
The players leaving in those positions, I would argue need to be improved up - particularly upfront. Gayle speed of thought was nice in League One, but he's struggled in the Championship of late. Collins and Waghorn (for me) are done at being impactful players at that level.
The rebuild is huge, but ultimately focused in two key areas that will determine our relative success. 

Hate this idea, it gives a team in the Premier League who has been able to enjoy the fruits of £150m plus revenues to snatch the same chance away from a championship club who are probably turning over £20-25m (if not already subsidised by parachute payments).
Last season it would’ve matched Luton with their £18m turnover and £24m wage bill (a lot of which would’ve been promotion bonus payouts) against Leicester with their £177m turnover and their £171m wage bill. 
It’s bad enough with 5 parachute payment clubs in the top 6 this season. It’s already becoming an ever-increasingly difficult proposition for non-parachute payment clubs to compete - this makes it much more difficult. 

Hate this idea, it gives a team in the Premier League who has been able to enjoy the fruits of £150m plus revenues to snatch the same chance away from a championship club who are probably turning over £20-25m (if not already subsidised by parachute payments).
Last season it would’ve matched Luton with their £18m turnover and £24m wage bill (a lot of which would’ve been promotion bonus payouts) against Leicester with their £177m turnover and their £171m wage bill. 
It’s bad enough with 5 parachute payment clubs in the top 6 this season. It’s already becoming an ever-increasingly difficult proposition for non-parachute payment clubs to compete - this makes it much more difficult. 

Hate this idea, it gives a team in the Premier League who has been able to enjoy the fruits of £150m plus revenues to snatch the same chance away from a championship club who are probably turning over £20-25m (if not already subsidised by parachute payments).
Last season it would’ve matched Luton with their £18m turnover and £24m wage bill (a lot of which would’ve been promotion bonus payouts) against Leicester with their £177m turnover and their £171m wage bill. 
It’s bad enough with 5 parachute payment clubs in the top 6 this season. It’s already becoming an ever-increasingly difficult proposition for non-parachute payment clubs to compete - this makes it much more difficult. 

Realistically, about 80% of our summer signings will cover only two positions - CM & ST. 
I suspect with promotion we make roughly 12-14 signings just looking at the squad, you're potentially looking at: 
4 or 5 signings not in these positions - GK (maybe 2 depending on Wildsmith), left back, centre back & wide midfielder.
You're then looking at least 7 potentially up to 9 players who play CM & ST.
If we nail the recruitment in that area then it will make a big difference, not to paraphrase the Roses but until Ebou I was never happy. Bird, gone, Hourihane, retired, Smith & Thompson, out of contract. Ebou, back to Cardiff. Ignoring we had Embleton for this position, albeit not really and Sibley (also out of contract) who hasn't really played here anyway under Warne. There are 5 (7) players who play in this position potentially out the door this summer. 
Similarly upfront: Gayle, Waghorn & Collins out of contract. TJJ out of contract, no deal lined up. It leaves Washington who has struggled to hold down a place in League One, blighted by injuries. 
The players leaving in those positions, I would argue need to be improved up - particularly upfront. Gayle speed of thought was nice in League One, but he's struggled in the Championship of late. Collins and Waghorn (for me) are done at being impactful players at that level.
The rebuild is huge, but ultimately focused in two key areas that will determine our relative success. 

Hate this idea, it gives a team in the Premier League who has been able to enjoy the fruits of £150m plus revenues to snatch the same chance away from a championship club who are probably turning over £20-25m (if not already subsidised by parachute payments).
Last season it would’ve matched Luton with their £18m turnover and £24m wage bill (a lot of which would’ve been promotion bonus payouts) against Leicester with their £177m turnover and their £171m wage bill. 
It’s bad enough with 5 parachute payment clubs in the top 6 this season. It’s already becoming an ever-increasingly difficult proposition for non-parachute payment clubs to compete - this makes it much more difficult. 

Missed that bit, but equally the gap between League One and the Championship is ever-growing and more significant year on year so wouldn’t be ideal either.
The playoffs typically keep the season alive too, it’s actually a very good system albeit can leave the team finishing third feeling robbed. 

Missed that bit, but equally the gap between League One and the Championship is ever-growing and more significant year on year so wouldn’t be ideal either.
The playoffs typically keep the season alive too, it’s actually a very good system albeit can leave the team finishing third feeling robbed. 

Hate this idea, it gives a team in the Premier League who has been able to enjoy the fruits of £150m plus revenues to snatch the same chance away from a championship club who are probably turning over £20-25m (if not already subsidised by parachute payments).
Last season it would’ve matched Luton with their £18m turnover and £24m wage bill (a lot of which would’ve been promotion bonus payouts) against Leicester with their £177m turnover and their £171m wage bill. 
It’s bad enough with 5 parachute payment clubs in the top 6 this season. It’s already becoming an ever-increasingly difficult proposition for non-parachute payment clubs to compete - this makes it much more difficult.