Ambitious

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

He’ll get a deal with a Premier League side, maybe a promoted side: Leicester, Ipswich, etc. 
I suspect most of our work will come through free agency, again, as there is a lot of players out of contract but will be a very competitive market. 
Players like Tyrese Campbell, Liam Cullen, Sinclair Armstrong & Chris Willock will be available but everyone will be in for them. We are going to need to be creative in our recruitment. 

We really need Peterborough to win mid-week to take this game seriously. We saw Oxford turn them over 5-0 and they’ve conceded 56 goals this season so they’ve got a problem keeping the ball out the net, I wouldn’t fancy them keeping the score down if they rest players against Bolton. Bolton really only need to win by three goals as they have the goal scored tiebreaker (should we lose). 
It helps the League One play-offs starts the following Friday (3rd placed) so you’d imagine that it will be situational based on their result, our result. If I’m Warne, I’m tempted to play the low block, keep things tight and hit Carlisle on the counter. Starve them of opportunities. Ultimately we only need a point and it makes no odds to Carlisle so we could play it out, slow the game right down. They’ve lost 16 of their last 21 games (2024 record). It’s been a limp finish from them. Give them a way out of getting a draw to end the season, don’t force the issue and give them an opportunity, just play it around and keep them at arms length. If they want to commit players then hit them on the counter, otherwise I would see if they would like a point and an unbeaten finish to the season.

As someone who hasn't been (and still isn't) completely sold on Warne, I do think he deserves a ton of credit for how he's navigated situations this season. Nyambe, Adams & Gayle in particular. Gayle was short-lived but he changed the dynamic to the point we were playing our best football. 
I have absolutely no problem with Warne's ability as a man-manager or as a tactician. In fact, I think he's probably one of the most astute tactical managers we have had in our modern era and I get why Clowes wanted to work with him. 
My worry is the coaching side, he's very good at creating short-cuts and drawing up schemes to catch teams cold. In both boxes, we are the best team in the league, but in the middle of the pitch we're significantly lacking and that's purely due to scheme. I think if (when) we go up to the Championship, it will need to be better and maybe that comes through better players. He said himself it's easier to coach in the Championship than League One and we have to take him at his word. 
If (when) we go up the standard is going to be avoiding a relegation battle which is difficult as you're either in a promotion hunt or in a relegation battle, unless you're Bristol City. I think that would be my goal for next season - to finish above Bristol City. It will probably mean we're out of a relegation battle. It would take a lot of surgery in the summer to make that jump (of course) but that's the standard. 
I do get the feeling, from listening to him, that he understands the scale of the jump and I actually have faith in him. The Championship is a rancid division in itself and it may play into his favour should he recruit well. 

As someone who hasn't been (and still isn't) completely sold on Warne, I do think he deserves a ton of credit for how he's navigated situations this season. Nyambe, Adams & Gayle in particular. Gayle was short-lived but he changed the dynamic to the point we were playing our best football. 
I have absolutely no problem with Warne's ability as a man-manager or as a tactician. In fact, I think he's probably one of the most astute tactical managers we have had in our modern era and I get why Clowes wanted to work with him. 
My worry is the coaching side, he's very good at creating short-cuts and drawing up schemes to catch teams cold. In both boxes, we are the best team in the league, but in the middle of the pitch we're significantly lacking and that's purely due to scheme. I think if (when) we go up to the Championship, it will need to be better and maybe that comes through better players. He said himself it's easier to coach in the Championship than League One and we have to take him at his word. 
If (when) we go up the standard is going to be avoiding a relegation battle which is difficult as you're either in a promotion hunt or in a relegation battle, unless you're Bristol City. I think that would be my goal for next season - to finish above Bristol City. It will probably mean we're out of a relegation battle. It would take a lot of surgery in the summer to make that jump (of course) but that's the standard. 
I do get the feeling, from listening to him, that he understands the scale of the jump and I actually have faith in him. The Championship is a rancid division in itself and it may play into his favour should he recruit well. 

We really need Peterborough to win mid-week to take this game seriously. We saw Oxford turn them over 5-0 and they’ve conceded 56 goals this season so they’ve got a problem keeping the ball out the net, I wouldn’t fancy them keeping the score down if they rest players against Bolton. Bolton really only need to win by three goals as they have the goal scored tiebreaker (should we lose). 
It helps the League One play-offs starts the following Friday (3rd placed) so you’d imagine that it will be situational based on their result, our result. If I’m Warne, I’m tempted to play the low block, keep things tight and hit Carlisle on the counter. Starve them of opportunities. Ultimately we only need a point and it makes no odds to Carlisle so we could play it out, slow the game right down. They’ve lost 16 of their last 21 games (2024 record). It’s been a limp finish from them. Give them a way out of getting a draw to end the season, don’t force the issue and give them an opportunity, just play it around and keep them at arms length. If they want to commit players then hit them on the counter, otherwise I would see if they would like a point and an unbeaten finish to the season.

One thing I know for sure: we aren't winning this game. We won't make it that easy and will go into the last game needing a win for promotion. 
Cambridge late penalty to draw or win the game - it's inevitable.

We've been paying Championship wages to players who were willing to jump down into League One. For reference, our wage bill in 22/23 was £6m higher than Rotherham - 170% We have increased the wage bill this season even further so could already be inline or greater than the likes of Preston (£18.8m). 
I would assume there is going to be even greater investment going into next season, but paying the wages hasn't been the problem. It's been the recruitment and how we have had to recruit. I'm excited (albeit nervous too) to see how the club approach it should we win promotion. 
I think there will be a whole host of changes and I think the club know that which is why they've put the brakes on new contracts for next season. I actually believe they understand the gravity of the task and the standard we will need to be at in order to be competitive. 

We've been paying Championship wages to players who were willing to jump down into League One. For reference, our wage bill in 22/23 was £6m higher than Rotherham - 170% We have increased the wage bill this season even further so could already be inline or greater than the likes of Preston (£18.8m). 
I would assume there is going to be even greater investment going into next season, but paying the wages hasn't been the problem. It's been the recruitment and how we have had to recruit. I'm excited (albeit nervous too) to see how the club approach it should we win promotion. 
I think there will be a whole host of changes and I think the club know that which is why they've put the brakes on new contracts for next season. I actually believe they understand the gravity of the task and the standard we will need to be at in order to be competitive. 

The concern I have is the level of player we would need to attract to the club would have to be substantial. 
We know players like Curtis Nelson, Ebou Adams, Mendez-Laing, who have been incredible for us at this level have all suffered in the Championship. Not to the point where they can't play, albeit Ebou is far from proven at that level, but where their impact is diminished. 
I would say we're very similar to the Sheffield Wednesday side who won promotion last season. Players like Josh Windass, Michael Smith, Barry Bannan, George Byers, Michael Ihiekwe & Will Vaulks all were key players in that side but none of them have managed the step-up with much class. 
Michael Smith had 50 goal contributions in his last two seasons in League One. He has four this season. Josh Windass and Barry Bannan had 39 goal contributions last season in League One - both have contributed to 7 in the Championship. 
If promoted, we would see some of our most assured, consistent performers at this level go back to looking human and become a cause of frustration. Ultimately, I have to have faith that the club know the size of the challenge ahead. It's an incredibly difficult market. 
Still, I feel that we would be in a good position knowing that we are looking at a relatively new blank canvas ahead of next season. I think Portsmouth, who recruited well for League One, but expanded the squad over the past 12 months will find the jump more demanding. 

The concern I have is the level of player we would need to attract to the club would have to be substantial. 
We know players like Curtis Nelson, Ebou Adams, Mendez-Laing, who have been incredible for us at this level have all suffered in the Championship. Not to the point where they can't play, albeit Ebou is far from proven at that level, but where their impact is diminished. 
I would say we're very similar to the Sheffield Wednesday side who won promotion last season. Players like Josh Windass, Michael Smith, Barry Bannan, George Byers, Michael Ihiekwe & Will Vaulks all were key players in that side but none of them have managed the step-up with much class. 
Michael Smith had 50 goal contributions in his last two seasons in League One. He has four this season. Josh Windass and Barry Bannan had 39 goal contributions last season in League One - both have contributed to 7 in the Championship. 
If promoted, we would see some of our most assured, consistent performers at this level go back to looking human and become a cause of frustration. Ultimately, I have to have faith that the club know the size of the challenge ahead. It's an incredibly difficult market. 
Still, I feel that we would be in a good position knowing that we are looking at a relatively new blank canvas ahead of next season. I think Portsmouth, who recruited well for League One, but expanded the squad over the past 12 months will find the jump more demanding. 

I do agree, but the wage bill last season was still significant. 
The wage bill last season at Derby (total) was larger than Sunderland during their promotion season which I assume also included promotion bonuses - and they had a category one academy.

My concern is that this season we are likely to post one of the highest, if not the highest ever wage bill recorded by a League One team. I think Ipswich 22-23 at £19.7m is currently the highest and that includes promotion bonuses. We could easily go over that with last season's wage bill at £17.2m. I suspect it will likely exceed £20m. 
This has to be it for Warne - make or break. If he doesn't win promotion then we go into another rebuild next season, ok without restrictions, but the club is already losing roughly £10m at this level from just standing still. I just don't see the appetite there for another Warne season - especially given the increases in season tickets which make us one of, if not THE, most expensive in the league. 
We miss out on promotion, which frankly will be through nothing but losing our own bottle and you're charging near on £600 for a season ticket on the West or East stand  next season. It's almost a given that you're going to have to replace managers in order to create a sense of excitement and a fresh start.
The very last thing the club need now is fans to stop turning up to games. 

My concern is that this season we are likely to post one of the highest, if not the highest ever wage bill recorded by a League One team. I think Ipswich 22-23 at £19.7m is currently the highest and that includes promotion bonuses. We could easily go over that with last season's wage bill at £17.2m. I suspect it will likely exceed £20m. 
This has to be it for Warne - make or break. If he doesn't win promotion then we go into another rebuild next season, ok without restrictions, but the club is already losing roughly £10m at this level from just standing still. I just don't see the appetite there for another Warne season - especially given the increases in season tickets which make us one of, if not THE, most expensive in the league. 
We miss out on promotion, which frankly will be through nothing but losing our own bottle and you're charging near on £600 for a season ticket on the West or East stand  next season. It's almost a given that you're going to have to replace managers in order to create a sense of excitement and a fresh start.
The very last thing the club need now is fans to stop turning up to games. 

My concern is that this season we are likely to post one of the highest, if not the highest ever wage bill recorded by a League One team. I think Ipswich 22-23 at £19.7m is currently the highest and that includes promotion bonuses. We could easily go over that with last season's wage bill at £17.2m. I suspect it will likely exceed £20m. 
This has to be it for Warne - make or break. If he doesn't win promotion then we go into another rebuild next season, ok without restrictions, but the club is already losing roughly £10m at this level from just standing still. I just don't see the appetite there for another Warne season - especially given the increases in season tickets which make us one of, if not THE, most expensive in the league. 
We miss out on promotion, which frankly will be through nothing but losing our own bottle and you're charging near on £600 for a season ticket on the West or East stand  next season. It's almost a given that you're going to have to replace managers in order to create a sense of excitement and a fresh start.
The very last thing the club need now is fans to stop turning up to games. 

My concern is that this season we are likely to post one of the highest, if not the highest ever wage bill recorded by a League One team. I think Ipswich 22-23 at £19.7m is currently the highest and that includes promotion bonuses. We could easily go over that with last season's wage bill at £17.2m. I suspect it will likely exceed £20m. 
This has to be it for Warne - make or break. If he doesn't win promotion then we go into another rebuild next season, ok without restrictions, but the club is already losing roughly £10m at this level from just standing still. I just don't see the appetite there for another Warne season - especially given the increases in season tickets which make us one of, if not THE, most expensive in the league. 
We miss out on promotion, which frankly will be through nothing but losing our own bottle and you're charging near on £600 for a season ticket on the West or East stand  next season. It's almost a given that you're going to have to replace managers in order to create a sense of excitement and a fresh start.
The very last thing the club need now is fans to stop turning up to games. 

Poor performance, but not totally unexpected. I would say that's roughly our average level of performance over the season - we simply are not a good football team to watch. 
Let's see how the weekend plays out before hitting the panic button, If we can get to a four point cushion over Bolton then we should get over the line. It's been jarring watching us since Gayle got injured, it honestly really has. 

Poor performance, but not totally unexpected. I would say that's roughly our average level of performance over the season - we simply are not a good football team to watch. 
Let's see how the weekend plays out before hitting the panic button, If we can get to a four point cushion over Bolton then we should get over the line. It's been jarring watching us since Gayle got injured, it honestly really has. 

Poor performance, but not totally unexpected. I would say that's roughly our average level of performance over the season - we simply are not a good football team to watch. 
Let's see how the weekend plays out before hitting the panic button, If we can get to a four point cushion over Bolton then we should get over the line. It's been jarring watching us since Gayle got injured, it honestly really has. 

Poor performance, but not totally unexpected. I would say that's roughly our average level of performance over the season - we simply are not a good football team to watch. 
Let's see how the weekend plays out before hitting the panic button, If we can get to a four point cushion over Bolton then we should get over the line. It's been jarring watching us since Gayle got injured, it honestly really has. 

Exactly how I saw it, albeit I didn't watch until late. Disjointed beyond belief. 
I hope we make adjustments at half-time.

Exactly how I saw it, albeit I didn't watch until late. Disjointed beyond belief. 
I hope we make adjustments at half-time.