CONTENDERS next season?

The problem is rioch that we can’t assume that we’re going to compete with these teams next year let alone be above them from the outset. For one thing many of these clubs will have a much bigger budget than we do so will be in a better position to sign quality players than we are. I think we will challenge with a few additions but making top two will be a struggle without serious changes. I agree this will be Evatt’s last shot with us so that may affect his views and which players he sells and keeps. Out of the potential challengers there will be some that fall short but at least a couple of them will thrive. Which ones we don’t know but what is for certain is that making top two will be considerably tougher than last year so your top from the start target is going to be a very tough task. That doesn’t mean I don’t agree, I think we do need to set our stall out to do exactly that but I suppose it all depends on who takes the field for us and what the managers intention is?

I’d like to think this will be our year rioch but I don’t think the players we had last year will cut it with this seasons competition. It’s ten days now since Oxford and we haven’t heard a sickie bird from either manager or owner on what’s happening which to me is disgraceful, especially when they’re wanting people to buy season tickets. It won’t be long now before stories start coming out to fill the void. Has Sharon had enough? Has Evatt had enough? Have our Swiss investors had enough? We don’t know and that’s not right so we can’t possibly consider next season until we know something but the silence is deafening. The longer nothings said the more people will fear the worst. Could there have been a fall out? We just don’t know but we need to and they owe it to us now. ☹️🤨

I know Rotherham have done deals from listening to some podcast it seems that's Steve Evans O.M to get 10 new players in and then moan he's missing a few(think that's from a McAnthony mainly but heard from players too) and I imagine him coming in has given him the powerful hand to say I want x,y,z. I mean Clark Harris has been available for 12 months but no takers.

I don't think we need to panic about signings just yet. As a player you would only sign this early if its either your dream move or you've been given everything you've asked for and more.

The one thing we don't know is if any one bids for our players. When they do what will that do. How does Ian react to us accepting a bid from Sunderland for Santos of £750k say.

Decent money. We can't turn it down because we've held the lad back in L1(could argue the opposite based on the playoffs) but these players for me all entitled to say enough of L1. I need to be on championship wages with the view of a Premier league deal. Let's face it in that league you're only ever back to back wins from play offs.

Point is I don't think a decision has been made yet. I'd be amazed if Sharon hasn't thought about a Plan B but maybe the answer is "a risk not worth taking".

I still think jobs will open up. Who goes in at Burnley. Does that open up a job somewhere else. At some point this summer I think things will conspire. For example we sell Santos on the same week that Hull approach Evatt. He may reject Hull right here and now. But losing Rico, and a few others and all off a sudden one heated discussion becomes tell Hull I'll speak with them. All of a sudden lines get joined.

So it could change week on week out. Last year at Barnsley we were giving those "assurances" on budget, ambition and automatics. Nothing this year. Is that lessons learned. Stop over promising or it more am indication that changes are needed. Do think it will be a Summer of change. And welcome. Its whether Mr I won't change at all. (His words) will change.