How will we do next season?

TonbridgeClaret · Post by **TonbridgeClaret** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:34 pm

Assuming we lose Keane and maybe a couple of others, and assuming we buy reasonable replacements for them, I think mid-table. If we lose them but don't buy decent replacements, probably a relegation scrap.

Any thoughts?

claretdom · Post by **claretdom** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:39 pm

It will take a few more seasons at this level before we aren't in a relegation scrap at the start of each season.

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:41 pm

Who knows, depends on recruitment and what Dyche has learnt.

Man of Kent · Post by **Man of Kent** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:41 pm

I actually quite like relegation scraps - it keeps the season interesting. Imagine being Stoke, Watford or Bournemouth? Boring!

You probably wouldn't have heard me saying this seven days ago though

Newty · Post by **Newty** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:50 pm

Man of Kent wrote:I actually quite like relegation scraps - it keeps the season interesting. Imagine being Stoke, Watford or Bournemouth? Boring!

You probably wouldn't have heard me saying this seven days ago though

I'd rather finish mid table and enjoy Rovers' relegation scrap, personally!

HelloHiGoodbye · Post by **HelloHiGoodbye** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:53 pm

Relegation scrap. Bring it on.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:53 pm

It'll be a challenge again but if we can keep Gray and the rest (bar Keane obviously) and make strong additions to impact on the first eleven, there is no reason we can't have another similarly safe season.

TonbridgeClaret · Post by **TonbridgeClaret** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:58 pm

I'm not too bothered about losing Gray if we can buy a suitable replacement. Anyone know whether he has signed a new contract yet?

bfcmik · Post by **bfcmik** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:59 pm

I think there is the top 6 or 7 + A N Other (there's always 1) and then there is the relegation battle.

We will, in all likelihood be in the relegation battle. There are the main protagonists who will probably include teams like the 3 newly promoted clubs and the few, such as Stoke and WBA, who spend most of their season chasing the 40 point 'safety' mark but are seriously threatened (like us this season). Who we lose and buy and how well our system adapts to year 2 expectations will determine which end of the relegation battle we find ourselves playing in.

NRC · Post by **NRC** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:59 pm

Not very well if we don't float the boat in support of Gray. And if he's off we need to launch a rocket, never mind float a boat

KateR · Post by **KateR** » Tue May 09, 2017 5:32 pm

17th or above will do me, I think it will be harder next season than this one actually.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Tue May 09, 2017 5:46 pm

If instead of losing key players, we kept them, then with all the new experience, added cash, additional players, no reason to think we couldnt be mid table. The danger is loss of talent, and make do and mend approach in the worst possible division to be experimenting with risky replacements.
Ideally, adequate time to blend newer players in, and try to hit the ground running. Those that have seen how it is in the Prem, shouldn't feel overawed by it anymore. Same certainly applies to SeanDyche. lots of ifs and but's though. worst scenario would be trying it again without him in charge.
Struggling to think of viable replacement for him.

SussexDon1inIreland · Post by **SussexDon1inIreland** » Tue May 09, 2017 6:40 pm

What three teams will finish below us next season? I think we can finish at least above all three of the teams coming up (maybe not Newcastle) and we therefore only need to be above maximum one or two clubs (Swansea or Hull whoever survives this season?)

UTC

GDK · Post by **GDK** » Tue May 09, 2017 6:42 pm

Whether we spend £0 or £100m it will be a relegation scrap with at least half the league again. Lets relax and enjoy the end to this fantastic season first though.

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Tue May 09, 2017 6:42 pm

Anybody's guess.
Much depends on who we bring in and also who leaves.

We've always been a selling club although now we're in a comfortable position of not having to sell.
Which doesn't mean we won't.
Dyche has said we don't need to sell but suspect he wouldn't step in the way
if a decent offer came in for Keane and he wanted to go.

It would certainly boost the transfer funds available and if we could bring in 3 or 4 players
of good quality and potential then we may just make more than a fist of it.

However, next season I don't think there will be 2 or 3 clubs who will struggle as much
as say Boro and Sunderland have done this season.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Tue May 09, 2017 6:55 pm

17th and I would be over the moon.
2 good teams coming up, and Fulham could make it 3.
The secret is a good start, to go through the season and only be in the bottom 3 once, after the very first game is amazing. Staying out of that bottom 3 is a lot easier than climbing out of it once you're down there. The pressure tells in the end, although SD has a knack of ignoring the floss.
IF we can avoid relegation next season, then I think we will be in a position to really cement ourselves in the prem.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Tue May 09, 2017 7:09 pm

Depends on the transfer windows. Needs investment, and lots of it.

rufus lumley · Post by **rufus lumley** » Tue May 09, 2017 7:14 pm

It depends how many global partners we get on board. We need the following to compete with the other established premier league teams.
Airline Partner
Beer Partner
Foreign Exchange Partner
Tyre or Tire Partner
Motor Manufacture Partner
Utilities Partner
Betting Partner
Banking Partner
Energy Drink Partner
Partners that advertise on the electronic advertising hoardings around the pitch in symbols and letters that no one in the ground understands.
Must be some more that I have missed but once we have signed them all up we will be OK.

ksrclaret · Post by **ksrclaret** » Tue May 09, 2017 7:16 pm

'Second season syndrome' is a notoriously difficult thing to navigate as other teams become more familiar with your patterns of play and find ways of neutralising them.

I think we'll be in a relegation battle, probably spending more time in the bottom three than this season, but one thing Dyche is very good at is evolving the team to meet the specific challenges of a particular season. For that reason, I'd be quite optimistic providing we have a good summer.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Tue May 09, 2017 7:21 pm

Our away form is if not there worst in PL history, is thereabouts. Our home form has kept us up. Teams next season will know better how to play us, so there will be no surprise element. If the home form deserts us, we will be in big trouble. Let's hope we stay one step ahead, but if we lose Keane then that's a big loss.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Tue May 09, 2017 7:25 pm

ksrclaret wrote:'Second season syndrome' is a notoriously difficult thing to navigate as other teams become more familiar with your patterns of play and find ways of neutralising them.

I think we'll be in a relegation battle, probably spending more time in the bottom three than this season, but one thing Dyche is very good at is evolving the team to meet the specific challenges of a particular season. For that reason, I'd be quite optimistic providing we have a good summer.

Are we actually entering our second season (syndrome)?

I'd say this is our third in reality, as we've kept many of the same players, all the same coaching staff and the same manager from two years ago. The methods are exactly the same from then as well - apart from Dyche being far wiser, and will be the same next season. So in effect this season is our second when you see what's in place at the club.

jdrobbo · Post by **jdrobbo** » Tue May 09, 2017 7:25 pm

My dead certs....

1. We won't get as many points at home.

2. We'll get more points away.

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Tue May 09, 2017 7:30 pm

An interesting question before the current season ends.

It'd be interesting to see and compare responses in three stages:

1) now
2) just before the season starts
3) end of the summer window

My opening estimate is 16th

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Tue May 09, 2017 7:33 pm

if we get COOKE OILS onboard, no reason why top 4 isnt possible.

ksrclaret · Post by **ksrclaret** » Tue May 09, 2017 7:37 pm

Spijed wrote:Are we actually entering our second season (syndrome)?

I'd say this is our third in reality, as we've kept many of the same players, all the same coaching staff and the same manager from two years ago. The methods are exactly the same from then as well - apart from Dyche being far wiser, and will be the same next season. So in effect this season is our second when you see what's in place at the club.

That's a very fair point, but I think our tactics have been quite different this year compared with 14/15 which aren't likely to be as effective as teams analyse us in greater detail. Heaton's free kicks from deep is one example.

Like I said though, Dyche is good at evolving the subtleties in the way we play so I feel quite confident we'll find ways to pose different threats.

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Tue May 09, 2017 7:42 pm

About the same.

vinrogue · Post by **vinrogue** » Wed May 10, 2017 9:47 am

I think the answer to this question is based on how well will other clubs do? Brighton could struggle, if they have a poor start it will be hard for them to come back. Sheff Wed, Huddersfield, Fulham or Reading I can see which ever one of these making it to the PL having a real struggle. That's 20th and 19th sorted so how about Swansea or Hull as the candidate for 18th? 17th could see Watford, Leicester and Newcastle fighting for 17th which leaves us finishing between 14 and 10th next season......."nurse pass me my morning tablets I can't believe what I have just wrote in my bestest Englishness we are safe........"

CFS · Post by **CFS** » Wed May 10, 2017 10:11 am

Going to be really tough next season as you expect the 2nd season will be. Losing Keane and boyd is going to happen. Newcastle sniffing round arfield. Defour no one has a clue if he will be here or in China. Gray could be tempted to cash in. Mee could be at westbrom. Our potential line up could be:

Pope/New
Lowton Tarks New Ward
Brady Hendrick Westwood JBG
Barnes Vokes

Subs:
New keeper/Robbo
K.long
Darikwa
Marney
Agyei/C.Long
New winger
New Striker (the big type i.e juuuuke)

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Wed May 10, 2017 10:15 am

Depends on who goes to be perfectly honest.

If we lose the manager, both CHs, the keeper, our most creative midfielder and our top scorer (for example) then we are really going to struggle.

If we only lose Keane, then I reckon we'd be still be down there, but certainly confident of surviving.

MiltonKeynesClaret93 · Post by **MiltonKeynesClaret93** » Wed May 10, 2017 10:20 am

CFS wrote:Going to be really tough next season as you expect the 2nd season will be. Losing Keane and boyd is going to happen. Newcastle sniffing round arfield. Defour no one has a clue if he will be here or in China. Gray could be tempted to cash in. Mee could be at westbrom. Our potential line up could be:

Pope/New
Lowton Tarks New Ward
Brady Hendrick Westwood JBG
Barnes Vokes

Subs:
New keeper/Robbo
K.long
Darikwa
Marney
Agyei/C.Long
New winger
New Striker (the big type i.e juuuuke)

I doubt Heaton's going anywhere to be fair and if we sold Gray, which again I think's unlikely we'd surely replace him with a like-for-like striker and not another big man.

Guich · Post by **Guich** » Wed May 10, 2017 10:22 am

Pstotto wrote:Our away form is if not there worst in PL history, is thereabouts. Our home form has kept us up. Teams next season will know better how to play us, so there will be no surprise element. If the home form deserts us, we will be in big trouble. Let's hope we stay one step ahead, but if we lose Keane then that's a big loss.

Bloody hell Stotto...our away form isn't even the worst this season! Don't get sucked in by the media desperately trying to make our serene season more interesting for the neutral. We could have easily had a lot more points away and a lot less at home.

I suspect that will be the case next season and we'll stay up again.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Wed May 10, 2017 10:29 am

I'll believe you, then and hope you are right.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Wed May 10, 2017 10:39 am

CFS wrote:Going to be really tough next season as you expect the 2nd season will be. Losing Keane and boyd is going to happen. Newcastle sniffing round arfield. Defour no one has a clue if he will be here or in China. Gray could be tempted to cash in. Mee could be at westbrom. Our potential line up could be:

Pope/New
Lowton Tarks New Ward
Brady Hendrick Westwood JBG
Barnes Vokes

Subs:
New keeper/Robbo
K.long
Darikwa
Marney
Agyei/C.Long
New winger
New Striker (the big type i.e juuuuke)

You've got us down as selling Heaton, Keane, Mee, Boyd, Arfield, and Gray, and signing no-one at all. I bet you quite a lot of money that that won't happen.

Mee to West Brom? Why would he?

CFS · Post by **CFS** » Wed May 10, 2017 10:55 am

dsr wrote:You've got us down as selling Heaton, Keane, Mee, Boyd, Arfield, and Gray, and signing no-one at all. I bet you quite a lot of money that that won't happen.

Mee to West Brom? Why would he?

Not selling boyd think he's leaving with his contract up if I'm right.

NottsClaret · Post by **NottsClaret** » Wed May 10, 2017 11:01 am

jurek wrote:However, next season I don't think there will be 2 or 3 clubs who will struggle as much
as say Boro and Sunderland have done this season.

Someone always steps up! Watford have been in decline for a while, Swansea are spending right at their limit and only just staying up. Whoever comes up in the play-offs will find it very tough. That's three, that's all we need.

Holtyclaret · Post by **Holtyclaret** » Wed May 10, 2017 11:01 am

I asked Tom to his face on Saturday if he may move on and he laughed and said no chance.

Culmclaret · Post by **Culmclaret** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:17 pm

Crystal Palace have the seventh best away record and still have a very real chance of going down!

Fretters · Post by **Fretters** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:28 pm

We'll do a Leicester and win the league in our second season. Gray will be the new Vardy, hitting 25 goals on his way to scoring for England in next summer's World Cup. Hendrick will become as effective as Drinkwater with Westwood performing the Kante role alongside him. JGB will settle into the PL and become as devastating as Mahrez was. Tarky and Mee will be like a brick wall at the back. Heaton, Lowton, Tarky and Mee will join Gray in the England squad.

Get your money on all that happening.

Guich · Post by **Guich** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:37 pm

That sounds a lot more likely than when Leicester did it Fretters

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:38 pm

The law of averages would suggest that 36/37 points may keep us up.

One, maybe two of the promoted sides will struggle to achieve that. Brighton are an unknown - most newly promoted sides for the first time in ages go back down unless they have a massive benefactor like Bournemouth did. The play off side will go down - I cannot think of a strong one with tons of money.

Then we get to sides in the PL now - I hope Hull stay up because they will struggle big style next year. Bournemouth and Watford keep hanging on in there (I know Bournemouth are 10th but they ship too many goals and rely on scoring).

So given our finances I feel confident we will be OK regardless of keeping Dyche. We'll go down at some point, but hopefully we will be like West Brom or Stoke first and build a real legacy that elevates us above other sides for a generation.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:49 pm

This is the multi million dollar question.

We will need to improve the first team to stay up, hopefully any new signing will get a pre season with us. No Euro's/world cup could help this. We have improved the squad no end but with Dyche reverting back to his trusted championship players It suggests we haven't improved the first team.

Our style of going for the draw first and a win is a bonus will generally get you 38 points if you succeed at it. Any more points need to be acquired by going slightly more attacking. Will we? I doubt it.

Newcastle should stay up easily with their players/manager/finance and Brighton will be unknown. I would expect the play off winner to go back down.

I reckon we have to finish above Watford next year to stay up.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:57 pm

CFS wrote:Going to be really tough next season as you expect the 2nd season will be. Losing Keane and boyd is going to happen. Newcastle sniffing round arfield. Defour no one has a clue if he will be here or in China. Gray could be tempted to cash in. Mee could be at westbrom. Our potential line up could be:

Pope/New
Lowton Tarks New Ward
Brady Hendrick Westwood JBG
Barnes Vokes

Subs:
New keeper/Robbo
K.long
Darikwa
Marney
Agyei/C.Long
New winger
New Striker (the big type i.e juuuuke)

if this is anything similar to what we'd have to wage a premier campaign, then its game over. not even good enough to fight a championship season.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Wed May 10, 2017 1:32 pm

Wile E Coyote wrote:if this is anything similar to what we'd have to wage a premier campaign, then its game over. not even good enough to fight a championship season.

That's true, but pointless. Because this isn't anything similar to what we'd have. As I said earlier, can it seriously be assumed that we might sell Heaton, Mee, Keane, Gray and Arfield, and lose Boyd, but get no replacements at all?

timshorts · Post by **timshorts** » Wed May 10, 2017 5:22 pm

SussexDon1inIreland wrote:What three teams will finish below us next season? I think we can finish at least above all three of the teams coming up (maybe not Newcastle) and we therefore only need to be above maximum one or two clubs (Swansea or Hull whoever survives this season?)

UTC

As things stand, I'd guess that we are more likely to finish ahead of Watford than Swansea.

box_of_frogs · Post by **box_of_frogs** » Wed May 10, 2017 5:24 pm

I'll happily take a 1 place improvement on wherever we finish this year.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Wed May 10, 2017 5:54 pm

let's hope we do 'em like we have done this season.