| How optimistic are you now? 19:33 - Jun 28 with 18374 views | Spen |
I know it’s very early days in this transfer window and I was going to post this a few days back, but, I think I’m feeling more confident and optimistic now than this time last year.
Last summer the narrative was what could Marti and this team do with a full preseason etc, and the general feeling around the place was positive.
Things seem to be making sense now and with the new management team in place, decent, forward thinking signings, retained players etc, there does seem something brewing here.
I guess it’s the well worn phrase ‘it’s the hope that kills you’ kicking in, especially after 2 San Miguel, but for the first time in a long time I’m really looking forward to this season. |  | | |  |
| How optimistic are you now? on 22:45 - Jun 28 with 1986 views | Hooparoo |
Hope springs eternal I suppose but I really feel as though we’re moving in the right direction at last.
Let’s see how long it lasts eh? 😉 |  |
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| How optimistic are you now? on 23:07 - Jun 28 with 1932 views | ChrisNW6 |
| How optimistic are you now? on 22:32 - Jun 28 by NewcastleHoop |
It'll all be crap, everyone'll be injured all the time, we'll play lovely tippy tappy football and lose to teams that run in a straight line towards our goal, Stephan'll be gone in November and replaced with Grant McCann, we'll get to Christmas with Frey being the only striker to have scored any goals at all, our relegation will be confirmed with four matches to play, we'll then win all four of those matches to finish 22nd one point behind Oxford. |
My optimistic self thinks Zan Celar and Charlie Kelman will have a great pre season. Not sure we will be in a position to spend big on a proven Championship scorer. Actually, there's only a few of those around. Pointless having a Carlton Morris if the team isn't set up to play to his style.
My thinking is work with what we have and Celar or Kelman will come good with Frey supporting. Would love Kolli to rip up the league, but hopefully, we can become a free scoring team with the new attacking midfield. | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 23:38 - Jun 28 with 1883 views | dmm |
Optimism is quite normal in pre season. I feel it myself. However, objectively there is no actual reason for it at this point. And no reason for pessimism either. We simply don't know how things will be until we play some football.
We're not into July yet so a long way to go with a new head coach, unproven in the Championship, some players leaving and some coming in. Let's see where we are 10 games into the new season before making judgements. |  | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 23:45 - Jun 28 with 1873 views | Burnleyhoop |
| How optimistic are you now? on 20:36 - Jun 28 by SteveCookFanAccount |
Last summer was positive but based mostly on a strong finish to the prior season. Players who had no track record in England were getting us excited because we wanted to be excited about the team under Marti. This year we all want the manager to succeed, but given the negative sentiment around the club at the end of the season I do not think the excitement around these transfers is just generic transfer hype. Mbengue, Poku, and the unexpected renewal of Dunne which feels like a new signing, alongside Kelman returning from loan feels like some real quality additions to the squad compared to expectations. The players all have extensive EFL experience, meaning we shouldn't suffer as extensive an adjustment period as we did last year. Furthermore, the signings from last summer have had a season to adjust. Varane looks like a quality member of the squad and a head and shoulders above where he was when he signed (as supported by the offers that have come in for him), Madsen looks like a professional football rather than a competition winner (even if he's not our best midfield option and Morrison became a valued squad member by the end of the season. Kieran Morgan was an unexpected first team regular having initially been signed for the development squad. Our development squad won a competition. Vale is an unknown quantity that has almost been forgotten because of his extended injury.
We have a new manager who wants to work with Nourry and the new structured club-first head coach setup with club coaches rather than a manager's team.
Financially the club does not appear to be on a cliff edge as it has been before.
Now, there are inevitably many issues with the team and the club. Do we have the pace and power in the side to really compete yet? Have we really changed enough to improve our dire injury record? Does Christian Nourry speak like a LinkedIn chatbot with a pretentious and opaque communication style?
But, if we compare now to last summer, ignoring the Marti hypetrain after that incredible finish to 23/24 and the relief and excitement after surviving (which I was wholeheartedly a part of), are we in a better position? I think we have a stronger squad, a more cohesive coaching and amanagement team that is aligned with the board, and incoming transfers with EFL experience. As a result, we should be optimistic. QPR are doing what we have wanted for a long time in building a squad and a system that is moving towards being financially sustainable, and not built around peaks and troughs of spaffing money up the wall on one season pushes like Austin and Johansen. Maybe it doesn't work. But if Stephan doesn't work and gets sacked in November after another poor start to the season, we have a squad. and a philosophy in appointments that makes me believe we won't try and appointment Sam Allardyce and get relegated, but instead will recover and survive. And if it does go well, maybe we can finally start looking up the table and building over a number of seasons. Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I genuinely think that we are moving in the right direction as a club. |
The other positive is the apparent good health and fitness of the squad. Chair, Cook, Dembele, JCS and to a lesser extent, Field, missed a significant part of last season through injury and should be fit and raring to go this season.
We perhaps start the season at full strength, with a strong bench and a rapidly improving development set up. I’m finding it difficult to see the negatives, other than securing a proven striker (at this level) and a replacement for Colback. | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 23:50 - Jun 28 with 1864 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| How optimistic are you now? on 23:38 - Jun 28 by dmm |
Optimism is quite normal in pre season. I feel it myself. However, objectively there is no actual reason for it at this point. And no reason for pessimism either. We simply don't know how things will be until we play some football.
We're not into July yet so a long way to go with a new head coach, unproven in the Championship, some players leaving and some coming in. Let's see where we are 10 games into the new season before making judgements. |
Schrödinger’s (Jude The) Cat |  | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 00:25 - Jun 29 with 1806 views | PlanetHonneywood |
Project is evolving. |  |
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| How optimistic are you now? on 00:47 - Jun 29 with 1783 views | ChrisNW6 |
| How optimistic are you now? on 00:25 - Jun 29 by PlanetHonneywood |
Project is evolving. |
Prefer a Project to a Plan 😀 | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 01:02 - Jun 29 with 1764 views | QuillPenRiot |
| How optimistic are you now? on 20:39 - Jun 28 by bosh67 |
It's the hope that kills you! But after the recent signings I'd settle for being severely maimed by the hope. |
My hope has whipped enough life in me that I’m fogging up the mirror now. How come all of our players look decent or better in the summer only to mostly turn to merde during the season?
Love 442 but I can only imagine a diamond 442 with our current squad or a 352 for two strikers. I don’t quite see yet how the the midfield and strikers fit into that. As Clive said, more surgery is needed up top and in the middle |  | | |
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| How optimistic are you now? on 08:37 - Jun 29 with 1549 views | nix |
I agree we need a left back and a DCM to replace Colback. I'm wondering whether that'll be where our loan signings will fill gaps. Certainly DCM might be easier to pick up than say a decent striker on loan.
That's more likely to happen in a few weeks' time when Prem clubs have sorted out their squads.
A new striker might be contingent on Ebs saving us again. |  | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 09:25 - Jun 29 with 1464 views | Burnleyhoop |
| How optimistic are you now? on 08:37 - Jun 29 by nix |
I agree we need a left back and a DCM to replace Colback. I'm wondering whether that'll be where our loan signings will fill gaps. Certainly DCM might be easier to pick up than say a decent striker on loan.
That's more likely to happen in a few weeks' time when Prem clubs have sorted out their squads.
A new striker might be contingent on Ebs saving us again. |
What position is Vale supposed to be fulfilling?
Left back?, Colback replacement? Utility player? | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 09:25 - Jun 29 with 1465 views | Big_Mac |
| How optimistic are you now? on 00:47 - Jun 29 by ChrisNW6 |
Prefer a Project to a Plan 😀 |
There was a decent plan before that worked quite well. Only problem was once that plan was actioned there didn’t seem to be any more plans 😅 |  | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 09:36 - Jun 29 with 1439 views | Lblock |
I’m optimistic by my nature……. 
However, we lack Championship coagulant still.
Need a bit more grizzle in key areas.
Getting off to a good start will be more vital than ever this coming year for obvious reasons
I’m still not optimistic enough to renew but slightly tempted |  |
| Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal |
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| How optimistic are you now? on 09:40 - Jun 29 with 1431 views | cyprusmel |
If we sign Mothersille even I might start to believe. | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 09:55 - Jun 29 with 1405 views | nix |
| How optimistic are you now? on 09:25 - Jun 29 by Burnleyhoop |
What position is Vale supposed to be fulfilling?
Left back?, Colback replacement? Utility player? |
I think he's more of an attacking mid than DCM. Don't think he normally plays LB. | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 10:04 - Jun 29 with 1384 views | Wilkinswatercarrier |
| How optimistic are you now? on 22:10 - Jun 28 by Northernr |
Strikers, lb and CM positions need surgery. |
Not sure about a new striker due to cost and availability., that's why I've gone LB & CM.
I'm still hanging my hat on Celar being our main ST with Frey and Kelman (if he stays).
I can't sit through another season watching Field and Varane passing every which way but forward so CM is imperative for me.
I've heard the club is looking at bringing in a LB on loan, which would make sense if Esquardinha is the longer term choice.
Will be an interesting July. | |
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| How optimistic are you now? on 10:10 - Jun 29 with 1376 views | Spen |
I appreciate there's loads more still to come during the summer, players being sold perhaps, more signings, possible Eze money, the pre-season friendlies and the rest. It's just the whole sort of vibe around the club, at least from what I can see from the outside, seems to be more structured, planned and bit more long term.
Here's hoping. | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 10:16 - Jun 29 with 1352 views | dm97 |
| How optimistic are you now? on 10:10 - Jun 29 by Spen |
I appreciate there's loads more still to come during the summer, players being sold perhaps, more signings, possible Eze money, the pre-season friendlies and the rest. It's just the whole sort of vibe around the club, at least from what I can see from the outside, seems to be more structured, planned and bit more long term.
Here's hoping. |
Don’t get me wrong, 2 good signings and definitely the sort we should be making more of (much more likely to get a good hit rate doing this than buying from the smaller European leagues imo).
But this squad still has huge issues. 3/4 cbs have significant fitness issues, the midfield can’t turn and pass the ball forwards, the collection of wide forwards / 10s are generally weak and lacking mobility (Poku / Smyth aside), and the strikers don’t score goals (often because they don’t get many chances to) - pending Kelman’s step up.
We will likely be in the lower third of the league again, which is where this squad sits ability wise imo.. |  | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 10:20 - Jun 29 with 1338 views | JamesB1979 |
Those that want a striker? You mean a Number 1, first choice striker I guess? I’m 50:50 because what do you do with Kelman? Haven’t you either got to start him first 10 games and tell him he’s number 1 OR sell him. I see little point in having him as a back-up with Celar, Frey to another main striker.
If Eze isn’t sold, then I’d give Kelman pre-season and August and then if nothing get a loan in from somewhere. | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 10:28 - Jun 29 with 1319 views | francisbowles |
| How optimistic are you now? on 22:32 - Jun 28 by NewcastleHoop |
It'll all be crap, everyone'll be injured all the time, we'll play lovely tippy tappy football and lose to teams that run in a straight line towards our goal, Stephan'll be gone in November and replaced with Grant McCann, we'll get to Christmas with Frey being the only striker to have scored any goals at all, our relegation will be confirmed with four matches to play, we'll then win all four of those matches to finish 22nd one point behind Oxford. |
"That's all good then".
(c Hugh Bonneville) | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 10:29 - Jun 29 with 1309 views | dmm |
| How optimistic are you now? on 09:55 - Jun 29 by nix |
I think he's more of an attacking mid than DCM. Don't think he normally plays LB. |
I think you're right nix. He's certainly versatile, having played everywhere except CB, RB and keeper, but he's mostly been at ACM and LM. Vale did play 14 times at LB for Bristol Rovers in the 23/24 season but it was actually as a wing back.
I'd expect him to be deployed in his main positions for us. | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 11:26 - Jun 29 with 1238 views | 7374Ranger |
The squad still needs a reliable and trusted LB in case the current ones aren’t ready for Championship football (Lakarche could be having played SPL football last season).
Kelman and Celar might have improved since their previous Championshipree performances, so let’s start with them, (Kelman should be sold if he doesn’t sign a greenew deal though, as we could probably get a similar if not better than what Armstrong was sold for). Another target man as an alternative to Frey would be good.
Also agree another CM if Colback doesn’t stay.
I am a bit more optimistic because at least pace has been added to the squad in defence and attack. | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 11:39 - Jun 29 with 1213 views | Esox_Lucius |
| How optimistic are you now? on 22:25 - Jun 28 by Northernr |
One a kid, one not a left back, one so far shown to be a bench player at best.
We went through this last year, “oh we’ll probably be fine with that”… |
Fine is what I want next season. A season of watching the team play decent football, 3 or 4 DS players break into the side and crowd support like last season is just fine. As long as we don't get promoted. Maybe once we are truly competitive, but not before for me. |  |
| The grass is always greener. |
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| How optimistic are you now? on 11:48 - Jun 29 with 1180 views | Logman |
I'll wait until I have seen a JS team in action. I think our best 11 is more than capable on paper but if injuries prevail like last year then I think we lack strength and character in depth. Like I say, though, most important for me is whether or not 'le gaffer' can weld the players into a formidable team. | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 11:57 - Jun 29 with 1162 views | Burnleyhoop |
| How optimistic are you now? on 10:29 - Jun 29 by dmm |
I think you're right nix. He's certainly versatile, having played everywhere except CB, RB and keeper, but he's mostly been at ACM and LM. Vale did play 14 times at LB for Bristol Rovers in the 23/24 season but it was actually as a wing back.
I'd expect him to be deployed in his main positions for us. |
I don’t see him being deployed anywhere but the bench. Who does he usurp in the team if everyone is fit?
He’s played at left back and we don’t have one. Someone has to start there, unless we bring in a dedicated LB or use Larkeche.
The squad continues to grow, but we still seem short in very specific positions. Stephan has some conundrums to contend with, but better to have that headache than scratching around not having any player availability. | | | |
| How optimistic are you now? on 12:04 - Jun 29 with 1145 views | Myke |
| How optimistic are you now? on 22:25 - Jun 28 by Northernr |
One a kid, one not a left back, one so far shown to be a bench player at best.
We went through this last year, “oh we’ll probably be fine with that”… |
Would love to see us sign Beck. Either on loan if we don't get cash for Exe/Varane or permanently if we do | | | |
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