Too many key players leaving, not enough decent players coming in to replace them.
Pogatetz, although injured for a lot of last season was approaching full fitness but has now gone to Hannover 96, will be a big BIG miss and his injuries last season were definitely a key factor in our poor performance for the season.
Riggott has gone too, an excellent back up for defence when we had injuries.
The only plus side at the moment is we look like keeping Stephen McManus who was terrific towards the end of last season, we went on an eight-game unbeaten run partly thanks to us stopping the rot of conceding silly late goals. Sadly 5 of those games were draws, so the attack really needs to be looked at. Aliadiere & Emnes too lightweight, muscled off the ball to easily. Chris Killen and Lee Miller are god awful and couldn't finish their dinners never mind a glorious opportunity of goal.
Another key factor for us last year though was low crowds, at the start of the season especially we had a better away record than home as the players did not like playing in front of such a low turnout (especially when the low turnout was there to give stick rather than give support.) However they did turn this around and were unbeaten at home in the league for the last 12 games, something which needs to push on into next season.
I'm pretty sceptic at the moment and I believe if we don't get promoted this year, we're going to be a mid-table championship side for a long time to come.
For what its worth lewis, I don't like your new kit :lol: I think clubs should keep their predominant colours, I know this was similar to the first kit they ever wore and they're going for the traditional look, but they've been thinly red'n'white striped since 1896 ... its too much of a change and its very similar to Man Citys away kit for 09/10 (apart from the stripe being solid red as opposed to red and black).
Boros first kit was blue and white, god forbid the uproar if they ever did that to us :lol:
As for the prem, as awesome as it is to see Blackpool in the top flight I can see them coming straight back down. WBA actually have a chance of survival for a change, the teams in the prem at the moment are piss poor... Wigan, Wolves, Bolton and Blackburn specifically.
When the fixtures are released theres always a few things I check immediately... Opening Day? Xmas period? Is the last game of the season home/away? .... now I'll also have to check when we play dirty Leeds
