Exodus

[Sarah Star]

It would still upset me if he went to the premiership. Fair enough, don't they all want to play with the big boys? But couldn't he do it by takin gthe clb up with him?

[Archie's penalty]

It would still upset me if he went to the premiership. Fair enough, don't they all want to play with the big boys? But couldn't he do it by takin gthe clb up with him?

I would totally understand it if he went to the prem. He's a great player and could definitely do a job for someone there. He's in a strong position after a good season and he's 27 now right? If we don't go up this year will someone come in for him? And will the club get as much money for him?

[Platypuss]

I just don't understand the pessimism - it just doesn't seem logical.

Or realistic?

[FiNeRaIn]

Makes perfect sense to me. If the fans have an upbeat loud and positive start to the season, that may translate into the players playing up.

Do you honestly believe that?

[Dirk Gently]

It would still upset me if he went to the premiership. Fair enough, don't they all want to play with the big boys? But couldn't he do it by takin gthe clb up with him?

I would totally understand it if he went to the prem. He's a great player and could definitely do a job for someone there. He's in a strong position after a good season and he's 27 now right? If we don't go up this year will someone come in for him? And will the club get as much money for him?

A couple of years ago I was at a football dinner and I found myself sitting next to the then-Chairman of Cambridge United. He told me the story behind of Dave Kitson's transfer to Reading.

Apparently he was in his office one day, and there was a knock on the door, and in come DK. His actual words were "Mr Chairman, I've taken Cambridge United as far as I can ...." And after that the transfer was eventually granted.

The moral of the story is never under-estimate the ego of Mr Kitson, and how much he believes in his own ability and his rightful place in football.

[Royal Rother]

I just don't understand the pessimism - it just doesn't seem logical.

Or realistic?

Or sensible.

What's your point?

[PlasticRoyale]

My friend does the production for Dave Kitson's clothing company. I thought he was winding me up when he said Kitson was off

[Platypuss]

While it's nice to think that the team will start the season on the crest of a wave of positivity from the fans, I'm afraid the onus is on the club to kickstart it.

However, so far all we have heard is the kind of "expectation-dampening" stuff that was bound to keep the mood flat.

What odds on a few "statement of intent" type signings to lift the spirits?

[Royalee]

It would still upset me if he went to the premiership. Fair enough, don't they all want to play with the big boys? But couldn't he do it by takin gthe clb up with him?

I would totally understand it if he went to the prem. He's a great player and could definitely do a job for someone there. He's in a strong position after a good season and he's 27 now right? If we don't go up this year will someone come in for him? And will the club get as much money for him?

A couple of years ago I was at a football dinner and I found myself sitting next to the then-Chairman of Cambridge United. He told me the story behind of Dave Kitson's transfer to Reading.

Apparently he was in his office one day, and there was a knock on the door, and in come DK. His actual words were "Mr Chairman, I've taken Cambridge United as far as I can ...." And after that the transfer was eventually granted.

The moral of the story is never under-estimate the ego of Mr Kitson, and how much he believes in his own ability and his rightful place in football.

Self-confidence is a good thing when put to good use - as Kitson does.

[Royal Rother]

What odds on a few "statement of intent" type signings to lift the spirits?

Long.

But I'd be happy with a statement that Hahnemann, Bikey, Rosenior, Cisse, Matejovsky, Harper, Hunt, Convey, Kitson, Doyle, Lita and Long will definitely be staying.

That lot mingling with a selection from Duberry, Ingimarsson, Pearce, Murty, Sonko, Federici, Henry, Gunnarsson, Karacan, Robson Kanu (and some lessons learned from last season) would be very strong candidates for promotion in anyone's book. (Well, almost anybody...)

[Royalee]

What odds on a few "statement of intent" type signings to lift the spirits?

Long.

But I'd be happy with a statement that Hahnemann, Bikey, Rosenior, Cisse, Matejovsky, Harper, Hunt, Convey, Kitson, Doyle, Lita and Long will definitely be staying.

That lot mingling with a selection from Duberry, Ingimarsson, Pearce, Murty, Sonko, Federici, Henry, Gunnarsson, Karacan, Robson Kanu (and some lessons learned from last season) would be very strong candidates for promotion in anyone's book. (Well, almost anybody...)

If you think we'd go back up with that squad then you really have no idea.

[Royal Rother]

Well obviously we'd need a left back and poss a right winger but we wouldn't have to spend that much on those to slot into the rest of the squad and produce a team more than capable of challenging.

It's reassuring that you disagree. Cheers.

[earleyroyal]

What odds on a few "statement of intent" type signings to lift the spirits?

Long.

But I'd be happy with a statement that Hahnemann, Bikey, Rosenior, Cisse, Matejovsky, Harper, Hunt, Convey, Kitson, Doyle, Lita and Long will definitely be staying.

And that would be the nucleus of a team that could challenge, but what do you think are the chances of all 12 staying?

[Royal Rother]

Very very slim of course. Just making the point that rather than just thinking about new blood making a statement of intent if we can keep the nucleus of last year's squad we already have what we need and no new blood would give me a better feeling than seeing most of those listed stroll out against Forest.

[Royalee]

Well obviously we'd need a left back and poss a right winger but we wouldn't have to spend that much on those to slot into the rest of the squad and produce a team more than capable of challenging.

It's reassuring that you disagree. Cheers.

And a left winger seeing as Hunt's end product is nowhere near Convey's and Convey's knee is buggered by the sound of things. Add to that that we don't have a decent defensive midfieder to partner Marek, meaning teams will run through us just like last season and promotion is a far-fetched dream.

[Royal Rother]

We are playing in the Championship next season, not the Premier League, and the opposition is of a different quality to what we faced last year. Teams will not run through our midfield like they did last season. Our defenders will not get turned as easily because the opposition will not be as quick or of international class week in week out. And our attackers will find many more scoring opportunities than they did last season.

[Royalee]

Whilst I'd agree the Championship is certainly a lot weaker, I still think you underestimate it and vastly overestimate what's left of our Championship winning team.

[earleyroyal]

Well obviously we'd need a left back and poss a right winger but we wouldn't have to spend that much on those to slot into the rest of the squad and produce a team more than capable of challenging.

It's reassuring that you disagree. Cheers.

And a left winger seeing as Hunt's end product is nowhere near Convey's and Convey's knee is buggered by the sound of things. Add to that that we don't have a decent defensive midfieder to partner Marek, meaning teams will run through us just like last season and promotion is a far-fetched dream.

B...I...K...E...Y

We had him last season, he would've kept us up had we played him instead of Harper or Matejovsky. Our midfield got swamped by almost every team; the same will happen in the CCC if Harper/Mate play as they have the physical presence of Stephen Hawking. Bikey could piss over most CCC midfields on his own, he has the raw talent and our team should be built around him next season.

[Royalee]

Well obviously we'd need a left back and poss a right winger but we wouldn't have to spend that much on those to slot into the rest of the squad and produce a team more than capable of challenging.

It's reassuring that you disagree. Cheers.

And a left winger seeing as Hunt's end product is nowhere near Convey's and Convey's knee is buggered by the sound of things. Add to that that we don't have a decent defensive midfieder to partner Marek, meaning teams will run through us just like last season and promotion is a far-fetched dream.

B...I...K...E...Y

We had him last season, he would've kept us up had we played him instead of Harper or Matejovsky. Our midfield got swamped by almost every team; the same will happen in the CCC if Harper/Mate play as they have the physical presence of Stephen Hawking. Bikey could piss over most CCC midfields on his own, he has the raw talent and our team should be built around him next season.

Don't get me wrong I think Bikey's great, but he's better at centre back than he is in midfield and would be the perfect foil for Pearce at the back this season. We need him in our back four and a new DM brought in.

[winchester_royal]

What odds on a few "statement of intent" type signings to lift the spirits?

Long.

But I'd be happy with a statement that Hahnemann, Bikey, Rosenior, Cisse, Matejovsky, Harper, Hunt, Convey, Kitson, Doyle, Lita and Long will definitely be staying.

That lot mingling with a selection from Duberry, Ingimarsson, Pearce, Murty, Sonko, Federici, Henry, Gunnarsson, Karacan, Robson Kanu (and some lessons learned from last season) would be very strong candidates for promotion in anyone's book. (Well, almost anybody...)

If you think we'd go back up with that squad then you really have no idea.

If you think that there are 2 stronger squads in the Championship at the moment then you have no idea.