Realistic Expectations

[ICTPaisley]

I’ve just been told we are 3rd favourites for the league behind Arbroath and Queens. This is a shock to me and was curious to see other people’s thoughts on this.

My first thought was, what’s our odds to get relegated? With a risk of a 15 point deduction for entering into Administration surely this is a possibility. 
 

I thought we might be battling to avoid relegation regardless of administration though so now I wonder if it it’s worth a cheeky £20. Annan are joint relegation favourites currently. 

[+Gringo]

Probably a little too early to call this one for me. The threat of administration still hangs in the air and that could be the deciding factor. A 15 points deduction would almost certainly see us in L2 next season. IF we get new owners and investment then we could possibly make a challenge for the L1 title. Looking at the current squad and performances I can't see us making a challenge this season. We currently have a small squad and we get a spate of injuries - like we always do - we will struggle. I also feel sure the current manager isn't up to the job in hand. Lets see how it goes during the first few league matches.  

[+snorbens_caleyman]

8 hours ago, ICTPaisley said:

I’ve just been told we are 3rd favourites for the league behind Arbroath and Queens. This is a shock to me and was curious to see other people’s thoughts on this.

I think that many others, outside of the Highlands, don't realise how bad things are with us.  Was talking to my wife's Stenny-supporting relatives last week, and, even though they are plugged into most things happening at that level, they were still expecting us to be up there challienging for promotion.

Even when I explained that we had a team of mostly untried youngsters, they still couldn't take it in.

"You've still got Mckay who scores all the goals, haven't you?".

"Yes, but he's into his late 30s now, and he can only score goals if he is in an attacking position and gets good service!".

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

Like Gringo says we need to know exactly where we stand before predicting anything. You just don't know what is round the corner and the club just providing us with reactive statements which unfortunately often pose more questions than explanations and leave us in the dark 

[bdu98196]

I expect attendance to drop as we progress and more fan melt downs blaming everyone when we sit mid table and it's evident the squad depth isnt deep and most of our youngsters aren't good enough or ready for this level. Fingers crossed Brooks or Cairns might get us goals because I'm not sure Billy will otherwise it'll be closer to the bottom than the top.

 

[CaleyCanary]

Yep too early yet for any solid expectations but if we do end up with a serious points deduction then my expectation is a strong challenge for the League 2 title in 25/26

[Robert]

For me, survival as a club comes first, anything positive on the pitch is a bonus.

That said, some of the feedback from Saturday is encouraging. In Bray and MacLeod we have youngsters with great potential and others may start to shine too, such as Mackay and Thompson who both looked good at Clach and Nairn. We’ve also Nicolson to come back which will strengthen us.

On the other hand, Ferguson said that he played Brooks, Gilmour and McKay for longer on Saturday than he had planned to, given they’d had injuries. That is a major worry that we are asking too much of players who are not fully fit.

I’m cautiously hopeful that they may surprise us this season and at least make the promotion play offs but, as others have said, it is very early days and we do not yet know the level we are at.

[CaleyCiuin]

9 minutes ago, Robert said:

For me, survival as a club comes first, anything positive on the pitch is a bonus.

That said, some of the feedback from Saturday is encouraging. In Bray and MacLeod we have youngsters with great potential and others may start to shine too, such as Mackay and Thompson who both looked good at Clach and Nairn. We’ve also Nicolson to come back which will strengthen us.

On the other hand, Ferguson said that he played Brooks, Gilmour and McKay for longer on Saturday than he had planned to, given they’d had injuries. That is a major worry that we are asking too much of players who are not fully fit.

I’m cautiously hopeful that they may surprise us this season and at least make the promotion play offs but, as others have said, it is very early days and we do not yet know the level we are at.

It should be worrying that after four low tempo friendlies and one league cup game, that players are already managing injuries. With most league 1 teams playing on plastic and us training more at HRFC & Millburn, then can only see more impact on our squad fitness. At least Duncs loves playing youth on plastic. !!!!!!!!!

[Duke of Inverness]

8th

[dougal]

At present we are heading for relegation survival in league1 with the current squad would be a quite remarkable achievement. 

A torrid season ahead and the fans that are still going should go easy on the kids who will be turning week in week out remember it’s not their fault.

Dougal
 

[Scotty]

... I agree with Dougal  

[ICTPaisley]

On 7/15/2024 at 10:50 PM, ICTPaisley said:

I’ve just been told we are 3rd favourites for the league behind Arbroath and Queens. This is a shock to me and was curious to see other people’s thoughts on this.

My first thought was, what’s our odds to get relegated? With a risk of a 15 point deduction for entering into Administration surely this is a possibility. 
 

I thought we might be battling to avoid relegation regardless of administration though so now I wonder if it it’s worth a cheeky £20. Annan are joint relegation favourites currently. 

Did anyone put it on?

[Council Juice]

On 7/20/2024 at 3:51 AM, dougal said:

At present we are heading for relegation survival in league1 with the current squad would be a quite remarkable achievement. 

A torrid season ahead and the fans that are still going should go easy on the kids who will be turning week in week out remember it’s not their fault.

Dougal
 

You still sign your name after all this time Dougal?  

I agree with you though. 

I think a good season for us is first surviving as a club and an exceptional one would be staying in L1 with the -15 points.

Can forget anything better than that.

 

[Duke of Inverness]

On 7/16/2024 at 6:48 PM, Duke of Inverness said:

8th

Way too optimistic

[+CaleyHedgehog]

57 minutes ago, Duke of Inverness said:

Way too optimistic

'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a simple step' (or goal).

Here's hoping.