Just in case @Right_in_the_Middle I was joking. Although I am sure there are restrictions on what he can and cannot say for a myriad of reasons, I do not believe Gareth lies to the press and I think he is doing everything he can to succeed at Wycombe. I would imagine most League managers whatever support they can claim from their bosses start the season expecting to get the sack...so I am not sure what you mean by 'building his legacy'. If the results are poor and he loses the fans...legacy is ****ed.
I don't doubt Ainsworth is doing everything he can to succeed at Wycombe. I just happen to think that includes giving awful press interviews and preparing a team that uses every inch of the laws of the game to win matches. That may be all well and good for some and for more than that if he is successful.
I just fear for another three months like the last three of last season. Having no money didn't excuse that in my opinion.
I'm fine with Ainsworth as a manager and as our manager. I just think he needs to grow this season and not stagnate blaming a lack of money. Frankly I'm fed up with the line and annoyed that he thinks he needs to keep bringing it up. We are not all stupid
Unless Pierre is worse than anyone's let on, or is on the cusp of a move, it seemed a little surprising that we'd sign a 4th outright centre back, as Jombati can do a decent job there.
However, as long as Pierre is back soon and stays, it looks like Ainsworth has done a pretty good overall squad top up. The attacking options look a hell of a lot more exciting than last year, with Hayes seemingly half for most of it, Holloway's nose right out of joint with the Thompson signing, and Thommo himself who completely ran on empty for a long time.
I know we were pretty dire last year and we did waste a lot of time in the game at Fratton Park the year before (which we should have won!) but the Cocky Pompey supporter's assessment in the above prediction is rather stark:-
6th: Wycombe Wanderers - The most despicable bunch of hoofing, time wasting cheats you'll ever come across. But unfortunately that's a formula which guarantees wins in this division. The signing of Adebayo Akinfenwa will only strengthen their ability to out muscle teams and thus I can see them kicking their way to a play-off position.
Having said that, I would probably accept a 6th place finish if it were offered now.
Pretty much got it spot on in my book apart from that I'd take exception to us being the most despicable. I'd say we had a few competitors in that section of the footballing Venn diagram.
My prediction is 70-72 points; toying with a possible play-off place, but keeping us guessing until the last game whether it will ultimately be play-offs or disappointment.
I reckon we've got cause to be optimistic for the new season even though we ended last season terribly.
Gareth has had a decent summer and has tackled some of the very obvious deficiencies that existed last season.
There's more pace, physical presence and ability to hold the ball up in our front line. That should add up to more goals.
I've no great worries about the midfield or our first choice defence, although whether we have sufficient back up we'll find out (pretty quickly as it happens with Pierre being injured).
I think we'll be competitive for a play-off place, although our tiny squad and the end of the emergency loan system means that injuries will take a greater than ever toll. Fingers crossed we stay lucky on that front.
Agreed @TheatreOfChairs . Our almost promoted season we were very lucky with injuries and last term the combination of injuries and players being off form did for our season, but, to be fair, when Gareth 'unleashed' the 61 pointers to no effect...we were still in with a playoff shout!
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To be fair, he did also say "I can’t see too many more coming in" so the door wasn't properly closed.
According to the BBC the average League 2 player is on £40k a year, which brings our player wage bill in at around £840k a year.
Just in case @Right_in_the_Middle I was joking. Although I am sure there are restrictions on what he can and cannot say for a myriad of reasons, I do not believe Gareth lies to the press and I think he is doing everything he can to succeed at Wycombe. I would imagine most League managers whatever support they can claim from their bosses start the season expecting to get the sack...so I am not sure what you mean by 'building his legacy'. If the results are poor and he loses the fans...legacy is ****ed.
I don't doubt Ainsworth is doing everything he can to succeed at Wycombe. I just happen to think that includes giving awful press interviews and preparing a team that uses every inch of the laws of the game to win matches. That may be all well and good for some and for more than that if he is successful.
I just fear for another three months like the last three of last season. Having no money didn't excuse that in my opinion.
I'm fine with Ainsworth as a manager and as our manager. I just think he needs to grow this season and not stagnate blaming a lack of money. Frankly I'm fed up with the line and annoyed that he thinks he needs to keep bringing it up. We are not all stupid
I do not recall seeing how long this short-term contract is for. Does anyone know?
Not very.
Unless Pierre is worse than anyone's let on, or is on the cusp of a move, it seemed a little surprising that we'd sign a 4th outright centre back, as Jombati can do a decent job there.
However, as long as Pierre is back soon and stays, it looks like Ainsworth has done a pretty good overall squad top up. The attacking options look a hell of a lot more exciting than last year, with Hayes seemingly half for most of it, Holloway's nose right out of joint with the Thompson signing, and Thommo himself who completely ran on empty for a long time.
Cocky Pompey, http://www.portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=569456, anyway my preconditions is a top 7 finish, so having a punt on promotion via play offs.
I know we were pretty dire last year and we did waste a lot of time in the game at Fratton Park the year before (which we should have won!) but the Cocky Pompey supporter's assessment in the above prediction is rather stark:-
6th: Wycombe Wanderers - The most despicable bunch of hoofing, time wasting cheats you'll ever come across. But unfortunately that's a formula which guarantees wins in this division. The signing of Adebayo Akinfenwa will only strengthen their ability to out muscle teams and thus I can see them kicking their way to a play-off position.
Having said that, I would probably accept a 6th place finish if it were offered now.
Pretty much got it spot on in my book apart from that I'd take exception to us being the most despicable. I'd say we had a few competitors in that section of the footballing Venn diagram.
Still better to be hated than to be forgotten.
My prediction is 70-72 points; toying with a possible play-off place, but keeping us guessing until the last game whether it will ultimately be play-offs or disappointment.
For the past couple of seasons for Pompey the pre-season predictions are the closest they get to promotion...
I reckon we've got cause to be optimistic for the new season even though we ended last season terribly.
Gareth has had a decent summer and has tackled some of the very obvious deficiencies that existed last season.
There's more pace, physical presence and ability to hold the ball up in our front line. That should add up to more goals.
I've no great worries about the midfield or our first choice defence, although whether we have sufficient back up we'll find out (pretty quickly as it happens with Pierre being injured).
I think we'll be competitive for a play-off place, although our tiny squad and the end of the emergency loan system means that injuries will take a greater than ever toll. Fingers crossed we stay lucky on that front.
Agreed @TheatreOfChairs . Our almost promoted season we were very lucky with injuries and last term the combination of injuries and players being off form did for our season, but, to be fair, when Gareth 'unleashed' the 61 pointers to no effect...we were still in with a playoff shout!