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25/26 season predictions

Sparky

Sparky

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Chris Greenacre
So what are people expecting this season?

Last season we finished 20th and although I think we’ll improve on that, I can’t see anything better than mid table at best. We still have issues in attacking areas and I can’t see that being fixed without serious investment.
 
I believe that we haven't got the firepower or the division level striking options, to not be in the relegation battle and I really think we will struggle to get anywhere near the top half.
Is there two worse teams?
Maybe, but I wouldn't bet on it!
Hopefully the Crosby effect will keep us up.
I just can't come to terms with the two relegations a decade ago, then the relegation from league one, then the lucky escape last season and the crap football we have since seen since covid.
I just wish it would end.
Will the slide continue?
Probably.
 
I think we'll comfortably avoid relegation this season and finish mid-table. Hopefully the top side of mid table and then maybe.....oops getting carried away now.
Optimism based on Crosby knowing the kind of players he wanted in defence and midfield....and seemingly getting lads he knows, who will fit the bill. Admittedly goals could be a problem, but he may get us playing in a way we'll improve our goals for - without signing the star striker we all desire. Also there is the chance one of the younger lads could come good with assists and chipping in with a few.
Accy could be down there again as they've had very few additions, although the keeper they've loaned from Southampton looks the part. Theyll be lining up one or two more loanees I expect.
 
I remember that Nigel Adkins was once seen as our saviour. Stepping in for Ian Dawes we showed promotion form for the rest of the season and secured safety. The following season, we started well with eight points from the first four games. Then we lost 0-3 against Gillingham’s ten men and the bubble had burst. The same could happen to Andy this season. I’m not saying it will, but most managers have a bad run and get sacked eventually. That’s the pessimistic view.

On the other hand, we could start this season as we finished last. With our improved defence, we are more difficult to beat and we manage to score enough goals to win most games. The takeover is completed in the autumn and the team is strengthened in January, leading to automatic promotion.

Which will happen? I haven’t a clue. My head fears the first option, my heart dreams of the second.

It will almost certainly be somewhere between the two. We may get a couple more players this week, which could improve the squad. So I’m not making any predictions until October at the earliest.
 
A lot of the initial optimism from Crosby's appointment has dissipated, after a typical Tranmere pre-season on the recruitment front. While the first team xi is probably slightly stronger overall than last season's equivalent, there is a lack of depth to the squad leading to a fear that a couple of injuries to key players could leave us very exposed. It's surprising that we haven't recruited a bench keeper given the injury to McGee and Murphy's veteran status, while the lack of fresh attacking options has been highlighted by many on here. Bottom third on the current squad and I'm not confident that we can stay clear of another relegation battle with our current resources.
 
It's obvious were our weaknesses our in the squad, I'm not too sure how strong the league is but think we will finish around 15th or 16th
 
bring back the cowshed! said:
I remember that Nigel Adkins was once seen as our saviour. Stepping in for Ian Dawes we showed promotion form for the rest of the season and secured safety. The following season, we started well with eight points from the first four games. Then we lost 0-3 against Gillingham’s ten men and the bubble had burst. The same could happen to Andy this season. I’m not saying it will, but most managers have a bad run and get sacked eventually. That’s the pessimistic view.

On the other hand, we could start this season as we finished last. With our improved defence, we are more difficult to beat and we manage to score enough goals to win most games. The takeover is completed in the autumn and the team is strengthened in January, leading to automatic promotion.

Which will happen? I haven’t a clue. My head fears the first option, my heart dreams of the second.

It will almost certainly be somewhere between the two. We may get a couple more players this week, which could improve the squad. So I’m not making any predictions until October at the earliest.
Click to expand...
BBTC makes an interesting point. Let’s hope the momentum from last season carries on but we know how fickle football fans are. AC has a lot of credit in the bank but if we don’t start well, and struggle to score then no doubt there would be criticism that not enough of whatever budget we had was spent on improving our attacking options if we’re still left with Davison and others.
 
Let's just hope to start well and go from there. That's all I can say about it really
 
Our finishing position has been worse every season since dropping back down to league two and with similar resources there is no reason to doubt another poor season.

AC will do very well to keep us clear of the bottom half.
 
I usually get excited about the beginning of a new football season but not this season. I can only see another low league finish, while the defence looks better on paper and to me the midfield looks similar to last season. I worry about where the goals will come from and who will step in when injuries and suspensions happen. I hope I am being too pessimistic but I can only see a season of struggle and we keep out of the relegation dogfight and finish a comfortable 17th.
 
Bit more optimistic than some. Morale will be better under Crosby for sure which will help. Fitness should be also though so many injuries so early is a concern.
If we can bring in a striker or we can find a front formation that works then playoffs possible though far more likely mid table solidity is my best guess.
 
I’ve just looked at the article drwhoman. While the Rovers assessment is fair, although I don’t think Lowe will make that much difference, unsure about some of the others. Cambridge in the promotion slots, Crewe and Crawley in play-off contention and Barrow and Oldham amongst the relegation contenders all feel unlikely.
 
Boz said:
I’ve just looked at the article drwhoman. While the Rovers assessment is fair, although I don’t think Lowe will make that much difference, unsure about some of the others. Cambridge in the promotion slots, Crewe and Crawley in play-off contention and Barrow and Oldham amongst the relegation contenders all feel unlikely.
Click to expand...
Boz, I tend to agree that the article is a bit scattergun but, unfortunately, I think we are in the right group! Prove me wrong Rovers!
 
Feeling optimistic now upgraded us to 23rd. Decent chance of being pleasantly surprised now
 
Her's what BBC Radio Merseyside thinks. Fair comment, I think,

Tranmere Rovers​

Chris Coughlan, BBC Radio Merseyside

Manager: Andy Crosby

Last season: 20th

Key ins: Nathan Smith (Port Vale, free), Charlie Whitaker (Notts County, free), Richard Smallwood (Bradford City, free), Taylan Harris (Luton Loan, loan)

Key outs: Regan Hendry (Mansfield Town, free), Kieron Morris and Josh Hawkes (Oldham Athletic, free), Chris Merrie (AFC Fylde, free), Tom Davies (Salisbury, free)

Expectations? It is difficult to say given the uncertainty of the situation off the pitch, with a takeover failing to materialise despite plenty of rumours over the past 12 months.

Rovers took 23 points from the 13 games Andy Crosby was in charge last season while battling relegation so it will be very interesting to see if they can take that form into the new campaign, albeit with a big turnover in their squad.

Strengths? Undoubtedly their defence, having kept six clean sheets in Crosby's 13 games last season, which was half of their total for the whole League Two campaign.

The additions of Nathan Smith and Patrick Brough at the back as well as the experienced midfield pair of Richard Smallwood and Jason Lowe certainly indicate that Tranmere will aim to be hard to break down.

Weaknesses? Their goal-scoring issues had them in trouble until late on in the campaign last year as they were the fifth lowest scorers in the division. They've also lost several attackers this summer including Morris, Hawkes and the injury-prone Luke Norris so there'll be plenty of pressure on the forward line to get firing if Rovers are to have higher ambitions this term.

Difference-maker? Player of the season Omari Patrick will likely be a key figure for Tranmere again after scoring 11 goals and providing four assists last term.
 
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Agree BBTC. An interesting and maybe slightly too close to the truth article on the Guardian football website about playing in L2.
 
So, six games in, anyone confident they know where we’ll be at the end of the season? Frankly, I’m no further forward in my thinking.

The positive me thinks once Ironside is match fit and Andy finds his best team, we will rise up the table for an exciting end to the season.

My statistical me takes our eight points from six games and extrapolates forward to 61 points for the season with a stress free but boring and frustrating season ahead.

My devil’s advocate looks back to last season’s similar start - two wins and two draws followed by two defeats - and predicts another nailbiting season this time.

Who knows? That’s why football is such an interesting game.
 
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