Quote: Mrs Barista "Season over and a step back compared to 2020, passholders not renewing, an increasingly onerous lease position with the Allams. What next? Can't see AP going round again on the same basis as this year. Difficult to tell how much room for squad change we have but with the likes of Reynolds, Fonua, Taylor, Houghton, Connor, Carlos, Satae under contract I'm guessing not much. Very challenging off season ahead, need to find some positivity from somewhere to inspire and engage the increasingly apathetic fanbase.'"
This is the big question - what now? Indeed…
It’s frustratingly and extremely disappointingly true that we have gone backwards. We have undoubtedly signed (Sao, Satae, Swift, Reynolds, Mau, Jones, Fonua) and retained (Connor, Carlos, Griffin) quality players in the past few seasons, but for whatever reasons we still haven’t kicked on.
It is sadly true some of our key stalwarts are now showing real signs of being passed their best. It’s not their fault - all players drop in performance as they age - but it’s certainly not good enough for a club of our size and expectations. Big decisions have to be made for the Houghtons, Sneyds, Taylors etc if the club, who have lead the way to Wembley glory and are now leading us in the opposite direction.
I find it very hard to blame Hodgson, despite not always agreeing with his squad selection or sub rotations. But, it’s hard to spare him of at least some flack. He surely should have a big part to play in motivating his team and instilling confidence to execute effort and plays worked on in training. However, I’m happy to give him time - I just hope the club and fans have the same patience.
I feel anxious mostly about what it could mean more broadly for the club. If Pearson goes we really would be in e street. He’s ploughed money into us since taking over and hasn’t seen any return in 4+ years. He surely can’t keep up losing money to a team getting worse, and who’s fans won’t turn up. It could mean real, real bad news. I hope I’m wrong and he’s committed to keep with us.
What now? Hopefully end the season with some sort of effort and roll on the pre season with a couple of half decent players going into next year.
Next year…