"I know we’ve been on Chief’s case a little this season, but he seems to have a simpler philosophy than Uffie in that it’s defence first, which wins titles, and then winning by one or two. If we back him, I think we have a great shot at winning in the next two seasons."
What do you mean by "if we back him"? Unless you are meaning that Welnix back him and give him extra money to spend on next year's squad, this is delusional. We are likely to lose Wootton at season's end and Kosta is going to slow down sooner rather than later. Our kids, with the possible exception of Hughes & AKH don't look likely to kick on like Old, Surman & Paulsen did. What specifically about this year's team gives you hope?
What do you mean by "if we back him"? Unless you are meaning that Welnix back him and give him extra money to spend on next year's squad, this is delusional. We are likely to lose Wootton at season's end and Kosta is going to slow down sooner rather than later. Our kids, with the possible exception of Hughes & AKH don't look likely to kick on like Old, Surman & Paulsen did. What specifically about this year's team gives you hope?
You really are starting to become a master of misery fella.
Crazy to basically write off most of kids in their first year of ALM football, after half a season.
Old - debuted for the Nix, May 2021. Didn't have a break out season until 23/24, and even then he still only started 17 of the 29 games he played
Surman - debuted for Nix, Jan 2022. Again 23/24 was his breakout season. Spent nearly all of 22/23 on the outer with a paltry 148 mins of ALM football, after 1,073 mins in 21/22.
Paulsen - first broke in the Nix as no 2 keeper in season 21/22. Got a 4 games that season when Sail injured, but then rode the pine for every ALM game in 22/23 behind Sail. Again 23/24 the breakout season
The clear trend the youngsters need 2-3 seasons around the ALM, before their potential is released.
Odds on most of the youngsters blooded this season will be better players campaign 2025/26. Nagasawa and Ishige if they both stay should also hopefully be improved, having gotten familar with the physicality. That seems the pattern with imports at the Nix, more a presence in season two & beyond. Wootton may go to Japan, but what Chiefy dismissed as just a baseless rumour has got totally quiet.
Nothing is guaranteed but reasons to be optimistic about next season.
Yes that visa 10 signing as promised would be handy right now.
Edit - and we haven't even seen young GSR play much yet. Everyone from Chiefy to the two big Oskars/Oscars (Zawada & Faulds) is giving this kid big wraps. At some stage we will get to see how good he is, but need to be patient, as he's still a bit of a waif for now. Apparently Faulds when training (thanks YH) with the Nix, last year was also mightly impressed by Brooke-Smith. These 16-17 yr old kids in 2-3 years could be real stars at the Nix.