Dejection and apathy everywhere you look (and I am no better). Saturday's predictable defeat at Portman Road finally saw us slip out of the play-off berths and slide to 9th. On reflection, we deserve nothing more. How can you expect to be in the top half of the table when you have only won 4 of the last 21 games?
We simply have to accept that we are not good enough as a team to get out of this division this season and we shouldn't forget the consequences of going into the Premier League ill-equipped. So for me, we need to finish with some dignity and some respectable home performances. Pardew needs to sort out who is staying and begin to fashion a team from them in preparation for 2008-09. What is clear, is that we will not maintain this squad of players. The loanees are likely to move on and we need to sort out those who aren't up to it. I will be compiling my list on the beach this week!
Unless the club launches an attractive season ticket promotion soon, I suspect worse to come in terms of our fortunes. Our crowds have been artificially high for the quality of the football being offered and we could be in for a rude awakening. An adjustment to 10,000 season tickets would likely see gates next year plummet and a step-change backwards for the club. I will renew because I am beyond rationality when it comes to my beloved football club but I suspect my wife will call it a day, although she hasn't said it as yet, probably more out of loyalty to muggings than anything else.
The financial structure at the club would weaken significantly with smaller gates, less commercial revenue and club-shop sales. We could become a takeover target again and maybe that would be no bad thing although contemplating that speaks volumes for the current mood. The final parachute payment will need to be used widely and their will undoubtedly be a little more pressure on the team next year. See, dejection and apathy everywhere.
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