Yes I know it's a little early to be commenting on 2014 and before anyone says it I know it can be full of what ifs but I think we have been given enough info or well as much as we are probably going to get anyway to start thinking about next season.
The squad - I think we have made some good signings to be fare especially in some keys areas but I still think it's nothing to excite the fans or the town and I have heard from good sources that he is more than happy with the team and has no plans to sign anyone else, having said that I think with the right leader and the right person to motivate and drive the team with the team we have we could compete easily for around 5th or 6th but unfortunately thats the highest I see us getting if we are lucky. I don't want to start slating anyone but nothing has changed my mind on the Coaching side of things and now the Coach has built HIS team and will have a pre-season HIS way and will plan to play the season HIS way. My only concern about this is if we start the season off on a losing streak how long is it left before the axe is swung or will the board choose to do what they have done this year and stick by him
The other thing I think is when you look across the championship some of the clubs have kept and signed some great players to their squads and can we really compete with some of them, Im not sure once again purely down to leadership. I really hope I have cake on my face next season and I am proven wrong.
Season tickets - we didn't meet the figure required for the cash to go into squad bulder and garry said that the figure was around 150 - 200 if I remember correctly and then he said he wasn't sure as they hadn't got the numbers together. Sounds a bit strange to me as any club would have a spreadsheet set up where you would be able to get the exact figure, I think even at this point we would be lucky to have sold anywhere near then numbers.
Fixtures - Looking at the fixtures if you were to group them into games that could be won or games we could get a bonus point from then the fixtures do that pretty well them selves in my opinion. The first 4 games I cant see why we cant get 3 wins and a bonus point then after that I think there's 3-4 games where a win would be great but bonus points would be more than good enough.
Club in general - The cheerleaders from what I hear are going to be great on a matchday and to be honest has been needed for a long time but how long will they last before the usual happens and they stop coming. Hope the musics right for the fans to enjoy too and it isn't just a bunch of girls dancing to rave music. Keep hearing about the promise of a shop/ticket office coming back to the town but I still dont think its happened, once again another boo boo by the club but once again it's not their fault its the suppliers
The one thing that has to change or improve on is the promoting of the club and matchdays because even though it is really important we sell the hospitality and function rooms and sponsorship etc to me that is the only thing that I see about the club. Next year the club has to really push on in getting the gates higher because for me last season was a let down in attendances I think they were exagerated at times.
Am I looking forward to next season, to be honest I'm not sure I'm looking forward to having the Rugby League season back but am I itching or excited to walk through them gates at cougars not really. Of course I will be there but nothing the club has done or is doing at the minute to build any sort of excitment or enthusiasm within the town. Hope they have big plans for after christmas to drum up support.
Would like to know how many others are excited about next season.