The problem is - that unfortunately the season as a contest for us is over - we have been getting beat regularly and that becomes a horrible experience for players especially with some of the numpties on social media attacking every player -
Do the club hold the powder back and reinvigorate all at once a total fresh start or bring in 2 players here and 1 on a few weeks that will maybe not make a massive difference and then get into that losing habit and abuse form the fans (as it would take 5-6 imo to vastly up the teams performance to competing now)
Add in the fact teams as we have found won’t give up their players mid season (they want fees for them if they do)very easily and if your in a team in the top 6-8 would you give that up now to play for us in the form we are in or rather see what your season can hold and start with you new club in preseason -
The fact is no relegation has prob stopped us buying our way out of this situation early - but there’s no point in paying over the odds for squad fillers this season

How many more seasons can we keep writing off though? 2022 was a bad season and focused turned to the the 2023 rebuild under the new coach, 2023 ended up being a bit of a write off with a focus on the rebuild for 2024, 2024 is a disaster with a focus on 2025s alleged new investment and rebuild, 2025 can't be the same "Cartwright needs time to build his own team, we'll come good in 2026" need to start next season all guns blazing

I think as long as we show some amount of improvement, I'd take targeting 8th place next year, implementing some attacking and defensive structures and getting some fitness and resilience into the team.

We're going to have a better quality squad next year so long as the coaching and backroom are invested in properly we'll improve then we can look at adding in some real quality Recruitment to build on. Unfortunately it's going to be a longish process. As long as no one is expecting a miracle turn around in 1 or 2 seasons we just need to set realistic targets each season.

I can see us signing reynolds as back up half. We definitely need a quality hooker but expect it will be Borough and smith. With those 2, Abdul, Trueman and walker as our spine it still looks like a bottom 4 side to me, particularly with the likes of Sutcliffe and hardaker at centre. I have to say the recruitment is pretty baffling as it looks right now

That’s a sensible approach and wouldn’t be a problem if we didn’t pay off or allow to leave 2 players (both off contract anyway so wouldn’t have restricted any moves for 2025) who would have probably added a little bit of spark and quality that we are really lacking. In hindsight that seems really such a poor decision it’s beyond just accepting a bad season it’s almost sabotage, realistically now we are lacking the quality to win any game.

It's all about getting the right people, the right fit. Whilst I would have liked to see us bring a coach in now and make some permanent signings for the here and now (Briscoe and Aydin aside), we can't afford to do things hoping for a quick fix. It does feel like the club is taking a more considered approach to what they are doing by identifying the likes of Cartwright but at the cost of having to wait until next season for his arrival and making loan signings whilst concentrating our permanent signings for next season and beyond. That all said, if there is an opportunity to bring players in permanently now and also add to the backroom staff now, I hope the club is exploring those options. But only if they are the right fit and not just because they are available.

Jake, can't quote you, but that won't be the spine, Walker won't be here and there will be another hooker, can see Smith going.

I wouldn't be against Reynolds as back up half though.

To be fair, reynolds wouldn't be a bad option if he's cheap as back up. Would allow us to bring charles in periodically. He at least looks busy behind our poor pack

Said the same yesterday. Thought he was creative.

I saw yesterday that we are advertising for a new head physio. A step in the right direction