second season syndrome

[goldie31]

Am I the only one who is rather dubious about this occurring? The feel good factor has been prominent over the last 9 months. Millwall were a prime example of this. Leaving Oakwell last Saturday, and returning south, I pondered over what has been a terrific season I can't help but think next season will be to much.
I've had an array of emotions this season:
leaving Anfield beaming with pride at our club despite the contrast in the score line.
The result against Southampton in the new year, thinking can we really go all the way?
Coming away from Cardiff in August having won 4 games in a row and looking at the potential of our squad
The last 10 minutes at home to Palace in September, suffering pain and heartache compounded by our 1st home league defeat, and seeing a true hero in Murray score against us.
The struggle that faced us in October not managing to muster a league win, despite steady performances.
The passion and atmosphere of the Amex. I was never fortunate enough to attend a match at the goldstone ground even though my dad has shown me all the pictures, (particularly from the final game against Doncaster)
I love our club so much, but always fear the worst, i'm not negative, perhaps a realist, but want to thank Gus and the boys for some of the happiest memories I have had in my life to date. Have a great summer boys

 

[Deleted member 18477]

I think it'll go 1 of 2 ways... We'll be brilliant and finish top 6 with ease... It'll be crap and we'll fight relegation.

I can't see a mid table finish next year. Don't know why. It's just a feeling.

 

[Notters]

I think you are being negative really, as I expect automatic promotion. But then I still won't moan if we get relegated, I'll just keep supporting the Albion as always. It really makes no difference to me.

Sorry you never made it to the Goldstone though, I still miss the terraces, the lumpy pitch, the people watching matches from their gardens, the exciting gifts for the last game of the season (usually a wagon wheel or similar!), even the smell of pipe smoke mingled with urine! But the Amex is great and we are very lucky.

 

[Bob!]

I think it'll go 2 ways... We'll be brilliant and finish top 6 with ease... It'll be crap and we'll fight relegation.

I can't see a mid table finish next year. Don't know why. It's just a feeling.

how can it go 2 ways?

 

[bhawoddy]

If TB lets Gus hbave his way then i think we'll be pushing again. Not sure where we will finish, it all depends on how we perform over the summer in the transfer market. Whilst i have nothing against any of the players at BHA, if we play the likes of dicker, painter, Brezovan/Ankergren, Harley, Sparrow then I think we'll struggle. Im hoping some of these make way for some solid signings that we desperately need to bolster the spine of our squad.
IMO - The following positions need filling
Goalkeeper, Centre back, 2x Centre midfielders, 1 x decent striker. Obviously have no idea who we will be looking at but am hoping for a progressive summer in the transfer market. Lets hope we dont make panic buys if we cannot get the right players in. Gus hasnt really been amazing in the market so far so lets hope this summer he gets it right. In GUS we Trust!

 

[bhawoddy]

I think you are being negative really, as I expect automatic promotion. But then I still won't moan if we get relegated, I'll just keep supporting the Albion as always. It really makes no difference to me.

Sorry you never made it to the Goldstone though, I still miss the terraces, the lumpy pitch, the people watching matches from their gardens, the exciting gifts for the last game of the season (usually a wagon wheel or similar!), even the smell of pipe smoke mingled with urine! But the Amex is great and we are very lucky.

So you wont care if we get relegated? Yeah right O.

 

[Mileoakman]

I think you are being negative really, as I expect automatic promotion. But then I still won't moan if we get relegated, I'll just keep supporting the Albion as always. It really makes no difference to me.

Sorry you never made it to the Goldstone though, I still miss the terraces, the lumpy pitch, the people watching matches from their gardens, the exciting gifts for the last game of the season (usually a wagon wheel or similar!), even the smell of pipe smoke mingled with urine! But the Amex is great and we are very lucky.

God that brings back memories. I can still smell those urine troughs at the back of the East Terrace, only about 10 yards from the burger stall. Happy days!

 

[Deleted member 18477]

how can it go 2 ways?

Sorry, 1 of 2 ways.

 

[Blackadder]

Am I the only one who is rather dubious about this occurring? The feel good factor has been prominent over the last 9 months. Millwall were a prime example of this. Leaving Oakwell last Saturday, and returning south, I pondered over what has been a terrific season I can't help but think next season will be to much.
I've had an array of emotions this season:
leaving Anfield beaming with pride at our club despite the contrast in the score line.
The result against Southampton in the new year, thinking can we really go all the way?
Coming away from Cardiff in August having won 4 games in a row and looking at the potential of our squad
The last 10 minutes at home to Palace in September, suffering pain and heartache compounded by our 1st home league defeat, and seeing a true hero in Murray score against us.
The struggle that faced us in October not managing to muster a league win, despite steady performances.
The passion and atmosphere of the Amex. I was never fortunate enough to attend a match at the goldstone ground even though my dad has shown me all the pictures, (particularly from the final game against Doncaster)
I love our club so much, but always fear the worst, i'm not negative, perhaps a realist, but want to thank Gus and the boys for some of the happiest memories I have had in my life to date. Have a great summer boys

I know what you are saying. There is no law that says we have to do better than the season that has just passed, particularly with the strength of some of the sides we will be up against.

However....... With the new seats going in, it will feel like a new ground again. The long close season will have us clamouring for football. The season only ended last week and I am already going up the wall, counting the weeks off!

 

[somerset]

I think we will have in effect another 1st season feeling, new stands/seats.... obviously new high profile squad improvements, thousands of new season ticket holders....... its all good.

 

[Braders]

It is something I'm worried about it has to be said.

Depends what Gus brings in over the summer I guess.

 

[Washie]

I think it'll go 1 of 2 ways... We'll be brilliant and finish top 6 with ease... It'll be crap and we'll fight relegation.

I can't see a mid table finish next year. Don't know why. It's just a feeling.

Because we never have a boring mid-table season, it's either fight for promotion or scrap against relegation

 

[Stat Brother]

No team with Drogba in will be in a relegation fight.

 

[oldalbiongirl]

Second season syndrome being: Even bigger crowds, even better stadium, more experienced team, more experienced manager. Looking forward to second season syndrome already!

 

[Gullzone]

If TB lets Gus hbave his way then i think we'll be pushing again. Not sure where we will finish, it all depends on how we perform over the summer in the transfer market. Whilst i have nothing against any of the players at BHA, if we play the likes of dicker, painter, Brezovan/Ankergren, Harley, Sparrow then I think we'll struggle. Im hoping some of these make way for some solid signings that we desperately need to bolster the spine of our squad.
IMO - The following positions need filling
Goalkeeper, Centre back, 2x Centre midfielders, 1 x decent striker. Obviously have no idea who we will be looking at but am hoping for a progressive summer in the transfer market. Lets hope we dont make panic buys if we cannot get the right players in. Gus hasnt really been amazing in the market so far so lets hope this summer he gets it right. In GUS we Trust!

i agree with BHAWODDY

 

[sparkie]

The only 2 potential negatives for next season I can see are

1 - Possibly losing Vicente, who'll be impossible to replace with similar quality.
2 - Gus being poached by another team.

Neither may happen, although 1 is the most likely.

Everything else points to a better season next year, although undoubtedly it's going to be a much tougher league with Leeds and Leicester possibly improving a lot.

Let's hope Gus gets his budget and the players he wants.

 

[Gullzone]

Oh the memories of the Goldstone -
Peter Ward et al;
The away fans right next to the North Stand in the chicken run pen;
Giving Charlie George stick from the North Stand when Derby came down - happy days

 

[T soprano]

Second season syndrome being: Even bigger crowds, even better stadium, more experienced team, more experienced manager. Looking forward to second season syndrome already!

Exactly . Positive thinking we will get promoted next season if not can't wait for the season after and so on we will reach the promised land soon

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Teams promoted from Third Division during the season of 2003/2004

Club/1st season in Div 2/2nd season in Div 2

Plymouth 17th / 14th
QPR 11th / 21st
Brighton 20th / 24th


Teams promoted from Third Division during the season of 2004/2005

Club/1st season in Div 2/2nd season in Div 2

Luton 10th / 23rd
Hull 18th / 21st
Sheff Wed 19th / 9th


Teams promoted from Third Division during the season of 2005/2006

Club/1st season in Div 2/2nd season in Div 2

Southend REL / N/A
Colchester 10th / REL
Barnsley 20th / 18th


Teams promoted from Third Division during the season of 2006/2007

Club/1st season in Div 2/2nd season in Div 2

Scunthorpe REL / N/A
Bristol City 4th / 10th
Blackpool 19th / 16th


Teams promoted from Third Division during the season of 2007/2008

Club/1st season in Div 2/2nd season in Div 2

Swansea 8th / 7th
Forest 19th / 3rd
Doncaster 14th / 12th


Teams promoted from Third Division during the season of 2008/2009

Club/1st season in Div 2/2nd season in Div 2

Leicester 5th / 10th
Peterboro' REL / N/A
Scunthorpe 20th / 24th


Teams promoted from Third Division during the season of 2009/2010

Club/1st season in Div 2/2nd season in Div 2

Leeds 7th / 14th
Norwich PRO / N/A
Millwall 9th / 16th

In the last seven seasons, seven clubs have surpassed their previous seasons performance and 10 clubs have deteriorated. Four clubs were ineligible as they did not hang around in the division long enough.

 

[Diego Napier]

I love our club so much, but always fear the worst, i'm not negative, perhaps a realist, but want to thank Gus and the boys for some of the happiest memories I have had in my life to date. Have a great summer boys

I think that if you always fear the worst then by definition you must be negative. A realist would recognise that there are always ups and downs (i.e. the Withdean years!)