Are there any positives to be taken into next season?

[Tootingyellow 1]

In what has been an undeniably disappointing season I am struggling to see any positives or any signs of progress that would make me think next season might be any different.

Our defending was embarrassingly awful at the beginning of the season, improved and has now degenerated back to early season form.

We are manifestly unable to create chances, let alone score goals.

The football is the most boring, slow and turgid I can ever remember, having watched NCFC for thirty years. It''s supposed to be a form of entertainment at the end of the day.

We are desperately short of quality across the pitch - with Maddison likely to leave. Gunn and Leitner may be gone, leaving Lewis and possibly Trybull as the only real quality. And, yes, I am including Murphy in that.

Just what is there to suggest that next season might be any better than this one?

[SwindonCanary 457]

10 views no reply''s think that says it all !    

[Capt. Pants 5,008]

I think Hernandez has shown a bit of class and effort. His final ball needs work, but he could be a very important player and I''m looking forward to seeing him develop further next season.Hanley has turned out better than I expected and we''re looking at future captain material there. Similarly Zimmerman, a bit rough round the edges, but superb commitment. His illness seemed to knock a lot out of him but will come good again.Vrancic, not everybody''s cup of tea, but a great passer. I think there''s a lot more to come.

[Mello Yello 2,572]

The Carrow Road pitch will have been re-laid......There''s a positive.......

[Mr Apples 1,407]

Naismith could stay in Scotland?Apples

[AJ 1,358]

Well, until the transfer window closes at the end of the summer, it''s all a bit hard to say really.

We''re bang on a midtable side, we cannot score and cannot defend, therefor we are exactly where we deserve to be in the table.

Positives to take from this season? Hanley is immense, Zimmermann is immense, Jamal Lewis has come out of nowhere to be one of our better players. McLean looks potentially a tidy signing, Hernandez certainly looks like he could give us options, and Remi Matthews and Godfrey have both be doing well out on loan. And, of course, the main positive is Maddison, but, depending on what happens in the transfer window he might also be the biggest negative! Overall, given the overhaul we had last summer we have done OK, changed all management and overhauled most of the playing squad without really looking like getting relegated which is ok.

As for suggestions we might be better next season? We''re only as good as we can be with the assets we''ve got, which means we need some decent summer signings to give us any chance of reaching the play-offs.

[BroadstairsR 2,273]

We might get rid of a few and, apart from the obvious, I put Oliveira near the top of my list, with Watkins not far behind.

We should have some money available to spend on new players, a couple of new strikers is something to look forward to, but we have to hope that Webber picks the right players.

He has been a bit hit and miss so far. Signing a young Sbreny when so much more was needed at he time illustrates this. Sbreny clearly needs time and, but may be this is the least of what he needs to become a striker in team which needs to aspire to the Championship leading places next season.

[Chip20 69]

We have been promoted on a number of occasions during my time supporting NCFC and very rarely have any of those triumphs been preceded by a season suggesting the following would end in success. Form can vary massively from one season to the next, not just for us but for all teams.

Just wait and see what happens instead of fretting about what may or may not be. I dunno about any of you but I find I am much happier a lot more of the time that way.

[Canary Wundaboy 1,423]

Maddison has been busy adding several million onto his price tag.

Lewis looks decent.

[......and Smith must score. 1,596]

Less silly KO times as luckily we managed to avoid getting promoted....[:D]

[Samwam27 606]

Hopefully we''ll sell NO, and buy someone who knows how to score and suits our formation/style of play.

We can''t be any worse in striking dept next season!

[norfolkngood 1,174]

we need to up the tempo in our attacking play create more chances for the strikers

losing a player like Maddison is never good but it MIGHT make the team more balanced instead of everything going through him

[Guest]

Plenty of positives to take if you''re that way inclined.

2/3 key signings in the summer and it could transform us next season.

[GenerationA47 864]

Our wage bill is smaller

[Sussexyellow 55]

According to the BBC website Maddison has created more chances than anybody else in the division, 103 of which 7 have been taken.

A surprising stat but one that suggests creating chances is not the issue.

[Rogue Baboon 0]

@Sussex

That all depends on what a ‘chance’ is

For me, we don’t create enough clear chances where you would either expect the player to score, or the keeper makes a great save.

[FenwayFrank 2,717]

Agree with this which is why I’m not judging Srbeny yet, he’s had one clear chance in 8 games. I’m sure some will say that he missed it, and yes he should have done better, but until he gets a few chances a game we won’t really know what he’s like in front of goal

[Canary Wundaboy 1,423]

[quote user="Sussexyellow"]According to the BBC website Maddison has created more chances than anybody else in the division, 103 of which 7 have been taken.

A surprising stat but one that suggests creating chances is not the issue.[/quote]

Finishing those chances has been the issue all season.

[Gordon Bennett 914]

Plenty of positives if you want to acknowledge them.

However I guess one can look at next season negatively if they so wish.

Another transfer window and pre season plus a season''s experience for our German imports is a positive, plus a clutch of youngsters coming into the equation after experience out on loan. Also a vast improvement on the road and the ability to keep clean sheets.

On the other hand experienced, high earning players are likely to leave over the summer leaving gaps to fill as well as the jewel in our crown. And a poor season in front of goal.

All boils down to weather your glass is half full or empty and whether you trust or are prepared to trust the Farke/Webber project.

[River End Canary 18]

Apart from fixing the hole in the roof beside where I sit there are none

[Taylor324 36]

I think I''m right in saying - we havent seen Trybull and Leitner playing together in midfield?

Assuming Mo is still here next season. I think having them both in the team (Mo in front of Tom + Tettey"s replacement) could be a good prospect

[Bill 1,788]

[quote user="Chip20"]We have been promoted on a number of occasions during my time supporting NCFC and very rarely have any of those triumphs been preceded by a season suggesting the following would end in success. Form can vary massively from one season to the next, not just for us but for all teams.

Just wait and see what happens instead of fretting about what may or may not be. I dunno about any of you but I find I am much happier a lot more of the time that way.[/quote]My thoughts exactlyWe began by losing 7-1 at home in 2009, 3-2 at home in 2010 and there was no indication in the summer of 1971 that we would do anything but muddle along as usual.We have seen clubs challenging for promotion only to fall off the following season and visa versa.For might part it is the way we have been able to find relative unknowns and improve massively on the performance. That is what to me is a great sign of a positive. We have the set up to get the most out of players and yesterday looked like the players having been cooped up all winter were finally let out on the open to let rip.  Murphy skipping past players was a joy to watch.After months of tippity tap we were once again treated to a full steam ahead all out attack.