#1 [url]

Mar 23 09 8:54 AM

I think that 5/6 weeks ago when this question first came up I had reasonable hopes of a top 10 finish, which would have represented limited progress from last season. Obviously, we have imploded a little since then and I think it is fair to say that nearly all of us would view this season as a wasted opportunity.

We are woefully inconsistent, have little or no team spirit and rely way too much on one or two very good players. Jacko has made mistakes in the transfer market with only Brown being an unqualified success. Burch and Kovacs have shown potential, Gall was just awful, Oakes is not the player we needed, Graham was a gamble that failed, Sinclair has gone a season too far as has Horsfield (probably), Mullarkey and Swaibu are young and raw. However, I don't remember too many people saying that he had not spent well before the start of the season. At the end of the day you can see the logic in most of the signings but, for whatever reason, they haven't gelled as a team.

Jacko and the board knows that they must get it right next year as the finances will not take another average season. I think it is clear that crowds are a good 25% down on what the board would have budgetted for and, as always, we have not had a decent cup run to make up for it. The credit crunch and economic downturn have had a big effect too. The sale of Frecklington and the likely sale of Dany will balance the books this year but the playing budget is unlikely to be as generous for next season.

James - your use of phrases such as Board-sychophants and bum-lickers really do not enhance your arguments. The board have brought in a manager who, by common consent, was a very good choice 18 months ago. They have backed him with hard cash and off field support. They have worked hard to diversify our income and bring other people onto the Board. I'd like to know what else they could have done that would have satisfied you. Perhaps you'd rather our Board behave like the boards of clubs like Chester, Darlo and all the others who spend way more than they can afford to "live the dream"?

Its been a disappointing season. Jacko has probably made it worse but overhyping it but that is his style and he is clever and professional enough to know he has to get his head down and get it right next term or he will be another failed Imps manager. I am prepared to give him that chance.