Whisper it - but this is looking better than a year ago

[Chadman]

Very impressive fitness, attitude, passing and discipline so far - I already feel more excited now than 12 months ago, despite less hype.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/m ... -1-9264313

[MutinyOnTheCounty]

I think it's whats known as 'going about your business properly!'

I know a year ago myself and many others fell fell for the Evans Evangelism. But in hindsight i'm glad it all came to an end, because the longer he'd been here the more debt / problems we'd have piled up. Makes a refreshing change to just get on with things in a rational and calm manner, rather than have Evans announce to the world that he'd successfully scratched his left buttock cheek and want media/fan recognition for it.

The ground looks so much better without having rose petals showered on the floor where Evans walked. And you can barely see the burger-grease stains from the occasions when they ran out flowers!

[bellwhiff]

What year was it ? 1983?

[Tippy Tappy Football]

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. We need a good start and to push up to the top of the league from early on. I'd be aiming for 10 points from the first five games in August. COYS!!

[Jimstag]

What can you tell from pre season? Overall it feels like we’re in good shape.

We’ve done well against higher opposition but how many league 2 teams will attack like that and leave space? How many will sit in and force us to play differently? How effective will we be versus that style? What will the starting 11 be based on that and will they play together in the same way? Many have said how the second half XL have played differently and impressed in a different way to the first XL.

Therefore plenty of unanswered questions, mainly the first one I asked! what can you really learn from preseason?

[Im not the real OND]

This time last season I said we had a stronger squad, but wasn't sure we has improved the first team.

This year, the players we have brought in will go straight into the first team. I think we're short in defensive cover for all positions across the back line, but the first team looks strong.

[Sedgwick]

Pretty sure people thought we were in good shape when coxy nearly sent us back down. "oo Fergus Bell and Alex Fisher look great finds off youtube and studer is the keeper of the future, and heslop is the midfielder weve missed"

The thing is you really can't tell anything from preseason. Im happy with what I've seen but I've been happy with absolute trash like above before.

If were around the top three and playing well after 10-15 games then its looking good! Praying for a good start to the first 5 or so games

[SINA STAG]

softly, softly, catchee monkey

Proceed cautiously or gently to achieve an objective

the really important part of Scouting is to become good Scouts — "wise old birds," in fact. "Softly, softly, catchee monkey!" Not by making a row, but by cunning and kindnes

DF has gone about his business in the closed season...

[Captain Cunno]

Please show me who said Heslop is the midfielder we've missed and I will show you a clinically insane person

[cerfjaune]

What can you tell from pre season? Overall it feels like we’re in good shape.

We’ve done well against higher opposition but how many league 2 teams will attack like that and leave space? How many will sit in and force us to play differently? How effective will we be versus that style? What will the starting 11 be based on that and will they play together in the same way? Many have said how the second half XL have played differently and impressed in a different way to the first XL.

Therefore plenty of unanswered questions, mainly the first one I asked! what can you really learn from preseason?

If we field 40 players our midfield should be pretty impregnable.

[Rob]

What can you tell from pre season? Overall it feels like we’re in good shape.

We’ve done well against higher opposition but how many league 2 teams will attack like that and leave space? How many will sit in and force us to play differently? How effective will we be versus that style? What will the starting 11 be based on that and will they play together in the same way? Many have said how the second half XL have played differently and impressed in a different way to the first XL.

Therefore plenty of unanswered questions, mainly the first one I asked! what can you really learn from preseason?

If we field 40 players our midfield should be pretty impregnable.

Not as impregnable if they are all fatties though.

Anyway, I think you can tell a lot from pre-season and I do think it is a good guide - when we won promotion in 01/02 we had a terrific pre-season, soundly beating some top sides. I am quietly optimistic of a good season and of being entertained.

[MutinyOnTheCounty]

If after 10 games we're roughly on a points-par with what Evans had last season, then i think most fans will be happy

[stagmanrob]

Please show me who said Heslop is the midfielder we've missed and I will show you a clinically insane person

The campest man to have ever pulled on a Stags shirt

[arsene wengers coat]

I was hugely swept away with last season's hype, and although i was sad to see Steve go, i was probably one of the first who were whipped up into the Steve Evans frenzy, to jump off the bandwagon. I never called for his head but it was clear that despite having a good squad, he didnt have a plan.

Flitcroft who i have admired is a man who i have wanted here since Murrays Mansfield got spanked 4-1 at home. I saw the football that day and was gobsmacked that could be produced in L2.

Flitcroft has a considered approach, which is underlined with immense physical fitness and prowess.

However, we all witnessed last seasons capitulation. We bowed out with a whimper and i began to question what flitcroft was appointed for. What did he bring to the table? Well, give the man a pre season, let him identify where we need new players and see what he can do!

Why would i get whipped up into a promotion frenzy again for, just to be so badly let down. Once bitten twice shy. I tink the term for how i see this season is 'quietly optimistic'.

:/

[Spiritater]

50 points asap, priority No1.

[Norman]

I’ve known us to have brilliant pre seasons and then done nowt in the league. Let’s see what happens when the real deal starts on the 4th of August?

[Spiritater]

What can you tell from pre season? Overall it feels like we’re in good shape.

We’ve done well against higher opposition but how many league 2 teams will attack like that and leave space? How many will sit in and force us to play differently? How effective will we be versus that style? What will the starting 11 be based on that and will they play together in the same way? Many have said how the second half XL have played differently and impressed in a different way to the first XL.

Therefore plenty of unanswered questions, mainly the first one I asked! what can you really learn from preseason?

If we field 40 players our midfield should be pretty impregnable.

Not as impregnable if they are all fatties though.

Anyway, I think you can tell a lot from pre-season and I do think it is a good guide - when we won promotion in 01/02 we had a terrific pre-season, soundly beating some top sides. I am quietly optimistic of a good season and of being entertained.

We beat Sunderland 3-1 and lost at home to Middlesbro. Hardly earth shattering

[Rob]

What can you tell from pre season? Overall it feels like we’re in good shape.

We’ve done well against higher opposition but how many league 2 teams will attack like that and leave space? How many will sit in and force us to play differently? How effective will we be versus that style? What will the starting 11 be based on that and will they play together in the same way? Many have said how the second half XL have played differently and impressed in a different way to the first XL.

Therefore plenty of unanswered questions, mainly the first one I asked! what can you really learn from preseason?

If we field 40 players our midfield should be pretty impregnable.

Not as impregnable if they are all fatties though.

Anyway, I think you can tell a lot from pre-season and I do think it is a good guide - when we won promotion in 01/02 we had a terrific pre-season, soundly beating some top sides. I am quietly optimistic of a good season and of being entertained.

We beat Sunderland 3-1 and lost at home to Middlesbro. Hardly earth shattering

The performance against Sunderland was outstanding, we also played very, very well against Boro. If you read my reports from these two games you will see how excited I was! Turned out I was right, for once

[Richard Cranium]

Please show me who said Heslop is the midfielder we've missed and I will show you a clinically insane person

The campest man to have ever pulled on a Stags shirt

Thats Mellis

[Dan]

Please show me who said Heslop is the midfielder we've missed and I will show you a clinically insane person

The campest man to have ever pulled on a Stags shirt

Thats Mellis

Is that the real Mellis or the one that plays for us?

[Conker]

No one can forget how abysmal he and that talented squad was after Evans left, but he’s got to be given a chance.

I really hope we start at least above average or it’s going to turn quickly for him, I’m not his biggest fan but I will not turn ridiculously early like a lot of fickle fans.

Everyone just gotta remember we all are in the same boat as MTFC supporters.

[DoomMerchant]

Pssst, shout it - ONE HUNDRED POINTS, ONE HUNDRED GOALS, CHAMPIONS BY EARLY MARCH!

[bobbystagsfan]

No one can forget how abysmal he and that talented squad was after Evans left, but he’s got to be given a chance.

I really hope we start at least above average or it’s going to turn quickly for him, I’m not his biggest fan but I will not turn ridiculously early like a lot of fickle fans.

Everyone just gotta remember we all are in the same boat as MTFC supporters.

the Radford's will give DF til Christmas at least, unless we are in the bottom two
more patience is needed

[MutinyOnTheCounty]

Pssst, shout it - ONE THOUSAND POINTS, ONE THOUSAND GOALS, CHAMPIONS BY EARLY SEPTEMBER!

Fixed it for ya, Doomsta!

Mercifully it seems like fan expectations are much more rooted this year. I have a feeling we might start off almost undetected and gradually edge to promotion as the season wears on, but for sure we won't have the pomp / fanfare / sloblock associated associated with the Evansgelical one

[DoomMerchant]

Pssst, shout it - ONE THOUSAND POINTS, ONE THOUSAND GOALS, CHAMPIONS BY EARLY SEPTEMBER!

Fixed it for ya, Doomsta!

Mercifully it seems like fan expectations are much more rooted this year. I have a feeling we might start off almost undetected and gradually edge to promotion as the season wears on, but for sure we won't have the pomp / fanfare / sloblock associated associated with the Evansgelical one

That 9-2 record scoreline against Rotherham has got to be under threat........46 times.