Season review?
Great job to retain prem core of squad over the close season but bought poorly in summer, to address just one of the problem areas (striker) while failing to address CB issues, left midfield once Pilks and surman left or ensure any defensive midfield cover for Tettey dodgy knee.
Neil Adams did ok but ultimately his inability to balance his Keegan-esque attacking philosophy by addressing fundamental defensive issues proved his departing undoing. His legacy remains an improved Nathan Redmond and improved BJ, by ensuring he wastes the ball less by moving him out of harms way to the left flank.
The appointment of Alex Neil was an inspired gamble - focused disciplinarian just what the squad needed - and our Brentford home defeat proved THE turning point of the season; the positional ill discipline from BJ, Olsson & Martin that exposed whittaker for the opening goal ensured Neil could hammer home his plan with the squad having no hiding excuse. It cemented Tettey as the teams pivot and ensured BJ transition to a left midfielder was permanent. It also ensured that we did not continue to experiment with youth who were not yet ready for a mans game.
Overall our expensive squad (prem in cost & quality, and reputedly the most expensive in the league) repeatedly underperformed to their talent across the season, even giving away auto promotion opportunities as they arose, but finally showed their abundant class when needed, taking the difficult route to promotion - so VERY ncfc.
Without Alex Neil we were destined to remain a championship side - he was easily our player of the season without even stepping onto the pitch. I hope he remains ruthless over the summer in ensuring we add quality and balance to the whole squad, remaining loyal to a goodteam but not fawning enough to believe we can start the new season with the team that started at wembley. He is perfect for us right now - hopefully this is the first of several successful seasons to come.
