Quote vastman="vastman"Not especially but it would help.
Remember 2006, we were dreadful - following season with a slightly weaker squad top 8 or very close. I've said before this squad looked ok at the start of the season and they IMHO have grossly under achieved for whatever reason.
Finally I did put "NOT A CERTAINTY" in caps, what more can I do to make it obvious that I feel that top 8 is at the top end of expectation?'"
I think that if Smith stays, then we may have a decent shot at top 8 but, if he goes then, it will very much depend on who comes in.
We have seen it so many times, over the past 20-30 years that, assistant coaches from other clubs come in and fail miserably, not always straight away but, we normally end up in the mire.
Agar, Webster, Smith (Casper) etc, etc.
In Brian Smith, we have a top coach, who's knowledge is supreme and I would take him with a group of "lesser" players rather than a hopeful with a "better" squad.
Of course, he said that he hadn't made a decision and that his "life was not his own" but I really hope that he fancies some more time at Belle Vue and we may then actually avoid the "qualifiers".
Clearly, it was hard to miss the part of your post that was in capital's but, clearly we need someone capable of ensuring that players perform close to their potential and who want to play for the club, unlike so many of our squad atb the start of the season.