We always seem to get things just a bit wrong timing wise....so for example had we rightfully gone up in 90, then with the brand of football and players we had and the relative state of the top flight then, then there was every reason to think we could have held on for a while, and at a time when plenty of money was swilling around for new grounds/new stands etc. who knows, how we'd have done when the Prem came along.
Similarly, if Wilson had taken us up the the Championship, with Black's money still around, players like Ritchie, Austin, Sean Morrison, etc maybe even Greer could have made DV happy and stayed.
Another classic, finishing 4th bottom in the Championship the season 4 go down to adjust the numbers....finishing 5th 78/79, just before 3 points for a win would have seen us 3rd and in an automatic spot.
No, just to annoy Batch, we've had a good season and if we don't go up, I won't be too bothered...
I agree with all of that Reg, especially the 1990 team. I would say we were overall a better all round
team than in 1993. There wasn't the vast chasm between the top and second tiers that there is now (or even in 93 for that matter). There was also a strong rumour at the time (which I believe to be true) that Hoddle was going to join as a player. If only it hadn't been for Carol Whatsername - whatever did happen to her I wonder?
HOWEVER.
WRT 'we don't want to go up this season', I could not disagree more. Let's face it, it's going to bloody bollocking hard in the Championship whenever we go up (I believe we will at some point). As for the players who you think are 'certainly' gone - Wes, Stephens, Turnbull, Toffolo, Mass, Swift, Louis T, Williams, I would say only Mass and Louis T are the only certainties to go.
If we stay down then yes, of course they are all certainties to go, I would agree in that instance.
I would have thought the next logical step with Swift, Stephens, Turnbull and Toffolo, as it was with Alex Pritchard, would be to play in the Championship. They might as well do that with Swindon (assuming Cooper wanted them) where they know the system and players, as anywhere else. In any case, I have a feeling we will sign Toffolo, even if we stay down.
In conclusion, now is as good a time as any 'in my opinion' to go up.
God I hope we do.