The last start of season that you felt confident..

[Victor_Kruger]

Just thinking; what was the last start of season I felt confident, that bullish feeling that yeah we'll come out swinging. Think it must be 07-08 for me, Hughes last season. After that I never really felt it would be a particularly good season with only safety under Allardyce being something to look forward too. Since chicken botherers took over every season has been one of dread.

 

[Vinjay]

I'll just note the most confident...99/2000.

 

[blueandwhitehalves]

2009/10 without a doubt. Our points per game ratio under Big Sam the previous campaign would have had us 8th-10th over a full season. The Darwen End was back open to home fans with season ticket sales flying at £200 a pop. Givet, N'Zonzi, Salgado, Kalinic, Di Santo and Chimbonda were a pretty exciting set of signings over the summer. The Dingles were joining us to make it 8 north-west clubs.

Think that season was chalk and cheese to many. Legions of fans bemoaning sitting back on leads, hoofball and 4-5-1, at least as many others loving the Darwen End singing atmosphere, Dunn's indian summer and us lording it over Bolton, Wigan and Burnley.

 

[Drog]

Always knew we'd be competitive under Allardyce... except when it came to the Top Four.

There's a very good reason for that.

 

[blueandwhitehalves]

You get more points from a win and a defeat than from 2 draws which is an excellent excuse for playing weakened teams away from home against the top 4 if you ask me. And that's all we're talking about here, 4 games a season. Sam was more than happy to take them on at home.

 

[steve w]

The last time I felt confident on the first day was Sat 5th Aug 2017 - it lasted about 30mins!! Then back to normal Venkys service

 

[yoda]

1994

 

[Majiball]

95-96....

 

[Vinjay]

I assume the 2 comments above are both in jest? Mentioned 99-2000 though I was confident both seasons prior to that also. Also had confidence at start of every season until 2004 when I realised exactly what the trustees were doing. Not that I'm saying certain relegation was in my thoughts and from 2005-2010 it didn't worry me much in short term either. Medium to long term it certainly did. As for the last few years...well people know I wasn't exactly "around" for a portion of past few seasons (though certainly I kept an eye on the news) but promotion certainly wasn't something I expected. Lambert didn't come at the start of a season so that didn't really count.

I've said that a promotion challenge this season is something I'm confident of. Not changing my view based on one defeat though my concern is the clubs that might also challenge for the automatic promotion slots. 3rd and losing at Wembley isn't an unrealistic scenario and we don't need to have hopes dashed like that. Following the initial new signings earlier this summer relegation/admin hasn't worried me either. At least for the next 12 months and that's when the fears over finishing outside the top 2 may come to fruition. What would happen next summer in such an event?