When we are in a particular league, we gauge the "quality" of our players in terms of what we want to [can] achieve [Generally speaking].
That sets the standard for the players we need or want, in terms of recruitment, ability and cost.
We become used to those standards and expectations, which includes expecting mistakes and inconsistencies which, for instance, we might not be as prepared to accept in the Premiership, for example. The situation, of course, means that some players evolve and improve; they're more "capable" than at first - when we bought them or promoted them up through the Academy. The limitations of some players becomes obvious, but in the Championship we might accept they have a role to play at Boro. They might be "dependable" "reliable" "workmanlike", but possess little flare or creativity.
What I'm getting at is that we can't expect the current squad [as a whole] to perform much better than it has done this season [injuries aside].
With better quality, more consistent, skilful players we can get promotion, or at least be in with a chance, but we couldnt perform to Premiership standard to be safe and avoid a season-long battle against relegation.
That's a massive risk, because it leads us to where we are now:
We can't afford to have a relatively large financial outlay for players, who might get us into a position of promotion. Because, if we fail, we have a financial noose round our necks.
We are in competition with clubs whose financial capabilities make ours look miniscule by comparison.
So, we are going to have to expect inconsistencies, journeymen, developing youngsters "on the job" and looking for "hidden gems", just like dozens of other clubs.
No Head Coach at our club, in our present position, can call down a mine-shaft and summon up a Premiership football team.
There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, which is nothing to do with our dedicated Chairman, but a fact of football life today.
The day English [British?] football began to change [for the worse], was the day the Premier League was created, just like a private company, or a "Cuckoo in the nest".
So, for now, we have our "band of brothers" and trust our club can become a contortionist and find a team we can rely on next season to get us where we hope to be.
It's easy to start not thinking and chucking out exceptions [like Ipswich], but it's those rare exceptions which prove the rule. The question is will they survive, or make a complete mockery of the whole financial and power relationship in football (?) and come straight back down again? [See Sheffield United and Burnley].
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