As much as I hate to disagree, I am not so positive on-field. Off the field, everything is looking great, no one could argue that but on-field I am a little bit worried.
The summer recruitment is totally aimed at this new formation being the new permanent one, despite the press talk of choices. If we go back to 3-5-2, the squad is one forward short and has 2 or 3 too many in midfield. But, its taking time to bed in. The players don't look comfortable with it - Houghton, Ennis, Jephcott, Wilson, Edwards and even Cooper (distribution wise) all look uncomfortable with it. It doesn't play to Hardie's strengths either.
The new players don't seem to be improvements on last year - Butcher is no Pan (who is!) and its questionable whether he is better than Broom on his performances so far. Broom certainly had more impact at the start of last season. Is Whittaker an upgrade on Garrick? Garrick arrived by hitting the bar from 30 yards on his first appearance, Whittaker doesn't look like he could hit a barn door at the moment. Mumba looks good but when Miller and Grant are back, he switches sides and then does he displace Edwards? Not in my opinion as Edwards is the heartbeat of the team, look how we missed him at the end of last season. The one who does look the part is Azaz but he doesn't appear to fit into 3-5-2 with Mayor (IMO that would leave the CDM ultra exposed) so he either sits on the bench or we stick to the 3-2-3-1.
I get it will take time but then I look at the fixtures coming up - Peterborough, Charlton, FGR, Bolton, Derby, Sheff Wed. All but one of these are expected to be in the top 10 come the end of the season. It is not inconceivable we reach the 10th Sept with 1 win and just 3 points from 8 games and then it becomes a real struggle with confidence low, an inexperienced manager and all sorts. I so very much hope I'm wrong.
On another note - we are crying out for Pan in this new formation. The club news is suspiciously quiet. Is he seriously injured or just not being risked until the transfer window shuts. I wouldn't be surprised to see him suddenly go or make a dramatic recovery for the Derby game if he is still here.
I too would love to see Pan back - I think he’d thrive as one of the CM’s (hopefully next to Adam Randell. Now a midfield of pan, Randell, Azaz and Mayor is really mouthwatering..