What was noticeable about that 2013 team was how well those workman-like bottom-to-mid tier players played all season. Mzungu, de Boer, Suban, Mayne and even Dawson probably had career-best years. Whether Lyon is credited for their performance, or marked down for being unable to sustain it is in the eye of the beholder.
The absentee that hurts from that team was Ibbo. On a tricky day to score goals, Ibbo's likely opponent in Gunston kicked four goals.
It's hard to know what the bottom 6 looks like until you know how many players are injured. But looking at our list, we've got a lot of players with plenty of upside, without having consistently put it together. Our success depends on how much of a step up players like Ryan, Blakely, Logue, Tabs and A Pearce make, and whether x-factor players like Bennell can get on the park, and if our solid engine room can win the ball. 15+ games from Sandi would be a huge help as well (particularly if they are front-loaded at the start of the year while Hodor is building back into fitness).
If the stars align, we could be pretty good. Assuming the usual number of hiccups, we'll be mid-table at best.
