When they say give him 10 games..........

[Highbury_Blade]

Can we take the start of those 10 games from the first pre-season friendly?

 

[Toronto Blade]

Not the start he would want ,couldn't get one goal for the fans.

 

[travellingblade]

..... including missing a penalty.

same old ........

 

[DuncDisorderly]

Without wanting to sound too much like Chris Kamara... We missed a penalty? Where was that Jeff?

A typically disjointed first game, each half with a different eleven, each eleven made up from first team squad, kids and trialists. Some interesting performances. Thought our No 33 in the first half was the star (Chappell? Academy kid?) The rest was just shaking the summer out of the legs. Second half, Britton looked quality, as did Kyle Ried (hope he stays fit and healthy this term), and Ertl. Nat Foster could do with 20lbs off him but he looks a good prospect. Like the way he picked their right back up and chucked him out the way to get to the ball and Lowton took up where he left off with an accomplished performance. The trailists did OK without standing out. The big Belgian kid did have a look to him that he could play a bit though. [Edited: It was Edjuenguele. Vandelanoitte was on the other side looking OK but very short of match fitness]

Probably the more interesting bit was those not present. Quinn S. and Henderson D. both conspicuous by their absence, he said mysteriously [Edited: Hendo out due to wisdom teeth (having some put in, I hope) Quinn absent due to toe operation, so both explained satisfactorily]. Kozzy was there in jeans and Wardy warmed up seperately but didn't play. Still looks well short of fitness. There was also a strange moment after the coach turned up when after being inside for 10 minutes Blackie and Speedo came out and sat in Blackies car, engine running, with Speedo making notes in his big book. Maybe they were just sorting out the line-up, but were they on the phone doing a deal?? Who knows?

As for the singing section, we moved to the other side of the goal as soon as they opened it up. They are just kids having a laugh pretending to be grown ups. Ignorant and annoying, oh my yes, but I can't say we were a lot better back in the days we were youthful...

 

[jpblade]

..... including missing a penalty.

same old ........

Eh!!! What penalty. I never saw one.

Thought Walton had a decent first half before being stretchered off - anyone know what he has done - and thought Reid looked lively in the second half. Kingsley James came on as a substitute twice - once in both halfs and I thought Foster reminded me of Adefenwa (sp?) at Northampton as he is a big lad.

France (remember him?) and Ward were also warming up before the match.

Thought the second half left back had a look of Georges Santos about him.

Interesting to note that Blackwell was stood like a statue propping up the dug out whilst Speed seemed to be making all the decisions.

 

[Come from away]

DD how were our strike force - ineffective or some good movement without success?

 

[DuncDisorderly]

DD how were our strike force - ineffective or some good movement without success?

Boggy and Ched first half. There was one move where there was some nice flowing interplay and it was all very promising, but the rest of the time there wasn't much to get excited about. Yeates did get a lot of the ball but he was double marked as soon as the ball came to him
and he needed someone inside to open the play. Britton will do that.

Second half it was Nat Foster and Cressy. Cressy just took up where he left off. Nat looks a bit heavy although he got across the ground quite well but there is a definate touch of Heskey/Nade about him and if he continues to make progress I can see him making it as far as the first team. In fact James, Chappell and Lowton all looked the part so it wont be long before we can sell them for £15m to fester in some PL reserve side. There was a bit more going on with Britton and Kyle Ried and there were a few crosses although I dont remember anyone getting on the end of anything and we didnt really look like scoring. Mansfield to be fair to them were quite well organised and competitive at the back.

Whats to be drawn from the day? Bugger all really. We look like we've got at least 11 who can play a bit and hopefully we can get them on the pitch at the same time..

 

[Come from away]

Some good news but with Ward Hendo France Quinn and Walton all injured before we start, it is beginning to look like last year. Guess we do need a few more recruits or are the kids going to step in based on cash rather than quality?

 

[beightonblade]

cheap as chips shud never have been appointed ..................
he is not the man to get the best out of players ..... whether the players are good or bad.