York today.

[Chezzy_Blade]

Great drinking session in a lovely little city with some nice boozers on the side of the river. Oh yes and then there was the little issue of that game of football thrown into the mix which sort of put a dampener on the day. Didn't ruin it but never the less it was a sore spot.

Who else on here went and what do you put that down to? I don't want to be too negative because it was a nothing game but I could reel everything excuse out possible but you can't excuse that performance from a group of so called professional footballers. OK granted they have played a good few games this week and the legs might be under the cosh a bit but come on it was an average York City team all things said and done.

For anyone who didn't go all I can explain it as is scrappy, lethargic, off the tempo, not very creative and just not on the game all bar the odd chance. From back to front it wasn't up to it against a very average York team. The back four don't look totally comfortable. The midfield got the ball out wide a few times but the creativity and quality didn't match the last couple of games. In front of goal there was nothing much. The only real positive I took out of the game was Alcock. He looks a solid player who can get forward. I reckon he will become a fans favourite this year he gets better and better the more I see him.

Massive credit to our fans who were quality again today. Had a good laugh in the ground with the songs and stuff. And to the police officer I spoke to who didn't fob me off when I asked him for a decent boozer near enough to the station for a couple of decent pints. He also hinted that our fans were better than them lot who went up the other week.

 

[Bladesman]

Great drinking session in a lovely little city with some nice boozers on the side of the river. Oh yes and then there was the little issue of that game of football thrown into the mix which sort of put a dampener on the day. Didn't ruin it but never the less it was a sore spot.

Who else on here went and what do you put that down to? I don't want to be too negative because it was a nothing game but I could reel everything excuse out possible but you can't excuse that performance from a group of so called professional footballers. OK granted they have played a good few games this week and the legs might be under the cosh a bit but come on it was an average York City team all things said and done.

For anyone who didn't go all I can explain it as is scrappy, lethargic, off the tempo, not very creative and just not on the game all bar the odd chance. From back to front it wasn't up to it against a very average York team. The back four don't look totally comfortable. The midfield got the ball out wide a few times but the creativity and quality didn't match the last couple of games. In front of goal there was nothing much. The only real positive I took out of the game was Alcock. He looks a solid player who can get forward. I reckon he will become a fans favourite this year he gets better and better the more I see him.

Massive credit to our fans who were quality again today. Had a good laugh in the ground with the songs and stuff. And to the police officer I spoke to who didn't fob me off when I asked him for a decent boozer near enough to the station for a couple of decent pints. He also hinted that our fans were better than them lot who went up the other week.

From what I gather it was a bit like Crewe last season.

The players forgot they were playing a football match.

 

[Chezzy_Blade]

From what I gather it was a bit like Crewe last season.

The players forgot they were playing a football match.

Yeah a good way to describe it to be fair. Players are meant to be playing for squad places but none of them really looked like the wanted it too much. We had a few spells and stuff but we weren't on pace really. Didn't help that they were a bit on the physical side but still you can't use that as an excuse. Under par average performance against an average team. I wouldn't mind if it was York playing as though it was an FA Cup final but they weren't prolific but made up for it by wanting it more.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Clough looked really disappointed in the post match interview.
Big Bristols could give us a good spanking next week.

 

[LSF]

As posted in another thread, we were woeful yesterday and at the final stage of warm up, I thought we'd have shown a more pleasing aspect of cohesion.
Few came out with credit and of those who did, special mention to Craig Alcock who had probably the hardest act to follow, in the heavily over hyped John Brayford.
Easy for folk to have a downer on Alcock, dare he not come near Brayfords aura. However, evidence so far would suggest we've unearthed a gem of a full back. He displays pace, awareness, bravery and a good leap for such a diminutive figure.
He's one I have confidence in up to now.

 

[Bergen Blade]

The goals:



BladesPlayer subscribers can log on to York's Player and watch 9 minutes of highlights.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

Those goals were embarrassing and if we played like that the rest of the game we are in for a long hard season!

 

[bartman]

As posted in another thread, we were woeful yesterday and at the final stage of warm up, I thought we'd have shown a more pleasing aspect of cohesion.
Few came out with credit and of those who did, special mention to Craig Alcock who had probably the hardest act to follow, in the heavily over hyped John Brayford.
Easy for folk to have a downer on Alcock, dare he not come near Brayfords aura. However, evidence so far would suggest we've unearthed a gem of a full back. He displays pace, awareness, bravery and a good leap for such a diminutive figure.
He's one I have confidence in up to now.

I think the players that didn't play most of the game yesterday enhanced their chances of starting of Saturday.

I think Doyle is a certainty to start at Wallace has played around 20 minutes in pre-season. Scougall hasn't looked sharp and I wonder if he (and Baxter) may not be ready for the weekend due to injuries which could mean Reed starting. McGahey(as he did Thursday) wins a lot of headers but his passing is poor. NC may have unearthed a gem with him and ,with a little patience and good coaching,he will be our main stay center back in future.

I forgot Murphy was on the pitch at one stage but he will start. I thought McNulty worked hard but didn't look like scoring(remind you Lyle Taylor).

As for Diego,he had around 80 mins today to make a claim to be in the 18 for Saturday. I thought he was trying to do too many fancy turns and flicks in the wrong areas at times and seemed reluctant to play the simple forward ball went it was on. One good run and shot but 2 or 3 times he chose to dribble or make a fancy turn instead of shooting or playing an easy ball to McNulty.

The lad has got skill, and may have a chance of succeeding but I don't think he is any where near ready for a start just yet. It's a shame he had that time off with an injury as it has obviously meant he has lost a lot of development time. I think Reed and Dimaio are ahead of him at the moment in terms of chances of being in the squad.

It wouldn't surprise me in the starting line up on Saturday is

Howard

Alcock
Harris
Collins
Butler

Reed
Doyle
JCR
Basham
Murphy

McNulty

Subs: Willis,Flynn,Davies,Wallace,Porter,McGahey,Dimaio

 

[Silent Blade]

It wouldn't surprise me in the starting line up on Saturday is

Howard

Alcock
Harris
Collins
Butler

Reed
Doyle
JCR
Basham
Murphy

McNulty

Subs: Willis,Flynn,Davies,Wallace,Porter,McGahey,Dimaio

What has McNulty done to impress you yesterday? (I wasnt at the match). He looked average when I saw him play in the home friendlies. Doesnt have the pace and doesnt have the height to be the main striker

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Sounds very much like the Burton game a couple of weeks ago.

Perhaps the players have been told no tackling, don't get injured etc before the season starts.

At the moment it is still "In Nigel we trust" !

UTB

 

[Silent Blade]

The goals:



BladesPlayer subscribers can log on to York's Player and watch 9 minutes of highlights.

I hate it when our defence play the ball sideways at the back when there is strong pressing from the opponents. Losing possession leads to a very good chance of conceding a goal because there is a lot of exposure between the defence line and the keeper

 

[Fulwood Blade]

The problem has ALWAYS been in the past few years that the midfield does not "show" for the ball from defenders, therefore it has to go sideways.

Alan Hansen always said of Liverpool coaching - "We were always taught to take a touch and look FORWARD" - There should be 2 or 3 options to play it forward - we generally have none.

Doyle is the master of the square pass.

Not many liked Hill at fullback as the ball went square his ONLY option was to launch it long - but that was the issue as our midfield would not take the responsibility of asking for the ball.

We will miss Coady as even in his early days at United he always asked for the ball, with back to goal for the ball off defenders.........and where did he come from...Liverpool!

It's all about philosophy of football.

UTB

 

[bartman]

What has McNulty done to impress you yesterday? (I wasnt at the match). He looked average when I saw him play in the home friendlies. Doesnt have the pace and doesnt have the height to be the main striker

I think the choice is between Porter and McNulty (I am assuming Baxter won't be fit or i would play him up there). Porter,as shown last season,is best coming off the bench so,unless we sign another striker,there is no one else as far as I can see.

McNulty does look sharp when the ball is ball in the channels but I agree,he has not impressed but we are left with little choice .

 

[Fulwood Blade]

If Higdon signs this week then he WILL start.

Porter hopefully is 20 mins impact only.

Mcnulty may be the plan in a 4-4-2 formation - who knows what NC is thinking, perhaps it's Higdon and 1 other?

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

What has McNulty done to impress you yesterday? (I wasnt at the match).

Make no mistake, nothing at all yesterday . Very early days but he will only come near based on our miserable failure in the transfer market over anything he's shown so far.

UTB

 

[Silent Blade]

The problem has ALWAYS been in the past few years that the midfield does not "show" for the ball from defenders, therefore it has to go sideways.

Alan Hansen always said of Liverpool coaching - "We were always taught to take a touch and look FORWARD" - There should be 2 or 3 options to play it forward - we generally have none.

Doyle is the master of the square pass.

Not many liked Hill at fullback as the ball went square his ONLY option was to launch it long - but that was the issue as our midfield would not take the responsibility of asking for the ball.

We will miss Coady as even in his early days at United he always asked for the ball, with back to goal for the ball off defenders.........and where did he come from...Liverpool!

It's all about philosophy of football.

UTB

I would be sure that if there were stats on how goals would be conceded. High up would be due to poor marking in set pieces and losing possession when playing square balls at the back (or in midfield if the team is playing high up). Another one would be a quick breakaway when a corner is cleared

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think the players that didn't play most of the game yesterday enhanced their chances of starting of Saturday.

I think Doyle is a certainty to start at Wallace has played around 20 minutes in pre-season. Scougall hasn't looked sharp and I wonder if he (and Baxter) may not be ready for the weekend due to injuries which could mean Reed starting. McGahey(as he did Thursday) wins a lot of headers but his passing is poor. NC may have unearthed a gem with him and ,with a little patience and good coaching,he will be our main stay center back in future.

I forgot Murphy was on the pitch at one stage but he will start. I thought McNulty worked hard but didn't look like scoring(remind you Lyle Taylor).

As for Diego,he had around 80 mins today to make a claim to be in the 18 for Saturday. I thought he was trying to do too many fancy turns and flicks in the wrong areas at times and seemed reluctant to play the simple forward ball went it was on. One good run and shot but 2 or 3 times he chose to dribble or make a fancy turn instead of shooting or playing an easy ball to McNulty.

The lad has got skill, and may have a chance of succeeding but I don't think he is any where near ready for a start just yet. It's a shame he had that time off with an injury as it has obviously meant he has lost a lot of development time. I think Reed and Dimaio are ahead of him at the moment in terms of chances of being in the squad.

It wouldn't surprise me in the starting line up on Saturday is

Howard

Alcock
Harris
Collins
Butler

Reed
Doyle
JCR
Basham
Murphy

McNulty

Subs: Willis,Flynn,Davies,Wallace,Porter,McGahey,Dimaio

Clough said Diego's fitness was nowhere good enough yet, and it was the same with Dimaio. Diego may have lost a week's training after his knee injury at Burton, which required a scan.

 

[Chezzy_Blade]

McNulty wasn't really in the game yesterday but then again who was really? not many.

I wouldn't write him off though, I'm feeling a bit of Murphy, Flynn, Scougall and Mcnulty magive next year.

 

[SheepdipBlade]

We went to watch ASK PSV Salzburg vs Sheffield FC. 3-0 to Club and a good session on the Jaipur, Kipling and White Swan - with a pint of Baize for pudding.

Strangely enough - most of the Salzburg players were Man U fans. Funny that .

This was their only game here - and they had a 6 hr connection at Munich Airport each way. A bit bloody keen for a game against a Northern Premier outfit in front of about 200 people - especially as they only supped Hieneken or Guiness afterwards!

Club vs Dortmund at the Coach & Horses today.

 

[Bladesway]

Well we are either due a start akin to last season because they are all shit or its a friendly and we should forget it next week. I'm struggling with this "Bristol (City by the way) will hammer us". Unless I remember they came to us last season and were a steaming pile. What changed?

 

[Pinchy]

Well we are either due a start akin to last season because they are all shit or its a friendly and we should forget it next week. I'm struggling with this "Bristol (City by the way) will hammer us". Unless I remember they came to us last season and were a steaming pile. What changed?

They won't. It's the sort of nonsense people speak when they are disappointed with a result. Suddenly it's "Club X" will hammer us next week if we play like that. Well, maybe, maybe not, but it assumes we will "play like that" and the opposition will be really good.

It's the Bladesfans way and it's rather silly.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Our defending for York's goals was even more ridiculous than Fenerbahce's.
You see some crazy stuff in "friendlies"

 

[JohnDenver]

Our defending for York's goals was even more ridiculous than Fenerbahce's.
You see some crazy stuff in "friendlies"

I liked Clough's reaction to HM2's gaff. Really talked up his performance, said the mistake is part of his development.

 

[LSF]

I liked Clough's reaction to HM2's gaff. Really talked up his performance, said the mistake is part of his development.

As you would if you were his manager!

Deep down I reckon his head will have momentarily dropped into his hands(metaphorically speaking).

Like mine did (literally)