Pre-season games Chat.

[hallamblue]

A typical pre season run out for me against a team Three weeks further ahead in their pre-season, the result really immaterial as KM clearly looking at formations, player options and combinations etc.

I thought the first half was largely lacking in incident really, their goal aside, we had a couple of half chances but rarely troubled the keeper. Greaves looked the pick of the new signings winning several headers, Morsy as always stood out while Taylor was busy, again Leif Davis was poor with his delivery all too often.

The second half started off much better with Hirst a big improvement on Delap, this also brought Chaplin into the game and for 15 minutes we looked really good with those Two linking up well. I thought Harness was very good and stood out again today. All too often we got caught out down our right with Johnson often exposed.

Muric looks interesting, loves to wander upfield for sure, what a beast he is and will certainly entertain.

Greaves looks a real player to me and will be our main man at the back.

The jury is out on Johnson at this early stage, done some ok things but also struggled at times.

Delap had a early chance which he should have done better with and we clearly improved when Hirst replaced him.

Greaves & Edmundson look a far better pairing than Burgess & Woolfenden who again both look ordinary.

Lovely little cameo from the lad Barbrook at RB when he came on.

It's not important at this stage, just observations of what I saw on the day.

Yes you were clearly watching the same game as me Mike!

I would add to that, that I thought Baggot looked absolute class at LB when he came in. He won all his 1:1 battles and looks very strong, quick and athletic. There were a number of players missing who would have made an impact, so yesterday didn’t really give us a complete or true picture.

[hallamblue]

Second best for most of it. We had a bright 15 minutes or so at the start of the second half. Harness looked very sharp when he came on. One or two looked completely lost - Chaplin in particular. Only a friendly but while we defended fairly well we get cut open if the opposition attacks quickly - as with both their goals.

Teams with pace cutting us open absolutely is a big problem us. It was last season. We have no pace in the middle of the park and as a unit we are very slow to react. Not sure if that from the front to back or just midfield / defence ( probably a bit of it all tbh). But it caught us out tine and again in the Championship and it sure as hell will in the PL. we don’t have a lot of pace in the squad unfortunately.

[Charnwood]

Second best for most of it. We had a bright 15 minutes or so at the start of the second half. Harness looked very sharp when he came on. One or two looked completely lost - Chaplin in particular. Only a friendly but while we defended fairly well we get cut open if the opposition attacks quickly - as with both their goals.

Teams with pace cutting us open absolutely is a big problem us. It was last season. We have no pace in the middle of the park and as a unit we are very slow to react. Not sure if that from the front to back or just midfield / defence ( probably a bit of it all tbh). But it caught us out tine and again in the Championship and it sure as hell will in the PL. we don’t have a lot of pace in the squad unfortunately.

That’s why Hutchinson made such an impact as a sub for most of last season. Compared with our normal pace when he came on he was like grease lightening.

It’s clear McKenna is well aware of this weakness which is why Jaden Pelegrine was so high on his shopping list. Can you imagine the difference he and Hutchinson would have made with both playing in the team at the same time. Hopefully we will find an appropriate player to plug this gap preferably in the coming week.

[arana peligrosa]

Took a view of TWTD, first thing read we're interested in Blackburn Rovers Smodzics. That would be a real useful addition if we could bring in a forward player like that. Can imagine leading the line with say Hirst, Delap, Broadhead etc, that sounds kind of exciting if it ever came to pass.

Disappointing to read the Dusseldorf setback but it's pre-season and you can never read too much into things. Understand we've brought in a bunch of new additions last two / three weeks that will take time to settle in and work as a cohesive unit. We often don't perform for summer friendlies then go on to have a real good season thereafter, last year was such an example. Guess conditions at the stadium were tiring or oppressive and new players once again need time to fit in and work with (existing) names we got before them. 15,000 crowd seems an encouraging figure for a game of this nature or maybe I were expecting more.

[shabba]

Interesting that we are playing Friday and Saturday- with the squad looking thin I suspect some youngsters might end up playing the full 90 in one of the games. Baggot at LB, Barbrook in CM and such.

Be interesting to see how we approach the games. In hindsight having two games so close probably isn’t ideal now?

[hallamblue]

Took a view of TWTD, first thing read we're interested in Blackburn Rovers Smodzics. That would be a real useful addition if we could bring in a forward player like that. Can imagine leading the line with say Hirst, Delap, Broadhead etc, that sounds kind of exciting if it ever came to pass.

Disappointing to read the Dusseldorf setback but it's pre-season and you can never read too much into things. Understand we've brought in a bunch of new additions last two / three weeks that will take time to settle in and work as a cohesive unit. We often don't perform for summer friendlies then go on to have a real good season thereafter, last year was such an example. Guess conditions at the stadium were tiring or oppressive and new players once again need time to fit in and work with (existing) names we got before them. 15,000 crowd seems an encouraging figure for a game of this nature or maybe I were expecting more.

Broadhead is out for 2-3 months AP, he's got a hamstring tear.

I suspect the friendly game would have all but sold out too but due to massive stadium re construction they had most of the Coop stand closed

[shabba]

Surely tickets for the home game against NICE will go on sale soon?

[shabba]

And as if by magic - email from the club re tickets arrives.

[marko69]

“Nice” one.

[Cabanas Blue]

Under 21s now playing tomorrow with the first team playing on Saturday.

[Bluemike]

Another change at the last minute, loads of fans moaning about it as they've just arrived there, really poor by the club on this occasion, last week it changed against Dusseldorf too, all Seems a bit of a mish mash.

[shabba]

Agree - this is poor, feels like the club planned things and then due to the squad /transfers they’ve had to adjust at the last minute. I did wonder how an earth we’d field too squads in 2 days…

[Charnwood]

Agree - this is poor, feels like the club planned things and then due to the squad /transfers they’ve had to adjust at the last minute. I did wonder how an earth we’d field too squads in 2 days…

I must admit 2 full 90 min games in 2 days just 2 weeks before our opener v Liverpool did look a tad risky. Whilst it’s now much better surely Plan A was always poor scheduling.

[shabba]

Slicker will be busy today I suspect!

[shabba]

Slicker will be busy today I suspect!

Slicker just got an assist

[Charnwood]

Any news on how we got on today ?

[Charnwood]

What a great win for our U21 ‘s

3-1 for The Tractor Boys

[AzzurroMark]

What a great win for our U21 ‘s

3-1 for The Tractor Boys

3-1 defeat, but it is a 'great win' since we were facing a Bundesliga team who could easily have thrashed our youngsters. Sounded quite feisty too, with our lads not afraid to get stuck in.

[Charnwood]

What a great win for our U21 ‘s

3-1 for The Tractor Boys

3-1 defeat, but it is a 'great win' since we were facing a Bundesliga team who could easily have thrashed our youngsters. Sounded quite feisty too, with our lads not afraid to get stuck in.

Thanks for that correction Mark. Clearly I had a misread lon social media but it was 4am in the morning which is my excuse.

Still not a bad result against a full strength Munchengladbach first team.

[Bluemike]

Apparently today's game is free to watch on Hoffenheim's you tube channel, not sure if true but that's what I've read.

[shabba]

Apparently today's game is free to watch on Hoffenheim's you tube channel, not sure if true but that's what I've read.

That’s annoying, especially as the ‘five ganes for £15’ has in reality become 4 due to yesterday’s u21 outing.

[Cabanas Blue]

It looks like the rumour about Hirst being injured is right as he is not in the squad.
Team.
Muric Johnson Wolfie Greaves Davis Morsey Taylor Harnness Chaplin Hutch Delap.
Subs.
Walton Tuanzebe Edmundson Burgess Townsend Luongo Carr Burns Foyo Ayinde Ladapo.

[shabba]

Damm!

Be interesting to see Wolfie and greaves paring

[Bluemike]

Yep Hirst looks worryingly true, Burns on bench though !

[Charnwood]

Is anyone else struggling with quality of stream from Hoffenheim ?

[Bluemike]

No its clear.

Very good play from Taylor early doors

[shabba]

Clear for me.

Random but the away kit has white numbers on the back, is that just a temp thing and they would be gold usually?

[Bluemike]

Playing quite well considering, had most of the territorial advantage.

[Bluemike]

Get in Town !!!!
1-0 Taylor

[Charnwood]

The picture is perfectly clear but the commentary is running ahead of the picture. I think I need to get my internet connection checked cos there’s no way it’s anywhere near the 1000mbps it should be capable of.

At least we’ve scored .., well deserved too.