With the non event of transfers to improve the first team , so far, I currently see us as 0% top two 0% play offs 25% 7th-12th 60% 13th-21st 15% the dreaded "R"
Even with same squad as last year i fancy mid table minimum, team is a team no individuals and will grind out some good results. Im actually feeling positive for next season, Have people forgot how well we played as a team last season? Teams will come onto us which will suit us with our style of play.
If we get Aluko then I think you'll see 4-5-1 a lot away from home next season. Yann up front on his own, supported by Aluko & Haynes on the wings, with Jackson and Stephens pulling the strings in front of Hollands in the middle.
Yesterday was all about the run out and getting the players back on the pitch. Kermo in particular looks like he needs some game time. He looked massive and not in a good way, but that's what these games are about fitness etc. Was good to see some of the youngsters. Cousins looks comfortable going forward and as people have said Bover knocked the ball around well in the first half. Smith surprised me, I've never seen him play before and he looks a real handful. Pope and Mambo didn't have much to doand Harriot didn't really impress. Was that a shot or a cross? but it's pre season so he's expected to be rusty. Danny Haynes keeps impressing me. It was hard for him to break into the team last season as we were doing so well but I've got a feeling he'll play a big part this season. Overall good workout, the youngsters played their part and Sir Chris seems happy. Roll on Birmingham.
Bit worried that people are saying Yann looked very overweight. If its true he's piled on the pounds that shows very poor discipline for a professional athlete and I thought these days clubs kept a tighter check on players during close season. Yes I'm sure he can shed the weight before kickoff but not without cost to his pre season preparation. Shocked and disappointed tbh.
If we get Aluko then I think you'll see 4-5-1 a lot away from home next season. Yann up front on his own, supported by Aluko & Haynes on the wings, with Jackson and Stephens pulling the strings in front of Hollands in the middle.
this is like the sound of very much, excessive pace is something we have never done well
If we get Aluko then I think you'll see 4-5-1 a lot away from home next season. Yann up front on his own, supported by Aluko & Haynes on the wings, with Jackson and Stephens pulling the strings in front of Hollands in the middle.
this i like the sound of very much, excessive pace is something we have never done well
Bit worried that people are saying Yann looked very overweight. If its true he's piled on the pounds that shows very poor discipline for a professional athlete and I thought these days clubs kept a tighter check on players during close season. Yes I'm sure he can shed the weight before kickoff but not without cost to his pre season preparation. Shocked and disappointed tbh.
SHG I didnt want to make a big fuss of Yann yesterday, perhaps he always puts on a stone in the off season, and maybe that's why he didn't join us until September, until he'd shaped up.
I'm sure CP and the dietary team are on the cakes, sorry case. :-0
I had no expectations from the Welling game as it's supposed to be nothing more than a gentle run out.
Good to have that dominating 2nd half under our belts - but do remember, the players would be under orders NOT to bust a gut.
The running started on Monday, when serious training began - so I expect they've done nothing but run mile after mile so far, perhaps some players were feeling a bit leaden in the leg muscles. No player looks forward to that first week of pre-season training!
But sounds like a decent enough outing and after all that running, I bet the players were glad to get the chance to play with the ball.
The system in the second half was very similar to the way the French play, with Benezema as the pivot & the likes of Nasri, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Malouda & Ribery rotating positions around him. Smith operated as the CF and pivot, with Haynes, Cook, Wagstaff & Jackson rotating around him, while Stephens played as the holding CM/Playmaker.
This may be a legacy of the Euro Champs. Major tournaments are often the watershed for new tactics, which filter down into domestic leagues. It will be interesting to see if CP uses it again against stronger opponents. The movement and ease with which the front players rotated and swopped positions, suggests that they have worked on the flexible system in training. Haynes looked difficult to mark as he switched from left to right, Jacko effected the game well from both the central areas and from the left, Wagstaff popped up in every position across the front line, and Cook did a good job on either flank. Smith was v. good in the CF role, pulling defenders away to create space for Waggy & Haynes to run into, as well as showing good ability on the ground when linking up during build-up play.
For any Welling fans on here - was that a full reserve team in the second half or a mixed team?
I can only echo whats been said. We should've had at least 3 goals by HT but it didn't matter in the end as with the 4-3-3/4-5-1 we were all over Welling and eventually tore them to shreds.
I think Bover could step up this year. He makes up for his lack of height and strength with great agility and quick feet. He also seems to be able to pick a good pass and have a decent shot on him to.
1st time I've seen Cousins play and I was really impressed. In a few years time we could have a really good prospect on our hands
Bover was a player I was really excited about last year and I was impressed with his 45mins. Still think he needs to bulk up a bit but he could be a usefull impact player off the bench this year.
I thought Smith didnt put a foot wrong and hopefully he gets some game time this year (or loaned to a league one team)
M.O.M for me was Stephens... He looked really good allbeit against Welling. Looks like he is finally over his Injury problems from last year.
Also thought Cook was quite exciting in spells. With Haynes and Cook out wide we could really scare defenses with raw pace.
Looking forward to seeing how we match up against some really good oppo out in Spain.
After a worrying few weeks was good to be talking about the football for a change.
Comments
0% top two 0% play offs 25% 7th-12th 60% 13th-21st 15% the dreaded "R"
We played 442 in nearly every game last year.
Now with more pace out wide we have a different option and can allow JJ to move inside.
Yesterday at least it was a very attacking formation but we have Hollands and Wilson to add when we need more steel.
Looking forward to Orient
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=/watch?v=DuRLImymKtQ&feature=youtu.be&feature=youtu.be&v=DuRLImymKtQ&gl=GB
Was good to see some of the youngsters. Cousins looks comfortable going forward and as people have said Bover knocked the ball around well in the first half. Smith surprised me, I've never seen him play before and he looks a real handful. Pope and Mambo didn't have much to doand Harriot didn't really impress. Was that a shot or a cross? but it's pre season so he's expected to be rusty.
Danny Haynes keeps impressing me. It was hard for him to break into the team last season as we were doing so well but I've got a feeling he'll play a big part this season.
Overall good workout, the youngsters played their part and Sir Chris seems happy. Roll on Birmingham.
I'm sure CP and the dietary team are on the cakes, sorry case. :-0
Good to have that dominating 2nd half under our belts - but do remember, the players would be under orders NOT to bust a gut.
The running started on Monday, when serious training began - so I expect they've done nothing but run mile after mile so far, perhaps some players were feeling a bit leaden in the leg muscles. No player looks forward to that first week of pre-season training!
But sounds like a decent enough outing and after all that running, I bet the players were glad to get the chance to play with the ball.
This may be a legacy of the Euro Champs. Major tournaments are often the watershed for new tactics, which filter down into domestic leagues. It will be interesting to see if CP uses it again against stronger opponents. The movement and ease with which the front players rotated and swopped positions, suggests that they have worked on the flexible system in training. Haynes looked difficult to mark as he switched from left to right, Jacko effected the game well from both the central areas and from the left, Wagstaff popped up in every position across the front line, and Cook did a good job on either flank. Smith was v. good in the CF role, pulling defenders away to create space for Waggy & Haynes to run into, as well as showing good ability on the ground when linking up during build-up play.
For any Welling fans on here - was that a full reserve team in the second half or a mixed team?
Chris Powell interview with Wings TV
Stephens was much better.
Still give Smith mom.
Bover was a player I was really excited about last year and I was impressed with his 45mins. Still think he needs to bulk up a bit but he could be a usefull impact player off the bench this year.
I thought Smith didnt put a foot wrong and hopefully he gets some game time this year (or loaned to a league one team)
M.O.M for me was Stephens... He looked really good allbeit against Welling. Looks like he is finally over his Injury problems from last year.
Also thought Cook was quite exciting in spells. With Haynes and Cook out wide we could really scare defenses with raw pace.
Looking forward to seeing how we match up against some really good oppo out in Spain.
After a worrying few weeks was good to be talking about the football for a change.