got that buzz back when i got the text through saying we'd won. can't wait for this season to start proper. boom!
completely agree, it was nice to beat Welling 4-0 but this result (albeit only a PSF) showed we are in a decent position. Some very promising cameos from the likes of Cousins, Cook and Smith. The future looks bright imo
It is a real feather in our cap and clearly the players are very up for it, and why not after last season. It is very early though to conclude anything other than encouragement in the performance.
These player's know we are in the market to strengthen and no one wants to lose their place after last season. It will be hard to find a more determined bunch than these atm.
I'm in two minds whether we even need to strengthen tbh. Obviously we could do with a pacy left footed CB and some competition in the CM department, but the fact that only 18 or so hours ago I saw our Charlton look dangerous against an established European side only re-affirmed, after a dominant season, that this group of players just want it. Something I think this club and its fans have yearned for since we 2006/2007.
I had a quick look at the english translation of the Sporting website,no mention of the two "offside" goals and in an interview the Sporting manager was moaning about the grass being too long and they couldn't pass it very well...seemed to be doing ok in the first half though!
(From the game) Great confidence-boosting performance and result. No-one let themself down; encouraging performances all round and interesting to see the two systems, with 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 clearly suiting some players better. Haynes in particular might benefit from that but played the 4-4-2 half yesterday - important that all squad members can adjust to both.
Eye-catching cameo from the Rangers trialist and two good displays at RB, apart from the main man. Cook impressed again, as did Smith but let's be patient with him while he feels his way. I've felt for a while that Green could do a job inside but good to see Waggy doing well there too.
Ref was a militant little dick - eager to brandish cards when players quite rightly questioned his team's ridiculous decisions, not always against us. He'll probably flourish under UEFA's dream of ruling out all contact as tackling is gradually eradicated. Utter twat and the players did well largely to remain calm.
Finally, I spoke to two Sporting fans at HT who were genuinely impressed by our standard, and needed assuring that we weren't now a Prem team after promotion. When I thanked them they reassured me that they wewren't just being polite and went away discussing the quality of second tier football in England! "We're proud of you, we're proud of you..."
Good note Paddy and write-up from Alfred...thanks both. I know it's an early pre-season friendly - spoke with a Spurs fan on Friday, who reminded me of the season they were brilliant pre-season under Ramos and ended up with 2 points & Arry coming in - but the encouraging thing is the seeming ease with which the players are adapting to different systems.
Hard to translate to the pressures of a league game, with a more frenzied pace and precious points at stake, but it's great to see the comfort on the ball and the ability to switch styles.
Comments
Great confidence-boosting performance and result. No-one let themself down; encouraging performances all round and interesting to see the two systems, with 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 clearly suiting some players better. Haynes in particular might benefit from that but played the 4-4-2 half yesterday - important that all squad members can adjust to both.
Eye-catching cameo from the Rangers trialist and two good displays at RB, apart from the main man. Cook impressed again, as did Smith but let's be patient with him while he feels his way. I've felt for a while that Green could do a job inside but good to see Waggy doing well there too.
Ref was a militant little dick - eager to brandish cards when players quite rightly questioned his team's ridiculous decisions, not always against us. He'll probably flourish under UEFA's dream of ruling out all contact as tackling is gradually eradicated. Utter twat and the players did well largely to remain calm.
Finally, I spoke to two Sporting fans at HT who were genuinely impressed by our standard, and needed assuring that we weren't now a Prem team after promotion. When I thanked them they reassured me that they wewren't just being polite and went away discussing the quality of second tier football in England! "We're proud of you, we're proud of you..."
Hard to translate to the pressures of a league game, with a more frenzied pace and precious points at stake, but it's great to see the comfort on the ball and the ability to switch styles.
Can't wait for the season to begin
Making our 3-0 win WITH dodgy officials look great.
Remember thinking how useful Michael Smith looked and ho out of sorts Yann was