I remember the League cup game v Peterborough where Ba looked a very good Championship midfielder, certainly a cut above their midfield that day (albeit Peterborough started that season poorly).
My point is that even early season cup games can be deceptive, so really do not stress about a pre-season friendly. Having said that, still thought Watt, Bauer and KAG were poor.
Barnes showing signs of a decent FB (slightly out of best position) and Ceballos have been the big pluses for me so far.
Bit of a touchy response... I say it as I see it and I'd advise you to have another watch of their third goal.
To be fair, my mind has already been made up on Sarr. Even before tonights game I thought he was useless. I thought he panicked under pressure and completely lost the man for their third/ was nowhere to be seen/out of position.
As Bauer was mentioned; he didn't play well, but I have seen him play well, therefore he is not shit. IMO.
Did Limerick basically play their strongest 11 throughout the match?
Having to play different teams in each half, and with a few players rested for minor injuries, will always stretch the squad depth and team understanding, but if there are weaknesses, it's good to have them revealed now.
Bit of a touchy response... I say it as I see it and I'd advise you to have another watch of their third goal.
To be fair, my mind has already been made up on Sarr. Even before tonights game I thought he was useless. I thought he panicked under pressure and completely lost the man for their third/ was nowhere to be seen/out of position.
As Bauer was mentioned; he didn't play well, but I have seen him play well, therefore he is not shit. IMO.
Entitled to your opinion, still agree with others that criticising someone in a pre-season game for very little wrong is unfair. Of course, as you have admitted, you did so because your mind is made up and so the guy could have played like Beckenbauer and you would still criticise him.
Bit of a touchy response... I say it as I see it and I'd advise you to have another watch of their third goal.
To be fair, my mind has already been made up on Sarr. Even before tonights game I thought he was useless. I thought he panicked under pressure and completely lost the man for their third/ was nowhere to be seen/out of position.
As Bauer was mentioned; he didn't play well, but I have seen him play well, therefore he is not shit. IMO.
Entitled to your opinion, still agree with others that criticising someone in a pre-season game for very little wrong is unfair. Of course, as you have admitted, you did so because your mind is made up and so the guy could have played like Beckenbauer and you would still criticise him.
Sarr is a multi million pound flop who is symbollic of this regimes incompetence. I really don't rate him at all.
However if he started turning in performances to the standard of the all-time greatest defender in the world, then I am sure I could change my mind.
I know early pre-season matches are not much more than a training exercise.
Bit I'm still a little surprised that we've got matches on successive days - it's quite a big ask of players with recovery time etc, at this stage of their fitness, especially against a fit team already in their own mid-season.
Bit of a touchy response... I say it as I see it and I'd advise you to have another watch of their third goal.
To be fair, my mind has already been made up on Sarr. Even before tonights game I thought he was useless. I thought he panicked under pressure and completely lost the man for their third/ was nowhere to be seen/out of position.
As Bauer was mentioned; he didn't play well, but I have seen him play well, therefore he is not shit. IMO.
Entitled to your opinion, still agree with others that criticising someone in a pre-season game for very little wrong is unfair. Of course, as you have admitted, you did so because your mind is made up and so the guy could have played like Beckenbauer and you would still criticise him.
Sarr is a multi million pound flop who is symbollic of this regimes incompetence. I really don't rate him at all.
However if he started turning in performances to the standard of the all-time greatest defender in the world, then I am sure I could change my mind.
He is also someone I am sure you have seen play on a handful of occasions. The point made above is that you are giving him stick because you don't rate him, and not necessarily for something he did/did not do in tonights game.
In your defence, I would be surprised if Robinson is keen to keep him. But surely a guy who has played in the Champions League has the ability to play in League 1.
Bit of a touchy response... I say it as I see it and I'd advise you to have another watch of their third goal.
To be fair, my mind has already been made up on Sarr. Even before tonights game I thought he was useless. I thought he panicked under pressure and completely lost the man for their third/ was nowhere to be seen/out of position.
As Bauer was mentioned; he didn't play well, but I have seen him play well, therefore he is not shit. IMO.
Entitled to your opinion, still agree with others that criticising someone in a pre-season game for very little wrong is unfair. Of course, as you have admitted, you did so because your mind is made up and so the guy could have played like Beckenbauer and you would still criticise him.
Sarr is a multi million pound flop who is symbollic of this regimes incompetence. I really don't rate him at all.
However if he started turning in performances to the standard of the all-time greatest defender in the world, then I am sure I could change my mind.
He's played 12 games for us FFS, most of those over 18 months ago, and half of those away from home, so unless you were a die hard home and away fan during that time, I doubt you've seen him more than half a dozen times.
6 foot 5 left footed centre backs, with his athleticism, are hard to come by, and when initially coming here and playing for us he had the pressure of being in a new country, with a hefty price tag on his head, playing in a disjointed defence with multiple defensive partners. Then someone came up with a song about him and KM and suddenly he's the go-to guy for regime flops.
He looked better than Bauer tonight, shall we write him off now?
Bit of a touchy response... I say it as I see it and I'd advise you to have another watch of their third goal.
To be fair, my mind has already been made up on Sarr. Even before tonights game I thought he was useless. I thought he panicked under pressure and completely lost the man for their third/ was nowhere to be seen/out of position.
As Bauer was mentioned; he didn't play well, but I have seen him play well, therefore he is not shit. IMO.
Entitled to your opinion, still agree with others that criticising someone in a pre-season game for very little wrong is unfair. Of course, as you have admitted, you did so because your mind is made up and so the guy could have played like Beckenbauer and you would still criticise him.
Sarr is a multi million pound flop who is symbollic of this regimes incompetence. I really don't rate him at all.
However if he started turning in performances to the standard of the all-time greatest defender in the world, then I am sure I could change my mind.
He's played 12 games for us FFS, most of those over 18 months ago, and half of those away from home, so unless you were a die hard home and away fan during that time, I doubt you've seen him more than half a dozen times.
6 foot 5 left footed centre backs, with his athleticism, are hard to come by, and when initially coming here and playing for us he had the pressure of being in a new country, with a hefty price tag on his head, playing in a disjointed defence with multiple defensive partners. Then someone came up with a song about him and KM and suddenly he's the go-to guy for regime flops.
He looked better than Bauer tonight, shall we write him off now?
I don't know if you're arguing for arguments sake or are just trying to get a rise out of me. I've already stated that Bauer played poorly, but has put in a number of good performances when it mattered. So no, I would say he should not be written off.
There's a reason Sarr has only played 12 games for us - because he is pants!
You go ahead and start your Naby Sarr fan club. I'm sure there will be plenty of you.
In your defence, I would be surprised if Robinson is keen to keep him. But surely a guy who has played in the Champions League has the ability to play in League 1.
Well Mowgli, our resident Football Manager scout certainly thought so!
Also, there have been dozens of teams with squads full of sub League 1 standard players to qualify for the Champions League by default, due to the standard of domestic competition.
Right, I quite enjoy these, thank you everyone for humoring me.
Good run out. Looked to tire as the game went on. This looks like a team with a lot of talented players. Think about this team versus the friendlies last year. Those were probably against stronger opposition, but we were awful and looked absolutely lost. We seem to have a shape and some patterns of play this summer.
Phillips: Could do nothing about either goal. Both were absolute mustard. As has been pointed out, his poor kick lead to the free kick where they scored, and he looked out of position on a couple occasions (including the one where Bauer was turned). We need another goalkeeper to put pressure on him. I'm hoping Martin signs by Welling. Charles-Cook: One of our best players. Looks to have grown and filled out a bit. Solid in the first half. Looked very tidy in the second. Good technically, strong on the ball, and has a nice turn of pace. Kept playing the ball into feet and looking to play 1-2s. Not bringing him to Ireland (at least I don't think he was there) looks a very odd decision. Every time I see him he looks to have all the tools. Konsa: Assured. Good on the ball. Did everything asked of him. Pearce: Looked a threat in their penalty box. May or may not have scored. Did everything asked of him. Barnes: He looks very tidy indeed. Big, strong, and quick. Very good on the ball. Looked dangerous going forward and his 1-v-1 defending was largely very good. On the occasion he got nutmegged he recovered to put pressure on the ball. Right now I would hold off on signing another right back and give him a chance to step in if something happens to Solly. Crofts: Had some heavy touches and wayward passes. Game seemed to pass him by a bit. I'm still not 100% convinced by him. He was a tenacious player who liked to put himself about, but his legs have gone, and I'm just not convinced he has the technique or positional sense to play in that holding role. Good squad player, but hoping the likes of Kashi, JFC, Aribo, and perhaps others are ahead of him this year. Aribo: Again looked very tidy. Pressed well, won the ball back, danger from set pieces. He may not quite have the positional discipline to play in one of the 2 deeper midfield positions yet, but he has all the tools. Think this could be a real breakout year for him. Stewart: Couple good set piece deliveries, had a really good cross from deep for Magennis to head over. Had a couple of bad set pieces and crosses straight into touch. Looked to be trying to hard. Has been out of the game for a year and looks rusty. We all know what he's capable of. Hope he's given a chance to play himself into some form. Watt: Worked harder than usual again, but nothing came off for him. Thought he took up some good positions, but the worry with him is that he isn't a lone forward, and isn't a good enough passer for the #10 role. At least he still looks interested, and maybe can play himself into form. KAG: Didn't quite come off for him today. Worked hard, and tried too hard at times. Looked to run at the defense. Keep playing him, it feels like he may play himself into form, especially if he gets a goal or two. Magennis: Scored one and could have had another but for a good save. Looked very good given this is his fourth day of pre-season. Think he'll get 20 goals this year.
2nd half: AMB: Didn't have much to do. Had a couple nervous touches. Not much he could do for the goal. Tex: Played at a walking pace but he's 1) not a right back and 2) is a good enough footballer to get away with it. Doubt he'll be here at the end of August. I kind of hope we loan him out this year so that he could potentially come back next year if we're in the Championship. I think he could be a very good defender at that level, but League One isn't quite right for him. Sarr: Didn't have much to do, didn't do much wrong. On first look it seemed he could have closed down better for the 3rd goal, but the camera angle was so far away it's hard to know, and on the replay at the end it looked like there wasn't much he could do. Bauer: Got turned a couple times. That's always a risk with him. Not the end of the world though, hope that at least one of him or Tex are with us this season. JJ: Got up and back and provided an outlet. Ceballos: Well, well, well. Was absolutely runnin tings at times in the second half. Great range of passing. Should have scored on the pullback to the penalty spot. Nearly scored from 20 yards with a right footed shot. He has all the tools, and I think he should be seriously considered to be a part of the team this year. Dijksteel: Made a couple of early mistakes, but grew into the game, always showed for the ball, and looked stronger on it as the game went on. Expect he'll have better days. Always nice to see a Dutchman wearing 14. Marshall: Didn't really get a chance to show what he can do given the game was condensed in the second half. Clarke: I suspect he's going to split opinions this year. Finds his way into pockets of space nicely, looks to turn and run at the defense. He's certainly tidy, but question will be "is there an end product there?"
Henry: He's a traitor, and I've always said this. Donald Trump Jr.: Who tweets out potentially self-incriminating evidence?! Letting the side down. Still above Tiffany in Trump's "Favorite Children" list, and that is unlikely to change.
Happy with the first half performance. Barnes, aribo, konsa, Josh and Pearce for me were stand outs. Others were ok. Good movement from all.
Second half was alot different. Without Josh up front there wasn't much to aim at. Kag played well as a winger first half though his final pass or shot needs alot of improvement, second half as striker he was too similar to ajose. Isolated and little threat.
New boys marshal and Clarke for me did little. Very rarely getting into a decent position or getting a cross over.
Cellabos was the man of that half. Plenty of cross field passing and trying to link up with others on quick 1 2s.
Bauer looked good at heading the ball away but got caught out when the ball did get behind him.
Still its the second match of pre season so as others have said probably best I and others don't look too much into this. You never know, we could get much worse.
In your defence, I would be surprised if Robinson is keen to keep him. But surely a guy who has played in the Champions League has the ability to play in League 1.
Well Mowgli, our resident Football Manager scout certainly thought so!
Also, there have been dozens of teams with squads full of sub League 1 standard players to qualify for the Champions League by default, due to the standard of domestic competition.
ok go on then, tell me the dozens of teams who have qualified for the Champions League group stages who couldn't cut it in League 1?
Think we found out KAG not a centre forward but can play left or right of the 3
really? He played down the left and was poor IMO. In this formation though, he's only going to play out wide as I don't think he can play a lone striker role, same with Ajose and Watt.
Thought we lost our way second half after looking comfortable first half. Not sure we have anybody other than Mcguiness to play the sole striker role properly.
Always liked Baur but thought he was a yard off the pace or not bothered one of the two.
Thought we saw best and worse of Cebelos, good on the ball, awful trying to tackle back.
On that performance we need a first team keeper, the kid did ok but that won't be enough if we are in with a realistic chance of top 6.
On the positive side Barnes looked good as did some of the other youngsters.
On the negative side second half defending was awful and looked disorganised.
Be interested to see what the manager sees as his best team.
Think the third come from the right winger who seemed to have plenty of space. I'd be looking where my left back was before blaming Sarr
Agreed, JJ was nowhere to be seen. On first look it seemed Sarr might have been able to get across to cover quicker, but it was really, really hard to tell with the camera angle. If that had been, say, Pearce I don't think he'd be getting the stick Sarr is getting.
In your defence, I would be surprised if Robinson is keen to keep him. But surely a guy who has played in the Champions League has the ability to play in League 1.
Well Mowgli, our resident Football Manager scout certainly thought so!
Also, there have been dozens of teams with squads full of sub League 1 standard players to qualify for the Champions League by default, due to the standard of domestic competition.
ok go on then, tell me the dozens of teams who have qualified for the Champions League group stages who couldn't cut it in League 1?
To be honest I don't really feel the need to justify my argument anymore than I already have. You needn't look far though if you fancied doing a bit of research - I never mentioned the latter stages of the competition either.
And you'll noticed I haven't had a pop at you for digging out KAG - a promising 19 year old academy graduate who is also one of our own. I thought he played very well. A positive and hard working performance.
Comments
My point is that even early season cup games can be deceptive, so really do not stress about a pre-season friendly. Having said that, still thought Watt, Bauer and KAG were poor.
Barnes showing signs of a decent FB (slightly out of best position) and Ceballos have been the big pluses for me so far.
To be fair, my mind has already been made up on Sarr. Even before tonights game I thought he was useless. I thought he panicked under pressure and completely lost the man for their third/ was nowhere to be seen/out of position.
As Bauer was mentioned; he didn't play well, but I have seen him play well, therefore he is not shit. IMO.
Having to play different teams in each half, and with a few players rested for minor injuries, will always stretch the squad depth and team understanding, but if there are weaknesses, it's good to have them revealed now.
Lots of players got game time and that's what matters at this point.
However if he started turning in performances to the standard of the all-time greatest defender in the world, then I am sure I could change my mind.
I know early pre-season matches are not much more than a training exercise.
Bit I'm still a little surprised that we've got matches on successive days - it's quite a big ask of players with recovery time etc, at this stage of their fitness, especially against a fit team already in their own mid-season.
In your defence, I would be surprised if Robinson is keen to keep him. But surely a guy who has played in the Champions League has the ability to play in League 1.
6 foot 5 left footed centre backs, with his athleticism, are hard to come by, and when initially coming here and playing for us he had the pressure of being in a new country, with a hefty price tag on his head, playing in a disjointed defence with multiple defensive partners. Then someone came up with a song about him and KM and suddenly he's the go-to guy for regime flops.
He looked better than Bauer tonight, shall we write him off now?
There's a reason Sarr has only played 12 games for us - because he is pants!
You go ahead and start your Naby Sarr fan club. I'm sure there will be plenty of you.
Well Mowgli, our resident Football Manager scout certainly thought so!
Also, there have been dozens of teams with squads full of sub League 1 standard players to qualify for the Champions League by default, due to the standard of domestic competition.
Good run out. Looked to tire as the game went on. This looks like a team with a lot of talented players. Think about this team versus the friendlies last year. Those were probably against stronger opposition, but we were awful and looked absolutely lost. We seem to have a shape and some patterns of play this summer.
Phillips: Could do nothing about either goal. Both were absolute mustard. As has been pointed out, his poor kick lead to the free kick where they scored, and he looked out of position on a couple occasions (including the one where Bauer was turned). We need another goalkeeper to put pressure on him. I'm hoping Martin signs by Welling.
Charles-Cook: One of our best players. Looks to have grown and filled out a bit. Solid in the first half. Looked very tidy in the second. Good technically, strong on the ball, and has a nice turn of pace. Kept playing the ball into feet and looking to play 1-2s. Not bringing him to Ireland (at least I don't think he was there) looks a very odd decision. Every time I see him he looks to have all the tools.
Konsa: Assured. Good on the ball. Did everything asked of him.
Pearce: Looked a threat in their penalty box. May or may not have scored. Did everything asked of him.
Barnes: He looks very tidy indeed. Big, strong, and quick. Very good on the ball. Looked dangerous going forward and his 1-v-1 defending was largely very good. On the occasion he got nutmegged he recovered to put pressure on the ball. Right now I would hold off on signing another right back and give him a chance to step in if something happens to Solly.
Crofts: Had some heavy touches and wayward passes. Game seemed to pass him by a bit. I'm still not 100% convinced by him. He was a tenacious player who liked to put himself about, but his legs have gone, and I'm just not convinced he has the technique or positional sense to play in that holding role. Good squad player, but hoping the likes of Kashi, JFC, Aribo, and perhaps others are ahead of him this year.
Aribo: Again looked very tidy. Pressed well, won the ball back, danger from set pieces. He may not quite have the positional discipline to play in one of the 2 deeper midfield positions yet, but he has all the tools. Think this could be a real breakout year for him.
Stewart: Couple good set piece deliveries, had a really good cross from deep for Magennis to head over. Had a couple of bad set pieces and crosses straight into touch. Looked to be trying to hard. Has been out of the game for a year and looks rusty. We all know what he's capable of. Hope he's given a chance to play himself into some form.
Watt: Worked harder than usual again, but nothing came off for him. Thought he took up some good positions, but the worry with him is that he isn't a lone forward, and isn't a good enough passer for the #10 role. At least he still looks interested, and maybe can play himself into form.
KAG: Didn't quite come off for him today. Worked hard, and tried too hard at times. Looked to run at the defense. Keep playing him, it feels like he may play himself into form, especially if he gets a goal or two.
Magennis: Scored one and could have had another but for a good save. Looked very good given this is his fourth day of pre-season. Think he'll get 20 goals this year.
2nd half:
AMB: Didn't have much to do. Had a couple nervous touches. Not much he could do for the goal.
Tex: Played at a walking pace but he's 1) not a right back and 2) is a good enough footballer to get away with it. Doubt he'll be here at the end of August. I kind of hope we loan him out this year so that he could potentially come back next year if we're in the Championship. I think he could be a very good defender at that level, but League One isn't quite right for him.
Sarr: Didn't have much to do, didn't do much wrong. On first look it seemed he could have closed down better for the 3rd goal, but the camera angle was so far away it's hard to know, and on the replay at the end it looked like there wasn't much he could do.
Bauer: Got turned a couple times. That's always a risk with him. Not the end of the world though, hope that at least one of him or Tex are with us this season.
JJ: Got up and back and provided an outlet.
Ceballos: Well, well, well. Was absolutely runnin tings at times in the second half. Great range of passing. Should have scored on the pullback to the penalty spot. Nearly scored from 20 yards with a right footed shot. He has all the tools, and I think he should be seriously considered to be a part of the team this year.
Dijksteel: Made a couple of early mistakes, but grew into the game, always showed for the ball, and looked stronger on it as the game went on. Expect he'll have better days. Always nice to see a Dutchman wearing 14.
Marshall: Didn't really get a chance to show what he can do given the game was condensed in the second half.
Clarke: I suspect he's going to split opinions this year. Finds his way into pockets of space nicely, looks to turn and run at the defense. He's certainly tidy, but question will be "is there an end product there?"
Henry: He's a traitor, and I've always said this.
Donald Trump Jr.: Who tweets out potentially self-incriminating evidence?! Letting the side down. Still above Tiffany in Trump's "Favorite Children" list, and that is unlikely to change.
Second half was alot different. Without Josh up front there wasn't much to aim at. Kag played well as a winger first half though his final pass or shot needs alot of improvement, second half as striker he was too similar to ajose. Isolated and little threat.
New boys marshal and Clarke for me did little. Very rarely getting into a decent position or getting a cross over.
Cellabos was the man of that half. Plenty of cross field passing and trying to link up with others on quick 1 2s.
Bauer looked good at heading the ball away but got caught out when the ball did get behind him.
Still its the second match of pre season so as others have said probably best I and others don't look too much into this. You never know, we could get much worse.
And you'll noticed I haven't had a pop at you for digging out KAG - a promising 19 year old academy graduate who is also one of our own. I thought he played very well. A positive and hard working performance.
You're entitled to your opinion