I guess a fair few of us watched the YouTube streams over the last couple of nights. With the caveat that its still very early in the season im interested to hear what others thought - consider performance, and the system we are playing....do you feel confident we have the right players for how KR wants to play. One thing is certain we need a first choice keeper ASAP.
Aribo - Potential to be a great player
Barnes - Very good so far - versatile
Ceballos - Positive contribution, looks good on the ball although possibly too lightweight in the middle and not dynamic enough for the wing
Clarke - Reminiscent of Bradley Allen...don't want to be negative but am not certain he is number 10 ability, or a 15 goal a year striker
We really need a forward with decent movement and natural goal scoring prowess....
Verdict -
Definitely need 3-4 first team players who improve the team.
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Comments
Fosu - looked v.promising in the first game
KAG - doesn't look like he can cross when out wide but looked the best I have seen him in other areas of the pitch (and is definitely developing well).
Did he ever put out his first team? I would say not, so again not worth judging the team at this stage.
Psychologically we looked fragile last year and the results I cant imagine will have helped that, I think the fans optimism with Holmes signing and no-one leaving may well evaporate quickly if performances continue in the same vain.
set piece headers we look threatening but a lot of our forwards cant seem to shoot with any pace or placement
Tarieq Fosu: Shame he got a knock against Crumlin as would have been good to see what he could have done against the fitter opposition of Limerick and UCD... Difficult to make a proper assessment against a Welling type team.
Billy Clarke: I've struggled to notice him at points but his finishing hasn't been great
Mark Marshall: The jury is still out for me at the moment, probably doesnt help the fact he's the anti-Fosu in the fact that he didnt play against Crumlin and only against the fitter opposition.
Cristian Ceballos: He's been everywhere and could be an excellent option in the No.10 role this season, I cant imagine him staying out wide as he almost seems best just being allowed to drift into any empty space across the whole pitch.
Of the current players no one has overly impressed me, Tony Watt had a better game against UCD last night (over his performance against Limerick) whilst Josh Magennis has made a good start especially with the lack of training.
Before they went to Ireland it was clear we needed 3 or 4 first team players, that hasn't changed.
Hopefully just means the deals are pushed through quicker.....
+Ceballos, Barnes, RCC , Aribo(partly not last night)
We have looked good passing the ball but lacking in the final third, feels like we are trying to walk the ball in the net so hopefully that isn't too much of a sign for the season.
I think we need to test out other formations to so we don't become predictable and would like Ajose to have a fair chance in pre-seasons to play with 2 up top as he won't suit the current system.
All in all, its pre-season no injuries and once the match fitness is there it will be totally different game. I like we will be passing and pressing, however i am worried we would be exposed to the counter and still worry about scoring goals. Magdennis might get 15 goals a year, but feel we need a proper back up.
Squad is getting there and probably alot better than anticipated in this regime, at present i predict we could be around the play offs, not based on pre-season but the squad in general.
Not bothered about the scorelines, meaningless at this stage. Still very confident that we can avoid relegation next season.
IF Robinson insists on playing one up front with two wide men and a 'number 10', I can't see the current personnel coming close to scoring the number of goals required to maintain a promotion effort, even though Marshall and Holmes will create a lot of chances (we hope)..
BUT, It is still early days and we will have to wait and see what happens during the much more difficult friendlies we have lined up against the East Anglians when I hope a coherent pattern of play and consistent selection will become clearer
That said, I thought after the Bromley pre-season game (last season) we looked well off being promotion contenders and yesterday felt the same. Hoping to be proved wrong.
It's obvious that we need a first choice goalie and a left back urgently.
Right back could be covered by Tex/Konsa/Barnes, if they are still at the club.
We still need an attacking goalscoring centre mid/no 10.
I'm a little concerned that the players won't adapt to the system KR wants to play, because at the moment we seem too wide open on the break.
The games reminded me of our League 1 games at Selhurst Park. We used to have all the play and get done on the break time after time.
I think we should challenge the top 6, but I'd like us to be challenging for the automatics.