I'll almost certainly watch it back at some point. And yes, I am single.
I'll try to keep this shorter than usual (note from after the fact: this did no happen). Thought we did alright. I think games against big, physical teams who look to play direct and have rubbish pitches will be where we struggle this year. In that regard it was a good performance where we didn't really get out of third gear.
Quick note I missed a few minutes toward the end due to some ChromeCast problems (not VP's fault).
Phillips: Good, didn't have much to do. Solid on the ball and played a couple good passes on a bad pitch. Made one good save. Barnes: Positionally suspect at times, and sometimes gives the ball away a bit cheaply, but other than that very good. Gets forward well, and has the pace to recover/cover for others when defending. Charles-Cook: Every time I see him I think he should be at least involved with the first team regularly. Today was no different. Did a very good job at right back. Looks like he's gotten stronger. Made some very good tackles. Tidy on the ball. Has a good turn of pace, and played a lovely cross where KAG committed a foul in the box. He's not flashy but he does all the basics right. Sarr: Brilliant range of passing. Looked good on the ball. Had a couple ropey moments defensively but largely looked good. I think he's worth another couple run outs before his fate is decided. Konsa: Nothing new, he looks assured when defending and very, very good on the ball. Broke forward a couple times. JJ: Not a left back. Hope he's okay. Crofts: Thought the game completely passed him by in the first half, and at times he looked like he was running in treacle. Second half was completely different, and he basically ran things, retained possession and broke up play. He remains enigmatic to me. JFC: Didn't get on the ball as much as he probably would have liked but whenever he did he looked good. Made a lot of good runs forward. If he hits anywhere near his potential he's going to have a breakout year. Marshall: At times tried to do too much, and at times it came off. He's quick and strong. Not a world beater, but will be very useful at our level. Clarke: It's the same thing from him every time. Tidy. Good movement. Finds space. Plays one and two touch football. But for that #10 role, is that enough? KAG: To his credit he worked very hard and tracked back well. I've never been fully convinced by him but he's shown more skill in this pre-season than I thought he had. The problems remain the same, end product and decision making. Still think that if he gets a goal or two he might explode onto the scene. Magennis: He's not the most technically gifted footballer, but he's certainly decent, and he must be a nightmare to defend against. Great ball for the cross. Made some good runs. Looked a little isolated at times, which is why that #10 role and the wingers are going to be so important. Good runout for him. Aribo: Did really well. Broke up play and that assist for the goal was excellent work. Stewart: Didn't notice him much. I still think the natural width and crossing ability he provides on the right hand side could be a real asset. Dijksteel: Was having technical problems around the time he came on but saw him make two very good, strong challenges. Another of the yoot who should be there or thereabouts. RHF: I don't think it's too early to start comparing him to a mixture of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Theiry Henry.
Whether it's because he his terrified of getting it wrong I don't know, or maybe it comes with familiarity, but Sarr took ages over his decision making I thought. The good news is that he played it simply, mostly short, sometimes long, but he needs to be totally in the moment for 100 minutes each game. Clarke would make me feel better if he were back up, and JFC too, at their best Aribo and Kashi would be my first picks. Robinson wants two players of virtually equal quality for each position, maybe somebody wants to try listing those pairings, in my view we are not ready yet in terms of the squad. I found last night a bit 'meh'.
I guess pre season is always a bit meh for me, but if Sarr is staring to show he has earnt his way to being a major part of the squad, he should be given the chance. Sadly, my worry would be the 'Fox hater' types we get who might get on his back in the warm up, and inevitably bring his confidence back down to zero just when we might be about to reap the reward in bringing him in. It's hard to judge anything on the opponents so far, and it may yet prove Sarr is looking good because the rest are so average, but until then, he deserves recognition for what he is doing.
Whether it's because he his terrified of getting it wrong I don't know, or maybe it comes with familiarity, but Sarr took ages over his decision making I thought. The good news is that he played it simply, mostly short, sometimes long, but he needs to be totally in the moment for 100 minutes each game. Clarke would make me feel better if he were back up, and JFC too, at their best Aribo and Kashi would be my first picks. Robinson wants two players of virtually equal quality for each position, maybe somebody wants to try listing those pairings, in my view we are not ready yet in terms of the squad. I found last night a bit 'meh'.
It never felt like Sarr didn't have the time to make a choice or the ability to make the pass. He also tidily turned the striker inside out a couple of times.
Crofts played more balls out from the back that were wasted passes than Sarr did.
Enjoyed first half --second was just a parade of subs--Grant looks like he has bulked out and thought he did well.Sarr was ok .nice ground.good club house ,shit beer.
Could Reeco Hackett - Fairchild be the striker we have been missing!? Needs to play more minutes v Norwich and Ipswich! Charles Cook looked decent too! Impressed by last season under 23's lads
Enjoyed first half --second was just a parade of subs--Grant looks like he has bulked out and thought he did well.Sarr was ok .nice ground.good club house ,shit beer.
Bloody hell is that Chris Solly on the Left... He's got even shorter!!
Dillon looked sharp, comfortable on the ball and he was always looking to distribute quickly. I wonder if he put too much pressure on himself in Ireland. Much better Barnes showed his versatility by playing full back on both sides. No frills but very solid though got caught out a couple of times, brought his man down and would have got a yellow at least Jacko got roasted a couple of times and his injury looked like his ribs are busted Naby was really good. They looked to get him on the ball a lot (his passing was decent, accurate and fizzed in). Couple of great long range passes too and a fair few blocks and tackles. Impressive. Ezri was Ezri. So calm and assured on the ball. He's definitely a CB not a DM
Crofts was his usual self really. Some decent blocks and tackles but passing wasn't good. JFC Quiet but got his goal. decent run out Marshall is a like a pitbull. Small and aggressive and hard to get the ball off him. Not firing on all cylinders yet but he's shaping up well. Love how 2 footed he is. KAG just needs to work on decision making and we'll have a really good player there. He's impressed me a lot in pre season McGennis doesn't look quite fit yet and his touch isn't there yet.
Aribo was all-action when he came on Reeco didn't do a lot except score
Dillon looked sharp, comfortable on the ball and he was always looking to distribute quickly. I wonder if he put too much pressure on himself in Ireland. Much better Barnes showed his versatility by playing full back on both sides. No frills but very solid though got caught out a couple of times, brought his man down and would have got a yellow at least Jacko got roasted a couple of times and his injury looked like his ribs are busted Naby was really good. They looked to get him on the ball a lot (his passing was decent, accurate and fizzed in). Couple of great long range passes too and a fair few blocks and tackles. Impressive. Ezri was Ezri. So calm and assured on the ball. He's definitely a CB not a DM
Crofts was his usual self really. Some decent blocks and tackles but passing wasn't good. JFC Quiet but got his goal. decent run out Marshall is a like a pitbull. Small and aggressive and hard to get the ball off him. Not firing on all cylinders yet but he's shaping up well. Love how 2 footed he is. KAG just needs to work on decision making and we'll have a really good player there. He's impressed me a lot in pre season McGennis doesn't look quite fit yet and his touch isn't there yet.
Aribo was all-action when he came on Reeco didn't do a lot except score
Good run out against a young and speedy team
I thought JFC done well with his link up play and was always looking to make the run from midfield into space, was calm and measured passing and was box to box
Barnes & Charles-Cook had good games and didn't look out of place.
Ahearne-Grant has bulked up, but runs into trouble because he is so right footed & is played on the left.
Sarr played well and was always decent at passing the ball when unchallenged. The test for him is when he is put under pressure and players run at him. This is when his decision making, composure and his balance have been found wanting. No one really ran at him last night.
We played some nice passing football in the first half, but we still seem to lack a threat.
However, these are friendly games, so we are of course not really pushing ourselves too hard.
Comments
I'll try to keep this shorter than usual (note from after the fact: this did no happen). Thought we did alright. I think games against big, physical teams who look to play direct and have rubbish pitches will be where we struggle this year. In that regard it was a good performance where we didn't really get out of third gear.
Quick note I missed a few minutes toward the end due to some ChromeCast problems (not VP's fault).
Phillips: Good, didn't have much to do. Solid on the ball and played a couple good passes on a bad pitch. Made one good save.
Barnes: Positionally suspect at times, and sometimes gives the ball away a bit cheaply, but other than that very good. Gets forward well, and has the pace to recover/cover for others when defending.
Charles-Cook: Every time I see him I think he should be at least involved with the first team regularly. Today was no different. Did a very good job at right back. Looks like he's gotten stronger. Made some very good tackles. Tidy on the ball. Has a good turn of pace, and played a lovely cross where KAG committed a foul in the box. He's not flashy but he does all the basics right.
Sarr: Brilliant range of passing. Looked good on the ball. Had a couple ropey moments defensively but largely looked good. I think he's worth another couple run outs before his fate is decided.
Konsa: Nothing new, he looks assured when defending and very, very good on the ball. Broke forward a couple times.
JJ: Not a left back. Hope he's okay.
Crofts: Thought the game completely passed him by in the first half, and at times he looked like he was running in treacle. Second half was completely different, and he basically ran things, retained possession and broke up play. He remains enigmatic to me.
JFC: Didn't get on the ball as much as he probably would have liked but whenever he did he looked good. Made a lot of good runs forward. If he hits anywhere near his potential he's going to have a breakout year.
Marshall: At times tried to do too much, and at times it came off. He's quick and strong. Not a world beater, but will be very useful at our level.
Clarke: It's the same thing from him every time. Tidy. Good movement. Finds space. Plays one and two touch football. But for that #10 role, is that enough?
KAG: To his credit he worked very hard and tracked back well. I've never been fully convinced by him but he's shown more skill in this pre-season than I thought he had. The problems remain the same, end product and decision making. Still think that if he gets a goal or two he might explode onto the scene.
Magennis: He's not the most technically gifted footballer, but he's certainly decent, and he must be a nightmare to defend against. Great ball for the cross. Made some good runs. Looked a little isolated at times, which is why that #10 role and the wingers are going to be so important. Good runout for him.
Aribo: Did really well. Broke up play and that assist for the goal was excellent work.
Stewart: Didn't notice him much. I still think the natural width and crossing ability he provides on the right hand side could be a real asset.
Dijksteel: Was having technical problems around the time he came on but saw him make two very good, strong challenges. Another of the yoot who should be there or thereabouts.
RHF: I don't think it's too early to start comparing him to a mixture of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Theiry Henry.
KAG looks to have improved. If his decision making improves he'll be very decent indeed. Impressed this pre season
Decent run out I thought against a strong and quick team.
Interested in your feedback
We played tidy football but almost build up to a speed we can't yet maintain.
A good game to display that we need an out and out striker.
Slightly OTT there I think SDAddick.
More Darren Bent IMHO
The Sarr haters must be struggling to find something to complain about.
How composed is Konsa?
All the YOUNG full backs looked good.
KAG needs to seriously improve his decision making, but looked a real threat.
Those criticising Crofts obviously didn't watch the game.
Clarke would make me feel better if he were back up, and JFC too, at their best Aribo and Kashi would be my first picks.
Robinson wants two players of virtually equal quality for each position, maybe somebody wants to try listing those pairings, in my view we are not ready yet in terms of the squad.
I found last night a bit 'meh'.
It's hard to judge anything on the opponents so far, and it may yet prove Sarr is looking good because the rest are so average, but until then, he deserves recognition for what he is doing.
Crofts played more balls out from the back that were wasted passes than Sarr did.
DaSilva to be confirmed before the weekend.
Barnes showed his versatility by playing full back on both sides. No frills but very solid though got caught out a couple of times, brought his man down and would have got a yellow at least
Jacko got roasted a couple of times and his injury looked like his ribs are busted
Naby was really good. They looked to get him on the ball a lot (his passing was decent, accurate and fizzed in). Couple of great long range passes too and a fair few blocks and tackles. Impressive.
Ezri was Ezri. So calm and assured on the ball. He's definitely a CB not a DM
Crofts was his usual self really. Some decent blocks and tackles but passing wasn't good.
JFC Quiet but got his goal. decent run out
Marshall is a like a pitbull. Small and aggressive and hard to get the ball off him. Not firing on all cylinders yet but he's shaping up well. Love how 2 footed he is.
KAG just needs to work on decision making and we'll have a really good player there. He's impressed me a lot in pre season
McGennis doesn't look quite fit yet and his touch isn't there yet.
Aribo was all-action when he came on
Reeco didn't do a lot except score
Good run out against a young and speedy team
I thought JFC done well with his link up play and was always looking to make the run from midfield into space, was calm and measured passing and was box to box
Barnes & Charles-Cook had good games and didn't look out of place.
Ahearne-Grant has bulked up, but runs into trouble because he is so right footed & is played on the left.
Sarr played well and was always decent at passing the ball when unchallenged. The test for him is when he is put under pressure and players run at him. This is when his decision making, composure and his balance have been found wanting.
No one really ran at him last night.
We played some nice passing football in the first half, but we still seem to lack a threat.
However, these are friendly games, so we are of course not really pushing ourselves too hard.
That's alright then. Promotion virtually guaranteed.