Agree re last season, however this system goes a step further, we were beating them when they weren’t pressing. That’s something we struggled with all of last season. This system doesn’t rely on teams pressing us to get going.
We broke the lines loads of times, the youngsters just didn’t, much to Tim’s dismay, make the next pass to get us going.
Did we? They broke through ours, but we just pushed theirs back. There was the Slater one he didn't play advantage and maybe 1 other. Max. Obviously they were 4 up and they didn't need to have ambition, but even so...
Loads of times we had the ball in the middle third breaking pressure from the forward press but we’d either lose the ball from Vaughan being outmuscled or Sandat miscontrolling it or they’d just start the process again. Definitely killed us having the left footer of Furlong right back too.
That's a bit of a joke though when we've had the full pre-season. Tim could be under an awful lot of pressure by that point. It's a complex style to learn and not something that can be done overnight. He needs 4/5 decent players in before Bristol City so he's got a fighting chance. With these pre season games, he could be starting the season under pressure from the fans. We desperately need a left sided centre half, a holding midfielder, a box to box midfielder and at least one winger to make it competitive. There's no time for patience, they've had months to prep this.
Baz said in the latest Podcast that he expects 2 or 3 loans to come in mid August, can't remember the exact phrase but it sounded like they're pretty much sorted.
Acun keeps talking about Premier League, of course Tim will be under pressure. Right now I am not even sure current team can stay up, after transfers may be. But then it will be October already until we see full squad, finally learning to play together. It has to be massive run afterwards to reach playoffs. People forget that we had a very good start last season, 7th or 8th week was our top position at 4th place, that kept us in the race during mid-year struggles.
If we get spanked by Newcastle & Fiorentina, he'll be under pressure and any optimism built from last season will have evaporated. And let's be honest, both those sides are a step up from Fenerbahce. I'd love to know what the dressing room is feeling.
2/3 in before Bristol and I think we can compete with them. The football played by the senior players was alright I thought and showed glimpses.
“Two, possibly three” he said with regards to signings prior to the Bristol City game. “They are waiting on two or three loan players that are going to wait, that isn’t going to happen till mid to late August.”
Good to see despite the obsession some with me as if I'm the only one expressing concerns that I'm not actually one out in being concerned about the pace of signings. Even Mr Walter is coming aboard..
First game I saw Rocky play for us was away at Oxford (I think) and he was absolutely class. Saw Ormondroyd play for us at Twerton Park, as Bristol Rovers were playing there at the time. Ormondroyd scored a header which from where we were stood it looked like it came off the back of the lanky feckers head. Someone started a chant of give us an I give us an A can't remember if we got all the way through his name there were only about 20-30 of us there for a midweek game.
I think that’s a harsh comment on that starting XI. Of course, without the back up, I’d agree. But there’s still time to replace a few of those before the first game and I’d say at least 7/8 are good enough at this level. Let’s see what we have for the Bristol game. I’m still not panicking. Oh and you forgot Drameh.
I hope this is more likely the case. But again we do need more in. We’ve allowed the squad to be as it is but it’s getting silly now. Get whatever money we have available and pull together a squad
We’ll have a number of players joining that maybe haven’t had a pre season. Haven’t trained to Walter’s methods or standards. With the numbers talked about before Bristol, we’ll still be woefully under resourced.
Yet the same people who told us to stop bedwetting will wonder why we have a pile of injuries come November
And if we don't have a pile of injuries come November absolutely nobody is going to hold their hands up and say - 'Alright, I maybe overreacted back in the summer'. Absolutely pointless getting wound up about hypotheticals at this point. Everyone is aware we need players in, and the sooner the better, but this whole time we've all been aware that they'll take the necessary time to bring the right players in. This is better than rushing out and getting anyone in. If we bring in players who are currently having a pre season elsewhere then the potential injuries issue is redundant. Getting up to speed with the tactics is the only legitimate concern in those instances, and that's a valid criticism - but bear in mind some of them could also pick it up quickly as well. Until we actually see negative effects on the field, and I mean once the season has started and then when the window has closed, it would be prudent to withhold judgement.
