I find it hard to care about preseason results, and a Championship team losing to a La Liga team isn't concerning at all. But the manner of the performance does concern me a bit. Look totally devoid of ideas in the final third. A load of people who want to finish a move but nobody to knit it together, to pick the pass, to commit. On the one occasion we actually gave our new striker a decent look to work with, he buried it and scored
I was about to post about the lack of creativity in the team, with only Robinson and Edozie (against Eastleigh) looking capable of creating anything and then Robinson pops up with a great ball. Good movement and finish by DD as well.
The commentary was funny. The Spanish were so excited every time they got the ball. When we scored it sounded like they were yawning.
Based purely on pre season and any credit players have in the bank. My sarting 11 for Wrexham would be: Ramsdale (if around)/Baz Sugawara (I feel we need to be able to attack from there for things to click) Edwards Quarshie Manning Charles Downes Fernandes Robinson (has looked sharp and hungry every game) Stewart/Downs (look better with a focal point and not impressed with BBD) Dibbling (Armstrong hasn't offered anything. Archer only in spells) Archer, Armstrong, one of the strikers, Fraser etc make for strong bench options.
We had no pace in attack with BBD and Armstrong. Espanyol were getting in behind but we just didn’t have the speed to do that. I think pretty early in the season, our younger players will start taking these positions away from the seniors.
We still got nowhere playing out from the back. Nothing from midfield into the strikers, until Robinson played in Downs who buried it.
I think Robinson needs to start against Wrexham. I've not seen any of preseason because meh, but he sounds so bright and positive and seems to offer more than the others.
I find Stephens a bit frustrating. I find the 3 year contract mystifying. I suppose get all of his mistakes and sloppy play out in the friendlies, like some of the others? I hope things improve....all the fans deserve to be happy going to games and to expect at least a chance of winning or scoring - frankly it's not fair on them.
Said this after the last game. It's fine to pass it off as "only pre-season", but at some point you expect to see something other than dross. I'm really hoping the additional of Downs and return of Downes, Dibling (or replacement) and THB leads to an improvement. If it doesn't, I am more than a little worried for the start of the season.
Didn't watch but why would we be surprised. It is in the main the same players as last season who could hardly create an attacking threat
Yeah, Robinson is one of the few that come out of that trip with much credit. Given he had less minutes than the likes of BBD, Fraser, Archer and Arma, yet looked better than all of them, surely he has to start?
WS interview on the club website Reflections on the game... My reflections are that it showed exactly where we still need to improve. It shows why we still need to strengthen, as well. But there are positives: Damion came on and got his first goal, the first bunch of players have got 90 minutes in their legs, which is what we wanted. We've again finished off a big week of work and intensity in training to get to where we want to get to. We don't need to be ready right now - and we knew we weren't going to be - like I said at the start, that just shows where and what we still need to do things. The two goals conceded... I think the first one's unlucky and then lacks a bit of communication and decision-making. The second one is ridiculous. I can't understand how that is a penalty. But you're in Spain and with a Spanish referee. Hopefully in the Championship that won't be a penalty because there's nothing there. But we can improve on the first one, 100 per cent. We should communicate. I'm not looking for excuses but when you change the back line, that's always something that you're liable to then happening. I think it was a fair reflection of where we're at. Damion Downs... It was a great finish and a great move. But we could only play him for 20 minutes, so that's what we did. We pushed him a little bit further but we know he's got quality, that's why he's here. We want to surround him with a bit more quality and a bit more personality. I think that's what showed today. The week as a whole... All defeats are annoying, especially in the manner of the goals. But it's not important right now, the main objective is to be ready when we need to be ready - and to keep working on the things that we need to work on. As a whole, the week has been really positive. We've had time with the players, we've had time on the pitch and time altogether. That's what we need to focus on. Playing at St. Mary's next weekend... Buzzing. We've got a good week back at home, preparing and getting ready for the Championship to start in the week after. Obviously, playing in front of our fans for the first time is one that we will look forward to and it will be good.
