What you want me to say JLA? My opinion is we have had a good build up. The lads all got together for a week in the South West, the games and sessions were focused on fitness with the games building from the lowest level of opposition to higher and higher, all players have been involved barring Austin so far, the trialists have all earned themselves a contract, we have brought in 9 players, and we are now having a very competitive game against Sandefjord, a top Norwegian team that is in the middle of their season, thus giving the guys a good work out. Other benefits include the advancement of some of the kids, there is a friendly v Preston to come at which we are likely to see Austin So it's all been about building things up and getting the players game time and improving fitness. The one thing we all have to remember is that we have brought in 9 new players. They will take a good couple of months minimum to gel, so a plea to the fans to give them that space.
I wanted you to explain your opinion, which I thought you did quite well. Some may be of the opinion that the opposition was not quite strern enough. Good to start with some soft opposition but has it been elevated significantly enough since then to provide the appropriate readiness challenge?
I know what you mean, but we usually have low level opposition - usually including Scottish teams and Rochdale/Halifax etc - and culminating with a Prem team at home. But the late kick off and the Carling Cup game have beggared that up. But I look at previous pre-seasons and it never seems to matter whether you have a good or bad string of results as to how you start the season. What I do remember is the speed and stamina of Southampton in the first game last year. Are our lot up to speed stamina and fitness-wise, and will we hit the ground running on that first day? I certainly hope so, cos last year we were way off the pace
We seemed to be over run the second half by a team in the middle of there season so I'm sure this trip to Norway is to get conditioning up to the max
Nick Rubery Jermaine Beckfords agent has confirmed there is no bid from Leeds and that Beckford hasnt been told he has no future
I think we needed today's game more than any other, I agree with JLA the opposition so far has been diabolical and I don't see how playing a bunch of part timers for 45 minutes builds any kind of stamina or match fitness.
On a hot evening on a **** pitch, against players that are really up for playing Leeds United, yeh no fitness tests there at all......
Nigel Pearson has just said Jermaine Beckford has a very important role to play with us as part of the squad
You obviously disagree, personally I can't see much fitness being gained playing for 45 minutes against non league players and teams like Farsley plying their trade in tier 8 of the English football league system Maybe have one game like this but seriously, we need to be upping the pace and quality of the opposition as kick off approaches.
Peltier is a decent player in my opinion...who would you prefer for that price? I do feel for nw - (odd saying that) - he is currently trying to put together a team on a shoestring - what's the latest on the takeover? Seems like its been going on forever - must be horribly frustrating for you guys...
As for beckford - motivated by money - think you could do better...let him stutter along in mid table with Leicester...
One of the scandanavian LUFC fans at the game yesterday, writes for a fanzine and got an interview with warnock and was told we're not in for JB. Lets put that one to bed now
Keep McCormack, play Becchio and have Somma, Gray, Rogers and Varney as back up. McCormack MUST STAY, he is our best player by miles. Concentrate in brining in a couple of quality midfield playmakers and a left back & centre back.
