Match Day Thread The Official Match Day Thread - Sporting KC v Newcastle

You guys didn't miss much. Both teams look disjointed most of the time. NUFC because it was their first preseason game, and SKC because they decided to play a few new guys (the heat didn't help). There wasn't much chemistry from either side. I would have to say SKC had more offensive chances in the first half, while the second half seemed more even after everyone settled down. All in all, I felt SKC came closer to winning the game, but choked on the few open chances they got. NUFC had a great chance in the 2nd half to score from about 10-yards out but our keeper swallowed it up. I apologize for not knowing who had the shot, but NUFC didn't have names on the back of their jerseys so it was harder to follow who was doing what. The tackle on Arfa was a foul, but it didn't seem ridiculous. Most of us thought Arfa was milking it until the stretcher came on. I would like to see that play again. It was difficult to really asses the foul from my angle. Espinoza is known for hard challenges. Sometimes his tackles are brilliant, but when he's late, they can be brutal. He is no stranger to the red card. I think your squad got a great first taste of playing at full speed, and they will probably come out and be much more physical against Columbus. When it's a friendly like this, It's always dangerous when one side is at mid-season speed, and the other is at preseason speed (the Arfa foul was a good example).

If I had to rate your biggest need for improvement (purely after watching just this match), it would be control in the midfield. I felt like SKC controlled the MF most of the match. And our passing wasn't that great. We just beat a lot of your players to the ball. Your defense was okay except on crosses. i would say they need to work on marking in front of goal. We had more than enough chances on crosses that we either over hit, or shot wide of the goal. Obviously, both of these issues are probably a conditioning thing. Like I said, I''m just saying what I observed tonight.

I know this is a really crappy report, but I'm tired and beaten down by the heat. After a few hours of sleep, I'll get back on a report anything I'm forgetting.

 

Not crappy at all Jarnevic and much appreciated.

If we'd had Barton and Cabaye playing our midfield would have been a lot more impressive, pity they hadn't been allowed to travel, you'd have seen a much better game. Of course it would have also meant your team getting beat, so I suppose you're reasonably happy that things turned out the way they did.

Maybe you'll catch them on the box in another game and see us at near our best.

 

Will there be another match thread for the first team's game in Holland later?

 

I've no doubt something will be done on the same lines Smudger.

 

We might as well - Barton, Cabaye, Ranger, Williamson, Perch, Xisco, Routledge, Sameobi all playing.

 

Not sure that Williamson is off the sick list yet.

 

Do you want me to make one for that game too?

p.s. I'm still waiting for NUFCtv to upload these match highlights.

 

Looks like we're playing the Dutch mackems tonight:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HVV_Hollandia

 

Sure Son of a pitch, last night's went down well, more of the same would do too.

 

At least tonights game is at a reasonable hour

 

Who we playing like.

 

Don't think the reserves will get the same kind of coverage though.

 

Thu 21.07.2011 HVV Hollandia (a) 7pm

An amateur side who play at the 2,500 capacity Juliana Sport Park in the town of Hoorn, roughly thirty minutes by train from Amsterdam and to the north of the city.

 

[video=youtube;bRTXBppiAko]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRTXBppiAko[/video]

Highlights of the game.

 

HVV Hollandia

 

Res v HVV Hollandia (a) @ Juliana Sport Park Hoorn, 7pm. Friendly.

 

Cheers VAGA, looks a decent workout at least.

 

Cheers mate, think I'll just get the result at full time again.

 

Shattered after being up keeping track of last nights game, I'll be giving this one a miss too.

 

Cheers!