Rovers take on Derby County at the Mem Tonight Rovers play their first home pre season friendly when they take on Derby County at the Memorial Stadium (kick off 7.45pm). Terrace prices are £10.00 for Adults and £5.00 Concessions and seating is £14.00 Adults and £7.00 Concessions. The side will be wearing the new home strip for the first time, two days ahead of our Fun Day on Sunday, when supporters will be able to purchase them for the first time. Our second, and final, home pre season friendly match, against Reading, takes place on Sunday 28th July (kick off 3.00pm) and admission prices will be the same as those for the game against Derby County. For that game, Rovers will be wearing their new away strip for the first time.
Manager on tonight's game John Ward believes that tonight's game against Derby County will provide a good measure for his team. The manager believes it will be a good game for the supporter and a good test for the players. He said: “They have scored 11 goals in their previous two pre-season games, so it is a bit scary really. “It is a great situation for my players, as if they want to progress in their own individual careers, they will look at Derby County and Reading and say that these are the level we have to step up to first, and there is another level above that. “It will be a great game for supporters, and a great game for the players to find out how close or how far away we might be.” And the manager is pleased with the fitness levels of his squad going into these pre-season games. He said: “We are where I want us to be as a squad in general in terms of fitness levels. Now we are in to match practice and match fitness, as whatever I do in training I cannot replicate a game. “The games now are taking priority and it is the final thing the players have to come through to be ready for Exeter.” Although the squad picked up two injury worries on Tuesday night; Jim Paterson who suffered a fractured fibula and Ryan Brunt who is seeing a specialist to determine what is wrong with his knee. John said: “Jim has fractured his fibula so that is going to keep him out for a minimum of six weeks. “That is a big disappointment for me and for him, as he came back sharp and worked hard and an innocuous situation at Hereford on Tuesday and over he goes. “Ryan Brunt will see a specialist today, and we will know what is happening over the next 24 hours. “We think there is a floating piece of bone around the knee which causes discomfort when it catches or stops, and that may have to be removed.” And although the manager would be keen to strengthen, he knows that he has to stick within the Football League budget regulations. He said: “I have got to try and strengthen, but I have got limits as to what I can do because of the Football League regulations regarding payments. “We have got to abide by those rules, and the strange thing is that all injured players are counted in the budget. “It is the same situation with a loan player. We will look at all scenarios and see what we have got.”
Team: Mildenhall, Smith, McChrystal, Parkes, Brown, Richards, Norburn, Clarke, Harrison, Clarkson, Harrold Substitutes: Conor Gough, Mitch Harding, Jordan Goddard, Tom Lockyer, Shaquille Hunter, Alefe Santos, Josh Southway, Pat Keary, George Rigg.
Nothing new to report. Back 5 is settled and only suspensions or injuries will change it. Richards as frustrating as always....how many chances can he have? CM still a problem. Is Norburn as good as he looks?! Clarke had one of his poorer games. Harrold toiled away. Clarkson showed skill but is he fully fit? All the youngsters showed flashes of skill and promise. Having seaid that Derby were a really good outfit. Quick movement and passing. No disgrace to lose 0-2.
if we can get decent support in front of the back 4 then no doubt we will keep plenty of clean sheets and be very hard to beat. but we dont have that protection in front of the defence so i am pretty worried now. i been saying it for a while, we need a that CM (o'toole) and a striker with pace which we do lack and experienced winger to help harrison, santos and hunter. with hammer out for the season, it looks like richards will be used out wide and that dont fill me with confidence.
