well done. Out of hundreds of replies you find one to fit the narrative. If I look hard enough I’ll find some info on the internet that says the moon is made of cheese and womens football is watchable.
Getting game time in the legs so they're fit and can last longer than the first 10 minutes of matches unlike last season. Getting some of the kids some valuable experience playing with proper pro's, testing themselves against decent opposition, and trying new ideas. Not concerned to be honest, I'd rather the howlers were made in these games than the real thing. Lads have being playing in temperatures they're not used to playing in too to be fair.
It was only 23 degrees last night. Think humidity was around 60%. Good workout for everyone. Shame about the ref being a twat.
I think that's harsh. Burn barely put a foot wrong last season. He was mostly a solid 7/8 out of 10 most games. The only clear goals you could say are his fault were - 1. Chelsea last minute winner - But lets face it, that wasn't mainly due to bad defending, that was a quality goal that couldn't have been executed more perfectly. Sublime ball, touch and finish, and it wasn't burns fault we didn't get a pen. 2. Everton winner against us. Fair enough he was really caught out, but again, not his fault we couldn't score. Those are the only two goals he could possibly be fully blamed for, but I still think it's harsh. Over the course of the season he was our best CB. Also he assisted a few goals with dominant headers. Even schar was having terrible games towards the end of last season.
This is true. Conditioning I think it’s called. I would hope he has an idea of his starting 11 that does not include a certain striker.
I don’t think Howe has a choice in doing what he’s done, because once you get past the first XI it’s a shocking drop in level. So to keep us competitive in the match he has to use first teamers in with the dross. Imagine Wood, Murphy, Ritchie, Mongstaff, Longstaff, Shelvey, Krafth, Lascelles, Burn, Bondswell and Darlow as your first XI?!!! Benfica would’ve run out 6-2 winners. I’m optimistic that it sharpens the focus on how poor some of the squad is.
To be fair, Bondswell looked to have coped well and we lost some impetus when Shelvey went off. The rest of what you said was spot on though
Sorry, that implied I didn't rate Bondswell - he was one of the best on the night and I was kinda like "where the hell was this kid when we were constantly playing ****ing Ritchie at left back??". Shelvey as well looks determined, so fair play.
He was probably still in school. Edit: He only joined us in March 2021 from Germany. He went out on loan to Shrewsbury in January 2022 and was returned to us in March 2022 without playing a game for them. His upgrade to the first team squad may be just a happy fluke due to injuries.
I will, I will for sure. I hope you are there promptly otherwise the round might just be 1 drink (mine) hahahah
I'll walk you to the bar and video it mate so we can bust this myth, I promise I'll stop recording before the tears get too bad.
I'm going tonight but I'm not out on the lash. I'm having to drive and my daughter is coming with me for her first visit to St. James. Really looking forward to it, it's almost a sell out.
Nothing better than taking your kids to their first ever game. The look on their faces when they come up the steps and first see the pitch is magical.
