They did bring on 9 new players 10 minutes into the second half, so fitness probably played a part in that loss. It wasn't are strongest line up but I thought they did ok, apart from the own goal, I think Toffolo could turn out to be a really good defender.
I thought Toffolo and E Bennett were good. Bennett is unlikely to get many games in his usual position ahead of Redmond and the elusive pimpernel Brady. Good for him to stake a claim to the full back role. Gary O'Neill was also very effective tonight and is defo an asset worth keeping hold of
Agree with all of that, Cromer, and with Carrabuh's comment about Toffolo. He has a maturity and sharpness that belies his age. The own goal was unfortunate, but it shouldn't detract from his very good performance tonight.
So the first team other than Ruddy didn't start tonight and they still looked quite good ?. That is the point of friendlies after all.
I wonder if Toffolo's performances have turned AN's mind about signing another LB, so he is going for Wisdom at RB instead. Brady and Whittaker can also cover at LB and Wisdom can also play at CB, if need be.
My assessment is Andreu looks well short in every department. Turner should be sold Hooper is overweight RVW played very well with great movement but should have scored Odjada Ofoe presently has poor 1st touch and passing Redmond looks fit and sharp We need a new right back for when we need to defend
Toffolo has impressed me every time I've seen him. Has a real confidence about him and was getting forward really well on the left wing, as well as defending solidly. I think we missed the creativity in the middle of Wes. Andreau and Vadis don't have that same guile and vision. Ricky definitely should have scored but it's good that he's getting in those positions and having chances. I thought Hooper actually played quite well and his game isn't about running around like a headless chicken so him carry a bit of timber isn't an issue. I think that might just be the way he looks as he seems to get called fat every other week on here!
Agree about Toffolo, Colk, as I thought he was excellent throughout. I wonder if AN now sees him as sufficient back-up behind Olsson and Brady. I'm reserving judgement about Andreu, as he isn't really a wide player. He looked far better when playing as a number 10. Not as much guile as Wes, certainly, but would probably score more goals from there. I also think that Odjidja-Ofoe would be more effective in a 4-2-3-1 with Wes or Andreu to link with. Rvw made some very good runs and should have scored, but at least it was on target and just clipped the keeper's leg. Hooper did well enough, but had few clear chances, really. IMO Hooper is the new Holt in the weight respect. Some people will always see him that way.
Only thing I disagree with Yep, though I thought Hooper also had some good touches/turns/runs in between all the wheezing. I also thought VOO showed a couple of very nice passes and touches in amongst the dreadful ones (a couple of awful balls from him) which suggested he has the ability if not the consistency
I was impressed with RvW last night. He made lots of space for himself and (as others actually passed to him) used it quite well, should have had a goal but was at the centre of everything we looked to create. I'd be interested to see him get another go on Saturday maybe with Grabban.
I pre-empted your comment, and was expecting it to end with:- I'd be interested to see him get another go on Saturday maybe with... St Etienne!!
It seems the jury is still well and truly out on Ricky. Of all the stuff I'm reading from people who have watched a bit of the pre-season, the comments range from "he's not good enough" to "he's looking really sharp, clearly still has the quality" and everything in between.
Hooper is a class act but if he seriously wants to play under AN he will have to knuckle down and get fitter. I though Vladis looked strong and energetic and can do a job for us. I thought both of our full backs did OK but also the EB got caught out of position a few times by being caught narrow although maybe this was his instruction. Toffolo looks a very good prospect. Ruddy made some good stops and I though Ryan Bennett was pretty dominant. For me the game turned when West Ham brough on their subs after the hour - they just seemed to have far more energy than our players who I felt had pretty much been in charge from around 12-13 minutes in to that point. Redmond looked good when he came on and I think if nothing else our lack of penetration on the left relative to the right justifies why AN sees wide left as a priority to strengthen.
