What will be exciting is seeing how our new manager approaches it, who his starting eleven is, who's on the bench, and so on. These early league and Cup games will reveal a lot.
Will be interesting to see if any of those out on loan last season such as Kamara or Hills get a look in in the first team
Players due back today for pre-season testing, start pre-season training proper on Monday 1st July (minus internationals)
Just noticed that tonight when we have the first semi of the Euros we also have the first qualifying round of next seasons Champions League. Has the world of football gone mad?
Not the most exciting of comments about the season ahead but I was at the England women's match last night. Safe standing has been installed in the Lower Barclay, the Snake pit and a section of the away fans. Not really sure how much safer it makes things but if nothing else, it prevents the poor stewards having to try to get people to sit down which is never going to happen and just causes problems. I told you it wasn't exciting!! I'm off to watch some paint dry!! Roll on pre-season.....OTBC!!
Norwich 2-0 up after 12 minutes against Northampton. Both goals from Rowe, the first a good header from a Stacey cross and the second he seized upon a defensive mistake and rounded the keeper. Rowe playing on the left, Kamara in the right and Fassnacht through the middle as a false 9. Midfield of Lungi, Sara and Sainz. Stacey at RB, Hills and Duffy CBs and Montoia LB with Long in goal. Lively start with a high press and quick passing through the lines.
Have been watching Brad Hills in particular. Looks strong and to have bulked up a bit last season. Composed; crisp and accurate with his passing to feet, can't recall him giving the ball away. But not sure he has the necessary pace. In that respect similar to J. Tomkinson.
Best player on the pitch in the second half. Super performance from the young man. And glad to see Aboh get the third goal, having committed to the club.
Manning also scored a spectacular goal from his own half but it didn't count as the ref had already blown up for a foul on Aboh.
Reading through the post match analysis the early indications are good, but the two tests to come in Belgium will tell us more. Once again Rowe looks fired up from the off, as do Sara and Stacey. Sainz looked good taking on a new role in midfield, Fassnacht played as a false 9, Sørensen looked solid in midfield and Montóia put in a solid performance at LB. Fisher's youthful charges did their bit in the second half, including Aboh's goal and Manning's spectacular strike cancelled out by a foul on Aboh. Given Zoe Webber's comments about the club's debts being internalised and therefore not under pressure for payment, the key factor now is how many players might or might not leave and how many others might come in. Thorup said that Knapper is working hard on a new LB recruit but otherwise it seems to be a waiting game.
