Schalke Cup

HT. Decent so far, they've had most of the play but we've looked handy and composed for the most part. Massive improvement on yesterday's ****show

 

I don't think we should slate big mike. He is slow and never scores but hes decent defensively. Anita is a very decent backup left back. I think santon will win back the left back spot at some point.

 

Williamson is a big difference today.

Then again any CB who doesnt lurk 4 yards behind his defensive line would be!

 

Anita looking canny at fullback too.

 

I think we have made a big big error defensively this season. Left backs are poor and centre halfs are poor. It'll bite us eventually. At left back Haidara and Santon can't defend but look good attacking wise. Thats ok if centre backs are good. Dummett is a better defender but offers nothing in attack. That might be ok if he can dovetail with Cabella (Aarons is good cover there) Janmaat is will be good at right back, but one injury and what have we got? Mbiwa? Anita?

Our spine still looks sub standard. Been impressed with Riviere but really I'm not sure he'll cut it. He has given me hope but we still lack that top quality centre forward. I'd like Wickham but he won't give that guarantee. Ferrarya? Who knows.

We still have no one to control pace of the game in midfield. Colback, Anita, Tiote all good options but none of them are intelligent ball players who dictate the game like Cabaye, Speed did.

Centre backs - Mbiwa, Saylor, Willo all average. Two of them are very error strewn. Colo like you say is injury prone and perhaps on the wane. There are question marks over Krul.

Don't want to sound negative as everyone is quite positive after some activity but I'm not convinced. Throw in Pardew is average and you have a recipe for mid table at best.

 

Have to say Aarons is a massive bonus. Just get shot of Sammy.

 

Aaron's with a quality finish

 

Really impressed by this kid Aarons, good prospect!

 

Luckier too by the look of it lol. Good run again tho for that goal.

 

Obviously a cross but the kid has jet heels.

 

Excellent timing! What a run that was by Aarons. Flukey finish like. Hatem Ben who?

 

Thats what you get for having a Rob Elliot lookalike in goal. Take away the fluke, its another great break, strength and bit of technical skill.

 

Aye I saw it coming, honest..............

 

Good shift by Riviere, he is decent. Ferrerya on.

 

Ferrerya on! Lets see what this lads about.

 

I said it was about Aaron's. That was a class run and cross. He's our new left winger.

 

Good header tooz

 

Pards seems keen on Aarons, hopefully we can manage him in same way Liverpool did Sterling. Use him when he is up and then rest him appropriately. Don't just heap it on him too much too soon regardless of fans clamour.

 

He'll be pardewed within a month....

WHAT! Mr T isn't around today so I thought I'd fill in.

 

This looks like a threatening team with lots of pace to spare. I know its a friendly but these guys are no slouches- we've looked thoroughly decent and menacing on the break. We got plenty of change from that way of playing last year, looks like it'll be some more this year. Some more good away wins to follow if we keep it up. A big IF.

3-0 Cabella!