Next week we play friendlies against both Falkirk and Motherwell and I will be attending them both. My issue is, what team would we play for these games? Considering both these teams have now played a few friendlies and have bought in some added players to their squads, we could end up with a humping against us, particularly against a young fast Motherwell side who like to play football on the deck and at speed. I'm struggling to get a decent midfield from the squad we have, so perhaps our method of play next season will be the Blackwell method of hump it up and by pass the midfield. Never been convinced by any of our youth players coming through in recent years, and don't want them back in the team simply because other loan teams have rejected them or they are in the squad, they ain't good enough (FULL STOP) Any ideas of the team for next week?
................................Rachubka.................................. Connelly....Kisnorbo......Lees..........White........... ................Howson............Clayton......................... .....Snodgrass......Nunez...........Gradel............... .......................Becchio...................... Subs: New GK,O'Brien,Bromby,Bruce,Parker,Bessone,Sam McCormack,Somma,Paynter & Grella(think he's stiil with us). Not bad but apart from obviously needing another GK this team is in desperate need of a holding DM,its too attacking by far & offers no protection to the defence but its based on the squad we currently have.
The players I have put in bold, I have concerns about, I simply don't think they are good enough. Any opposition manager will look at that team and see the weakness and attack our left hand side.
That's why I've put them in,to see if they are good enough,that's the whole point of these pre-season friendlies. If they are good enough-great. If not,we need at least another 3 signings as well as a new GK or else we'll struggle. Personally I think they are good enough,particularly Nunez,Lees & White-we'll soon find out.
Thom Kirwin said to expect a couple of signings by the Scotland frendlies. Also, BFB, do you only come on here to try big up Scottish football? We may lose, but only because they have both been in pre-season for a while and are preparing to start the season and so will be a lot fitter than us. Apart from Celtic and Rangers the SPL is lower mid-table standard at best. Caley Thistle (my nominal "2nd" team) have just lost their best player to Birmingham's bench and have replaced their released players with an out of contract Stockport midfielder, a Raith Rovers striker and have lost out on one of their targets from Accrington Stanley to Shrewsbury, and they finished with more pooints than Motherwell. EDIT: Or even points.
Perhaps the fact we are playing in Scotland next week, is the reason why I speak about Scottish things. I'm also Scottish, so I guess I have a vested interest. That said, I don't support a Scottish team and don't have much interest in league football in Scotland, so only really comment on players. Anyway, what is your issue?
I think his issue is the way you bigged these teams up to be something special,or that's how it appeared to me. I think even a non match fit Leeds United will be too strong fot these two lightweights. We certainly won't be getting thumped.even without a DM. Should be plenty of goals though in both ends!!
I'm simply informing those who are rather ignorant of Scottish football, that teams such as Motherwell are far better than some think. I would suggest that unless something happens between now and next Friday, I expect us to get beat by Motherwell, with perhaps a draw against a lower league Falkirk team. Motherwell under McCall, play a Swansea style of football, fast and at you, we have shown many times over the last few seasons that we can't cope with this style of play against us.
And you're doing what I said again. Motherwell may try to play that football, but they're undoubtedly far worse than Swansea were last season. Any time a team other than Celtic or Rangers ends up in Europe they're beaten in qualifying by the 2nd place team from Slovakia or similar. Motherwell are no better than a good league 1 team. If we were playing them with our current squad but with the same fitness levels and giving 100% I have no doubt we would win comrehensively, the only reasons we may struggle are a lack of fitness and determination compared to Motherwell given our respective stages of pre-season. I remember when we beat an at the time strong Hibs with a cobbled together team consisting partly of players who would never actually play a league game for us.
Was at the Hibs game, it was a poor game of football from both sides and I didn't take anything out of it. I guess we will just have to wait and see, but I reiterate we are going to play a good team, with young fit and fast players who also want to make an impression to those watching in the stands. I would also suggest that Motherwell are more of an mid table Championship side, not League One. Perhaps watching them and then guage your opinion on what you see, would be better than simply rating them because they are a Scottish team. Over the last few years Celtic have beaten Man Utd in friendlies, does this mean Celtic are a better team than Man Utd?
Normally pre season has a mix of first teamers and reserves, I think the likes of Clayton and Nunez will be involved, Lees possibly. But looking at the starting 11, its not looking fearsome or promising.
usually u need 2 teams for pre season bcos everyone plays only 45 minutes. now we are struggling for that rachubka connolly paddy obrien parker snoddy clayton nunez sam becchio somma rachubka(cairns) bromby lees bruce bessone gradel howson ? white mccormack paynter
I have watched them, note the part under my name that says "location". They are distinctly average like the rest of the "good" teams in the SPL. We may only lose because it's pre-season and anything can happen, not because Motherwell are particularly good.
