Have we got 11 players to take on a pre season friendly tour
All I have on my wall is the 2022/23 squad with 9 names scratched out, and probably Mahoney going out on loan! That leaves 19 players left, of which 3 are goalkeepers; 6 are defenders (but includes Hamalainen); 7 are midfield; and 3 are strikers. How many of those would I put in my starting XI though....... Unless we get a flurry of activity in the next 7 days then we will be playing pre-season friendlies with no definite starters - all very unsettling for a side that needs to start the new season with confidence.
Last Edit: Jun 20, 2023 19:24:44 GMT by kingfisher
Slavia Prague should be a very good test for us and I don't expect a win, last season they finished 2nd in the Czech 1st division. but Vorwarts Steyr should be a good confidence booster and we should run up a few goals. although last season they were in the Austrian second division they were relegated to the reginal leagues which at best is about National league standard
I booked a place, despite it being one of the earlier friendlies so perhaps late signings will not feature, but I am hoping to get some idea of how GA will set us up to play. Anyone else going?
This from the club's Twitter feed: Armstrong, Smyth, Balogun, Kakay and Salamon all sit out today to manage their individual loading
So who get's to play at RB - Drewe or Adomah or someone else? A centre back of Dunne & JCS with Paal or the new lad, Larkeche, at LB? Up front that leaves Dykes, Kelman and Hazmad Kargbo to choose from?
Watching, and we are 2-0 down already. First was a deflection by our '19' [Dixon-Bonner] as they tried to block a free kick, but the second was more a question of nobody tracking back to pick up their '19' as he received the ball on the edge of the box and shot.
Watching, and we are 2-0 down already. First was a deflection by our '19' [Dixon-Bonner] as they tried to block a free kick, but the second was more a question of nobody tracking back to pick up their '19' as he received the ball on the edge of the box and shot.
Probably good to get the mistakes out of the way early and concentrate on getting fit for the new season.
Will Ainsworth still have those flowing locks at the end of this season or will it have fallen out I wonder.
Well we made it to Half Time with only those two goals the difference between a side which is ahead of us in terms of readiness for the next season and quality. Our Back 4 of Adomah, Dunne, Gubbins & Larkeche did OK considering the pressure they were under, as did Sam Field. However, the AM and attack looked overwhelmed (Dixon-Bonner, Chair, Kargbo, Duke-McKenna and some guy on the right).
All change for the next half I believe.
Paul Smyth doing the commentary in place of Andy Sinton and revealed he knew about QPR's interest about 2 weeks before he signed, so we now have some idea of the lead time between expressing an interest and it happening - or not!
Interesting to note that all the deliveries from the goalies have all been long balls I think....
Chair has joined the commentary team and has been extolling the virtues of Sinclair Armstrong, who is still doing training a little behind most.
60mins and Dykes joins the attack instead of Kargbo, whilst JCS replaced by Peddar I think....
Chris Willock came on at HT and sorry to say he looks off pace still, whereas Taylor Richards looks good in that he is difficult to get off the ball and attacks!
