Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: Usher wide. on July 22, 2025, 09:18:14 am
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I wonder if Grant will start with a side close to the starting XI come the Exeter game a week later?
If so (& Steve Bruce has the same mind set) we should get a good sense of ‘where we are’ in this division.
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Yes. He’s confirmed that already.
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He said it in his interview after the last game.
BobG
PS Was Steve Bruce manager of Newcastle when we didn't quite make that penalty count...?
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Was Steve Bruce manager of Newcastle when we didn't quite make that penalty count...?
Chris Hughton, wasn't it?
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Tbh Rob, I've got no idea.
BobG
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Blackpool have a preseason game at Salford this evening
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Yes. He’s confirmed that already.
That's right, pretty much confirming it's a dress rehearsal for the Exeter game including managing subs based on the game rather than managing minutes.
As said on the Starting XI thread, I hope it's as competitive as the Middlesbrough pre season match last season when both teams put out the best XI available.
Went in to get my tickets yesterday and they estimated about 1300 sold so far.
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Was Steve Bruce manager of Newcastle when we didn't quite make that penalty count...?
Chris Hughton, wasn't it?
Yes it was, Rob
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Blackpool have a preseason game at Salford this evening
Finished 0-0 ?
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According to Bruce they had 4/5 missing last night some should be available for our game. Some will take longer. So we will see how we line up and they do.
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They reckon they have loanees coming in but Bruce says they have to ‘Be patient as the likelihood is they won’t be with us until the back end of August’.
I wonder if, for whatever reasons’ it’s the same with us & Charlie Crew?
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I wonder if Grant will start with a side close to the starting XI come the Exeter game a week later?
If so (& Steve Bruce has the same mind set) we should get a good sense of ‘where we are’ in this division.
it’s a puzzle as to why ere playing them at all , every scout Trainer or coach from L1 will be watching so why are we giving them a heads up :headbang:
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I wonder if Grant will start with a side close to the starting XI come the Exeter game a week later?
If so (& Steve Bruce has the same mind set) we should get a good sense of ‘where we are’ in this division.
it’s a puzzle as to why ere playing them at all , every scout Trainer or coach from L1 will be watching so why are we giving them a heads up :headbang:
Perhaps playing a team in the same league provides twice as much insight to the third party as a “friendly” against a club with lower or higher status, but it’s only one match and it’s still a test-bed, albeit a final one and just one match which will not necessarily represent how the team will perform come Day 1 of the fixture list. I don’t think the management of either team is stupid, it’s just an unusual option which will test your team more accurately against one of approximately equal strength.
I can imagine that Exeter and Stevenage will have reps there as will our and Blackpool’s spies be watching their final friendlies.
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I wonder if Grant will start with a side close to the starting XI come the Exeter game a week later?
If so (& Steve Bruce has the same mind set) we should get a good sense of ‘where we are’ in this division.
it’s a puzzle as to why ere playing them at all , every scout Trainer or coach from L1 will be watching so why are we giving them a heads up :headbang:
Because, you may know a train is coming down the tracks as you watched it pass yesterday.
But can you stop it?
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I remember years ago we had a pre season game at home with and Darren Ferguson was there with his scout watching us. We played Preston first game of season. They were watching what signs players made when taking set plays. Was very interesting listening to them. Scouts watch a game on a whole different level to most fans.
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I remember years ago we had a pre season game at home with and Darren Ferguson was there with his scout watching us. We played Preston first game of season. They were watching what signs players made when taking set plays. Was very interesting listening to them. Scouts watch a game on a whole different level to most fans.
How do you mean, like in a tent with a torch through a camp fire?
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I wonder if Grant will start with a side close to the starting XI come the Exeter game a week later?
If so (& Steve Bruce has the same mind set) we should get a good sense of ‘where we are’ in this division.
it’s a puzzle as to why ere playing them at all , every scout Trainer or coach from L1 will be watching so why are we giving them a heads up :headbang:
If opposing clubs are investigating how we play, they would watch the game regardless of the opponent.?
It’s a practice match against opponents of the same level we’ll be competing properly against the following week onwards. So what..
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Just realised it will be an interesting match up between Moly and James Husband. .
Their No 10 George Honeyman will be very familiar to McCann having had him at Hull.
I'm Blackpool will represent much of what we're likely to come up against this season with big strapping athletes, a bit of pace, threatening at set pieces but not much of an X Factor.
Really looking forward to seeing a few new things, as well as the new players and some very familiar faces.
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I wonder if there will be online commentary ?
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I wonder if there will be online commentary ?
There usually is from the bloke who sits behind me!
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I wonder if there will be online commentary ?
There usually is from the bloke who sits behind me!
Can you have him on the phone to me for the duration 8-)
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Just realised it will be an interesting match up between Moly and James Husband. .
Their No 10 George Honeyman will be very familiar to McCann having had him at Hull.
I'm Blackpool will represent much of what we're likely to come up against this season with big strapping athletes, a bit of pace, threatening at set pieces but not much of an X Factor.
Really looking forward to seeing a few new things, as well as the new players and some very familiar faces.
Husband on the bench but Niall Ennis starts.
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Interesting line up for us! I note that Billy Sharp starts, for one thing
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New PA system needs fixing!! ?
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Where's the line up available to view please Cotty Rover?
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I saw it on Facebook, posted by DRFC. I'm not sure I know how to share it on this thread
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New speaker system not working properly in the SS sadly. Not sure if it’s just the one unit closest to where I’m sat or it all. Crackling like an old CB radio.
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TLT
Sterry
Grehan
O'Riordan
Senior
Bailey
Broadbent
Molyneux
Gotts
Gibson
Sharp
14 players on the bench including McGrath, Close and Westbrooke.
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Anything happening?
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Anything happening?
https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2025/38518570-4dc8-11f0-b581-3bd5db2fb8db#Live_Updates
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So no then lol
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Blackpool winning
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Fannying around at the back is deffo thr way to go!!
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One extra update since I last looked. Three updates in total
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from a Rovers perspective. The goal kick is passed square to Sean Grehan, who gives it back to Thimothee Lo-Tutala. Under pressure from Ashley Fletcher, Lo-Tutala turns and puts a bit too much on his backheel, sending the ball over the line.
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Lo-Tutala back heeled the ball over the goal line whilst trying to do a turn to avoid the oncoming Fletcher by the sounds of the update.
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Such a soft goal to concede. Otherwise some nice passing but no chances on goal yet
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Get lawlor in
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Sounds like the team.has been drilled into playing out from the back 100 per cent regardless of how fraught with danger it is?
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DRFC updates saying not a lot of action so far!
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We haven’t got lots of height up front but I hope we don’t insist on tippy tappy at goal kicks. Everyone is too clued up now and will just punish it. Fair enough do it but just mix it up as well. Becomes a big risk if it’s so one track imo
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Embarrassing half of football, we will concede a ridiculous amount of goals playing it round the back like that
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I honestly thought we'd done with the fannying around at the back when we started to go more direct to get Rob Street in behind. I was wrong.
Also notable only 4 of the new signings have started. Perhaps there'll be a lot of changes in the 2nd half.
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My pet hate in football playing it out from the back almost all the time, crazy tactics
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That's going to be one played on youtube reels for years.
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https://x.com/ByronStrze10487/status/1949120887136915943
The goal :blush:
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Not gonna be the last time we see summat like this!!!
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Dreadful half of football. Hopefully get these tactical teething issues out of the way today. Will be a good one to learn from I think.
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Absolutely comical, topped by tripping over the ball on the line while ponderously trying to clear it. The ghost of Cedric Evina lurking around the goal line at the South Stand.
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https://x.com/ByronStrze10487/status/1949120887136915943
The goal :blush:
Not something for him to add to his you tube video
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Summary - Blackpool much better all over the park!
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DRFC updates saying not a lot of action so far!
I’m there and that’s an understatement - yawn fest so far! Hope we improve 2nd half or the loudest noise in the stadium will be my snoring!! :evil:
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It all sounds a bit grim.
I'll wait until the end of the match before I alter my PvO prediction for next week.
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It’s a friendly chill out everyone
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Equaliser by Owen Bailey.
Promotion push back on.
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1-1. Bailey poked in following a scramble at a corner
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A weird friendly at that, no one will want to get injured (obviously) neither team will want to give too much away as to style and set up- as they are both in the same league, Exeter will have someone watching this.
A but if fitness anf getting back into the 3pm kick off routine is about all either team will get from this.
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1-1. Bailey poked in following a scramble at a corner
Panic over..
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anyone know the line up for the second half?
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Substitute
A raft of changes for Rovers. OFF: Jack Senior, Billy Sharp, Connor O'Riordan, Sean Grehan, Jordan Gibson, Robbie Gotts. ON: James Maxwell, Brandon Hanlan, Jay McGrath, Matty Pearson, Glenn Middleton, Harry Clifton.
Just made the subs
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thank's
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More subs
Nixon, Close, Sbarra and Ajayi have just come on
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I honestly thought we'd done with the fannying around at the back when we started to go more direct to get Rob Street in behind. I was wrong.
Also notable only 4 of the new signings have started. Perhaps there'll be a lot of changes in the 2nd half.
We aren’t going to play the same way with Billy up top though are we mate.
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Exeter have beaten Swansea 1- 0 at Home today with a very pleasing performance apparently.
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Middleton looks quality!!
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Dreadful half of football. Hopefully get these tactical teething issues out of the way today. Will be a good one to learn from I think.
Much livelier second half. Grant must have put a rocket up them. Middleton looking lively.
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Middleton obviously wants to lockdown a starting place
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Close great after he came on. Exactly what the team misses, a midfielder with a bit of quality.
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That’s the last well see of Gibson!
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Close great after he came on. Exactly what the team misses, a midfielder with a bit of quality.
Agree we miss a bit of creativity in there. But not sure Close is the answer. He's decent in slow paced games like friendlies but struggles when the tempo is up.
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SS speakers gone!?
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Ended one all. Only a friendly but hope this moderates expectations for some people a little.
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Ironside and Westbrooke only outfield players not to make it onto the pitch.
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Much better second half
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That’s the last well see of Gibson!
The ball he put through for Moly was the best piece of quality in the game.
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Fletcher showing that forwards in L1 are way quicker than L2.
That’s a 1 man press on 2 players!
TLT not as good with his feet as TSL, need to be careful playing out from the back in this division.
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Ended one all. Only a friendly but hope this moderates expectations for some people a little.
Not sure I get what you mean, CBCB. We've drawn with a club in the same division, and apparently played poor in one half, and decent in the other. I don't think anything can be read into that as regards the season to come.
I think most fans base their expectations on what Terry, Gavin, and Grant are saying.
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That’s the last well see of Gibson!
The ball he put through for Moly was the best piece of quality in the game.
And Middleton’s first 3 attacks all caused problems in the box. Not a prayer Gibson starts over Middleton and, if he does, GM should be flogged in front of the Southstand!
If Crew and Street had been in that second half team, it would/could have been a different outcome. Small margins, but worth thinking about. Noticeably, Ironside, Hurst and Westbrook got no action today.
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For me the middle of midfield at the moment between Bailey Broadbent and Close need another with better quality.
The third spot is Clifton he looked head and shoulders above Gotts and Sbarra
We have a left winger who has pace and can cross a ball with his left foot. Middleton.
Gibson is going to find it hard to start
Billy can’t play the central striker on his own especially against a big back three. Hanlan showed he could do well for us.
We have 4 decent centre halves
Maxwell must start Senior was okay
Sterry or Nixon not sure
Molyneux was okay Ajayi was okay.
So with a month before the end of transfer window can we get players out on loans or transfers which will enable us to bring at least one central midfield player and. Striker with height and pace .
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Street came on as a 74th minute sub for Lincoln City in their excellent 4-2 win over West Brom this afternoon.
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Was a true game in regards of a friendly, no player wanting to get injured so the tackles were not flying in, perfectly understandable.
Poor showing from both teams in regards to the quality on show and the scrappiness of both goals.
Guaranteed starters for me and in my opinion only would be TLT and Bailey, I thought Broadbent had a good half with some great passing in the middle of the park, Gotts wasn't really involved at all, Gibson would do well to come off the bench this season on today's showing. Grant has said he probably knows 6 starters for the Saturday game but I'm stumped at 4 so I'm glad he knows this team much better than I do.
In Grant we trust but this season is going to be a long one with more highs than lows fingers crossed as I for one can't wait for the season to start and back the team 100% win, lose or draw.
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What I'm taking from all this is beating mid-table league one teams like Blackpool is not far beyond our remit, as long as we're a bit cleverer tactictly and don't make silly mistakes.
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What I'm taking from all this is beating mid-table league one teams like Blackpool is not far beyond our remit, as long as we're a bit cleverer tactictly and don't make silly mistakes.
I think Blackpool will be top 6.
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Was a true game in regards of a friendly, no player wanting to get injured so the tackles were not flying in, perfectly understandable.
Poor showing from both teams in regards to the quality on show and the scrappiness of both goals.
Guaranteed starters for me and in my opinion only would be TLT and Bailey, I thought Broadbent had a good half with some great passing in the middle of the park, Gotts wasn't really involved at all, Gibson would do well to come off the bench this season on today's showing. Grant has said he probably knows 6 starters for the Saturday game but I'm stumped at 4 so I'm glad he knows this team much better than I do.
In Grant we trust but this season is going to be a long one with more highs than lows fingers crossed as I for one can't wait for the season to start and back the team 100% win, lose or draw.
TLT
Sterry
Maxwell
Bailey
Molyneux
Hanlan
Then likely Broadbent as the other CM. CB between any two of the four. Left wing and #10 is any of Gibson, Middleton, Ajayi, Gotts, Sbarra and Clifton.
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Close great after he came on. Exactly what the team misses, a midfielder with a bit of quality.
Agree we miss a bit of creativity in there. But not sure Close is the answer. He's decent in slow paced games like friendlies but struggles when the tempo is up.
If Close is the answer we've definitely gone backwards, every midfield he's been involved in for us gets over-run. He's overrated on the ball for me also , looking half tidy knocking 10 yard sideways passes about. Westbrook's far better but tbh Crew showed us exactly what we've been lacking in that area, I hope he's going to be a late addition
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Blackpool changed their formation to 352 today as they have injured wide players according to their assistant manager. They normally play 442 I believe we would have played better first half if they had played 442. I believe Blackpool will be near the top six. I think we be about mid table unless we bring in another midfielder and striker
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Street came on as a 74th minute sub for Lincoln City in their excellent 4-2 win over West Brom this afternoon.
They were 3 1 up at the time having conceded two goals in first two minutes he played wide as Draper replaced Collins up front
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I don’t recall when watching the clips of the keepers training over in Spain, one of them playing the ball ten yards to a defender from out of the six yard area, receiving it back then ‘confusing’ the press by using ball skills like Messi.
Not once, even after that comical og, but time after time.
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Street came on as a 74th minute sub for Lincoln City in their excellent 4-2 win over West Brom this afternoon.
I’ll be amazed if Street has a real goal impact for Lincoln this season. Happy to be proved wrong, as he helped us get where we are and appears to be a great lad, but if he gets 10 I’d be stunned.
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A good learning curve today I thought. Looked steady to start off with but then when we hesitated, we lost our concentration for a while. We took a few liberties which we're not going to get away with as much in L1.
Still some obvious familiarisation going on but first half particularly, Sterry wasn't on it. I wasn't sure what Gotts is about, and still don't. Gibson played into his stereotype very quickly with some slack play. O'Riordon and Grehan did OK as a pair while looking a bit uncertain at times.
Better second half, particularly when subs came on. Middleton quickly showing how to cross a ball, then another, then another, just begging to be attacked. He did not disappoint and surely he's earned a start.
Decent cameos from Hanlon, Ajayi and Close who could have had a hat trick.
Definitely work in progress and we have some very good players. Lose the League One naivety ,get to know each others games and we'll be very competitive.
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Fewer things funnier than lower league footballers, particularly goalkeepers thinking they have the skills and abilities of Premier league players.
The memo has gone round league 1 already, Donny have a keeper who thinks he's Maradona.
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We did seem to have gotten the memo re dicking about at goal kicks getting you nothing but a red face last season. Hope we’ve not forgotten the basics and start trying this at a higher level.
Hopefully it’s just a ploy to ours Exeter into overcommitting a press we simply smash the ball over
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Grehan for.me was very.poor today, very hesitant. Didn't win many headers or tackles the game seemed to overwhelm him. JMHO
I did like what I saw of O'Riordon and Middleton did more than Gibson in his 20 odd mins apart from that one glorious pass that Gibson found Mols with 2nd half. Those crosses from Middleton were outstanding
Grant has a few selection headaches before next Saturday
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Grehan was much better last week v MK Dons but agreed he wasn't much cop today. First time I've seen O'Riordan and I was really impressed. Pearson and one other though for the first few games I think.
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Street came on as a 74th minute sub for Lincoln City in their excellent 4-2 win over West Brom this afternoon.
I’ll be amazed if Street has a real goal impact for Lincoln this season. Happy to be proved wrong, as he helped us get where we are and appears to be a great lad, but if he gets 10 I’d be stunned.
Do you think that would increase if he was playing here? I feel like it probably would.
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I agree. Players respond when they know they are loved.
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Street came on as a 74th minute sub for Lincoln City in their excellent 4-2 win over West Brom this afternoon.
I’ll be amazed if Street has a real goal impact for Lincoln this season. Happy to be proved wrong, as he helped us get where we are and appears to be a great lad, but if he gets 10 I’d be stunned.
Do you think that would increase if he was playing here? I feel like it probably would.
He’s not though is he Jonathan so it’s a moot point.
Middleton came on at 60 minutes so I have only his 30 do go on his appearance which was very positive. He had 4 crosses into the box (would Joe Ironside have got onto one of them?) 3 hit their ‘target’ the other was put out of play. On the short time I saw him he looked for a pass, was quick & had a good delivery. I think he’ll play a big part in our season but let’s not diss Gibson too early?
I liked what I saw of the first 45 minutes O’Riordon gave us in the centre back spot. Not only did he win every headed challenge against a big forward, I liked his composure when he brought the ball out of defence & to my recall never gave the ball away with a ‘cheap hurried’ pass. He or Pearson I feel would make a decent centre back pairing with Jay. Grehan on first showing for me looked out of his depth. He looked like a rabbit caught in headlights when pressed receiving the ball from the back by TLT, his distribution was poor & he lost every headed challenge. A work in progress?
I think the likely centre back pairing come Saturday will be Pearson & McGrath.
I didn’t see what Gotts offered in midfield that S’barra doesn’t….which is very, very little. Bailey worked his socks off in there which is ‘a given’ (& poked in the equaliser from a crowded box). Broadbent was always looking to show from those disastrous play outs from the keeper. He played two cracking 40 yarders to the wide men then one lazy one at 10 yards just outside our box straight to a Blackpool player. We’re desperate in that area for a ‘Charlie Crew’.
We need more options & firepower up front imo. Whether we’ll get that I doubt this side of January.
I don’t mean the post to come over as all doom & gloom. It’s a tougher challenge than last season but I trust in Grant to form us into a unit capable of making a fist of it this season.
We’ll beat Exeter come Saturday so turn up in your droves if you’re not on your jollies to cheer the boys to a win.
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Grehan for.me was very.poor today, very hesitant. Didn't win many headers or tackles the game seemed to overwhelm him. JMHO
I did like what I saw of O'Riordon and Middleton did more than Gibson in his 20 odd mins apart from that one glorious pass that Gibson found Mols with 2nd half. Those crosses from Middleton were outstanding
Grant has a few selection headaches before next Saturday
You've nailed it for me.
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Middleton a bit of an interesting case. Left footed left winger. That’s not how Grant usually sets up. He generally plays opposite footed wingers. I like opposite footed wingers for variety of reasons, I wonder if Middleton on the left may add some things tactically but take away other positives.
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Street came on as a 74th minute sub for Lincoln City in their excellent 4-2 win over West Brom this afternoon.
I’ll be amazed if Street has a real goal impact for Lincoln this season. Happy to be proved wrong, as he helped us get where we are and appears to be a great lad, but if he gets 10 I’d be stunned.
Do you think that would increase if he was playing here? I feel like it probably would.
He’s not though is he Jonathan so it’s a moot point.
Middleton came on at 60 minutes so I have only his 30 do go on his appearance which was very positive. He had 4 crosses into the box (would Joe Ironside have got onto one of them?) 3 hit their ‘target’ the other was put out of play. On the short time I saw him he looked for a pass, was quick & had a good delivery. I think he’ll play a big part in our season but let’s not diss Gibson too early?
I liked what I saw of the first 45 minutes O’Riordon gave us in the centre back spot. Not only did he win every headed challenge against a big forward, I liked his composure when he brought the ball out of defence & to my recall never gave the ball away with a ‘cheap hurried’ pass. He or Pearson I feel would make a decent centre back pairing with Jay. Grehan on first showing for me looked out of his depth. He looked like a rabbit caught in headlights when pressed receiving the ball from the back by TLT, his distribution was poor & he lost every headed challenge. A work in progress?
I think the likely centre back pairing come Saturday will be Pearson & McGrath.
I didn’t see what Gotts offered in midfield that S’barra doesn’t….which is very, very little. Bailey worked his socks off in there which is ‘a given’ (& poked in the equaliser from a crowded box). Broadbent was always looking to show from those disastrous play outs from the keeper. He played two cracking 40 yarders to the wide men then one lazy one at 10 yards just outside our box straight to a Blackpool player. We’re desperate in that area for a ‘Charlie Crew’.
We need more options & firepower up front imo. Whether we’ll get that I doubt this side of January.
I don’t mean the post to come over as all doom & gloom. It’s a tougher challenge than last season but I trust in Grant to form us into a unit capable of making a fist of it this season.
We’ll beat Lincoln come Saturday so turn up in your droves if you’re not on your jollies to cheer the boys to a win.
Lincoln?
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Middleton a bit of an interesting case. Left footed left winger. That’s not how Grant usually sets up. He generally plays opposite footed wingers. I like opposite footed wingers for variety of reasons, I wonder if Middleton on the left may add some things tactically but take away other positives.
He's very good with his right foot too so he can go both ways.
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Only managed to get to the Alfreton friendly so my knowledge on the new lads is very limited. But for the love of god Ben Close is not the answer in our midfield in this league. Been the biggest waste of money in our recent history and the fact that he is sat warming our bench tells its own story. I feel Gotts will be a good addition in time but Clifton IMO is important to how we play and also weighs in with a few goals. Bringing Crew back would be a really good move. As for the defence Pearson is far too slow for this division. If Jay isn’t fully fit I would go with Grehan and O’ Riordan. Also feel we are extremely short in attack I’m quite amazed that nobody else has come in. Maybe Ajayi will play there if Hanlan is injured or out of form.
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Street came on as a 74th minute sub for Lincoln City in their excellent 4-2 win over West Brom this afternoon.
I’ll be amazed if Street has a real goal impact for Lincoln this season. Happy to be proved wrong, as he helped us get where we are and appears to be a great lad, but if he gets 10 I’d be stunned.
Do you think that would increase if he was playing here? I feel like it probably would.
He’s not though is he Jonathan so it’s a moot point.
Middleton came on at 60 minutes so I have only his 30 do go on his appearance which was very positive. He had 4 crosses into the box (would Joe Ironside have got onto one of them?) 3 hit their ‘target’ the other was put out of play. On the short time I saw him he looked for a pass, was quick & had a good delivery. I think he’ll play a big part in our season but let’s not diss Gibson too early?
I liked what I saw of the first 45 minutes O’Riordon gave us in the centre back spot. Not only did he win every headed challenge against a big forward, I liked his composure when he brought the ball out of defence & to my recall never gave the ball away with a ‘cheap hurried’ pass. He or Pearson I feel would make a decent centre back pairing with Jay. Grehan on first showing for me looked out of his depth. He looked like a rabbit caught in headlights when pressed receiving the ball from the back by TLT, his distribution was poor & he lost every headed challenge. A work in progress?
I think the likely centre back pairing come Saturday will be Pearson & McGrath.
I didn’t see what Gotts offered in midfield that S’barra doesn’t….which is very, very little. Bailey worked his socks off in there which is ‘a given’ (& poked in the equaliser from a crowded box). Broadbent was always looking to show from those disastrous play outs from the keeper. He played two cracking 40 yarders to the wide men then one lazy one at 10 yards just outside our box straight to a Blackpool player. We’re desperate in that area for a ‘Charlie Crew’.
We need more options & firepower up front imo. Whether we’ll get that I doubt this side of January.
I don’t mean the post to come over as all doom & gloom. It’s a tougher challenge than last season but I trust in Grant to form us into a unit capable of making a fist of it this season.
We’ll beat Lincoln come Saturday so turn up in your droves if you’re not on your jollies to cheer the boys to a win.
Lincoln?
Don’t know where that came from Filo! Changed now to Mansfield.
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Mansfield?
BobG
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Perm any one from:
Lincoln
Mansfield
Exeter
:(
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So if we can read anything into a training session which yesterday was, we can take some positives. Blackpool, with one of the favoured squads could not score against us. Our back 4s must have been quite effective. We produced quite a few scoring chances, of which we scored one, we should be able to make more in a competitive game. Our midfielders were effective in producing crosses. A big tick before we start.
Exeter will be VERY interesting, and I suspect will start like we did last season against Accrington. Fingers crossed this is going to be a fun season!
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Mansfield?
BobG
Hooked & in the keep net.
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Perm any one from:
Lincoln
Mansfield
Exeter
:(
Crikey they’re biting today!
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Depends on the size of the worm!
;) :lol:
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Self awareness and self analysis lacking - or even absent. Another example of the defensive/aggressive response. The focus on the defensive rather than the aggressive doesn't change the behaviour system displayed. Perhaps it even displays personal insecurity.
BobG
Can I get off your couch now I’m nodding off?
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Done it again Usher. When you're ready to address the point at issue, let me know. Repeatedly avoiding it tells us more about you than I'm sure you'll be confortable with.
BobG
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Only managed to get to the Alfreton friendly so my knowledge on the new lads is very limited. But for the love of god Ben Close is not the answer in our midfield in this league. Been the biggest waste of money in our recent history and the fact that he is sat warming our bench tells its own story. I feel Gotts will be a good addition in time but Clifton IMO is important to how we play and also weighs in with a few goals. Bringing Crew back would be a really good move. As for the defence Pearson is far too slow for this division. If Jay isn’t fully fit I would go with Grehan and O’ Riordan. Also feel we are extremely short in attack I’m quite amazed that nobody else has come in. Maybe Ajayi will play there if Hanlan is injured or out of form.
Yes, similar concern with Pearson although a bit of pace can be made up with positioning and anticipation.
We can't make full judgments on one game. I mean Sterry ran in to trouble about 3 times. If that had've been our first viewing of him, we'd be concerned. Similar for Gotts and Grehan. Close had a good cameo, as did the rest of the subs, but McCann will be the judge on his future. Sounds like he's giving him a chance although very few would have him in our starting XI.
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Based on yesterdays display Gibson shouldn't be anywhere near the squad on Saturday.
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One or two "Whoosh" moments in this thread.
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Was it just me, or was the West Stand Lino very generous to Blackpool in the second half last 15 mins? Hanlan through on goal, being pulled back by his shirt, surely in a league game, worthy of a red?? Foul not even given, allowed to play on.
Then Ajayi had Husband holding onto him for dear life, as he was getting past him, yet he gave the foul to them.
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Done it again Usher. When you're ready to address the point at issue, let me know. Repeatedly avoiding it tells us more about you than I'm sure you'll be confortable with.
BobG
You know Bob, you strike me as a man that clearly the ‘gift of humour’ has always been close to, but somehow you always manage to out run it.
UsherW
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Was it just me, or was the West Stand Lino very generous to Blackpool in the second half last 15 mins? Hanlan through on goal, being pulled back by his shirt, surely in a league game, worthy of a red?? Foul not even given, allowed to play on.
Then Ajayi had Husband holding onto him for dear life, as he was getting past him, yet he gave the foul to them.
There was definitely an air of ‘it’s a friendly’ written throughout the game DBR by the officials.
In a league game there would have been at least 3 yellows & a possible red when Hanlan was through at goal on a possible one on one with the keeper & clearly had his shirt nearly ripped off his back.
However, there were no nasty tackles or persistent physicality shown by either sets of players so I guess we have to say “It’s a friendly & let’s accept within the realms of reason because of that”.
No injuries to either sets of players which would definitely suit Blackpool more than us. I think they’re ‘struggling’ at present to field their ‘best side’ due to long term injuries.
Thankfully Grant doesn’t have that problem.
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Was it just me, or was the West Stand Lino very generous to Blackpool in the second half last 15 mins? Hanlan through on goal, being pulled back by his shirt, surely in a league game, worthy of a red?? Foul not even given, allowed to play on.
Then Ajayi had Husband holding onto him for dear life, as he was getting past him, yet he gave the foul to them.
You obviously didn't notice that the ref decided to play advantage, even though there ws none, as Rovers still had the ball after the pull back on Hanlan