Spain training camp

[moses]

Mentioned it before, in one of his last game at Rovers, Hurst let a player run past him and didn't chase back full pelt right in front Grant. Grant shouted at him.
Hurst did it again and was subbed shortly after, I don't think he really played again after that.
I don't think Grant trusts him.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Mentioned it before, in one of his last game at Rovers, Hurst let a player run past him and didn't chase back full pelt right in front Grant. Grant shouted at him.
Hurst did it again and was subbed shortly after, I don't think he really played again after that.
I don't think Grant trusts him.

Yes, I think that's the only logical conclusion. They work so hard to prepare the team  including defensive positions, so if he has a habit of not being where he should be, then maybe McCanns patience wore thin. We might say Gibson didn't always put the effort in defensively but I think that's a side of his game that did improve as the season came to the run in.

In addition, I think we'll see some dynamism from Middleton which will provide even stiffer competition.

As said, it's a shame though cos Hurst in full flow was a big contributor to our offensive success in the first half of the season.

[jmt23]

The very same thing happened with Gibson. Gibson did start to do what was asked in the end, and the reason he found himself back in favour.

Season 2 for Gibson, this is where we really see if he understands Grants ways, or I feel he will be gone.

[TheFunk]

Hursty seems to me to be either unwilling or incapable of pressing. He is the best we've got at running with the ball but it tends to be until he falls over his own feet.

[DonnyOsmond]

Hursty seems to me to be either unwilling or incapable of pressing. He is the best we've got at running with the ball but it tends to be until he falls over his own feet.

He was quality at pressing when playing as a #10 in pre-season last year, especially in the Hull game.

[ncRover]

Hursty seems to me to be either unwilling or incapable of pressing. He is the best we've got at running with the ball but it tends to be until he falls over his own feet.

He was quality at pressing when playing as a #10 in pre-season last year, especially in the Hull game.

He neshes the vast majority of physical encounters on the pitch. That’s another problem.

[Ryaldinhio]

Something I noticed on training video (either yesterday or monday) not one shot went past TLT, he saved everything. Then it cut to our Lawlor and the others and most went in.

Could have been intentional in the editing but was very noticeable how good TLT looks

[TheFunk]

Hursty seems to me to be either unwilling or incapable of pressing. He is the best we've got at running with the ball but it tends to be until he falls over his own feet.

He was quality at pressing when playing as a #10 in pre-season last year, especially in the Hull game.

He must have worn himself out because he never did it again after August. To be fair to him he was superb in the second half away at Bradford after looking like a competition winner in the first half.

[5minstogo]

Something I noticed on training video (either yesterday or monday) not one shot went past TLT, he saved everything. Then it cut to our Lawlor and the others and most went in.

Could have been intentional in the editing but was very noticeable how good TLT looks

He just look absolute class. The way he moves and reacts is so athletic and powerful. Hull must have some cracking goalkeepers if they aren't using Timmy.

[les@donr]

…or he is out of favour there.

[dknward2]

No updates from today thought they said they were doing a 11v11 game today maybe don't want to reveal to much or maybe just had a day off to enjoy themselves

[DonnyBazR0ver]

No updates from today thought they said they were doing a 11v11 game today maybe don't want to reveal to much or maybe just had a day off to enjoy themselves

There's yesterday's afternoon session to catch up with too.

[Alan Southstand]

Breakdown in communication? Or just a breakdown of equipment?

[donnyspadge]

McGrath seems to be walking around in trainers on one video and in the gym by himself. Maybe hes injured?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

https://youtu.be/OdU8awgjhbI?si=Rgb83NVRlvILy8cc

Afternoon session. A good watch. Players having fun and bonding.

You see the one touch session with Copps getting involved and I can't help thinking there can't be many better to encourage the players to play slick passing and express themselves on the pitch.

[Ryaldinhio]

From the clips I've seen, including the first day back bleep tests, Ben Close looks to have stepped up a bit. Looked to be leading bleep test and seems to look a bit quicker off the mark. Maybe a run of games has done him good.

In Grant I trust.

[Northants Nomad]

He was quality at pressing when playing as a #10 in pre-season last year, especially in the Hull game.

Yeah, and Lewis Guy was fantastic in training.

I always saw Hursty as lightweight and easy to knock off the ball. He was good running with it until someone with a decent physique gave him a nudge, so he could get you hopeful but lost it too often. Scored decent goals coming in late when people had no chance to knock him out of the way.  And his lack of all round effort was there for anyone to see. Talent without effort always devalues the former.

[Northants Nomad]

From the clips I've seen, including the first day back bleep tests, Ben Close looks to have stepped up a bit. Looked to be leading bleep test and seems to look a bit quicker off the mark. Maybe a run of games has done him good.

In Grant I trust.

More interested in whether he's learned to pass it forwards and move it at pace.

[graingrover]

https://www.fairplayresort.es/en/football/

[selby]

  Ryaldinhio, they split up into two groups the fast and slow, good on Close being not the slowest, but worrying for the ones behind him

[MachoMadness]

Latest interview with McCann says we're trying to find a loan for Hurst this season. Seems to have been on an odd journey with us. Starts in the first team, plays a decent number of games, falls out of favour, goes out on loan but signs a new contract, then goes out on loan again. Very mixed signals. 23 now so you would be hopeful he can find a loan at a decent level.

[ncRover]

Latest interview with McCann says we're trying to find a loan for Hurst this season. Seems to have been on an odd journey with us. Starts in the first team, plays a decent number of games, falls out of favour, goes out on loan but signs a new contract, then goes out on loan again. Very mixed signals. 23 now so you would be hopeful he can find a loan at a decent level.

Strange that he hasn’t been taken to Spain if a loan hasn’t been sorted.

[Usher wide.]

https://www.fairplayresort.es/en/football/

Looks very nice.

No views of the bar area though.

[TheFunk]

Sadly for Hursty he'll never be as good as he thinks he is or his parents tell him he is.

[Plumbster]

Agreed I think there is a minimum level of physical and mental strength to be a professional footballer and, whilst he clearly has ability, for me he doesn’t pass that test.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

https://youtu.be/W8X1Ji34Npk?si=N98i5UOebbw1gikJ

Final sessions seemed to be all based around our preferred shape and patterns of play. Getting the new boys integrated into the system. Gotts, Middleton, Ajayi and Hanlon showing us well. The latter looking a strong unit, difficult to knock off the ball.

I'm hoping the new additions will help us be a little more clinical in the final third and be better at set pieces. Of course, alot more difficult to judge defensively.

By contrast, watched the highlights of Bradfords first friendly yesterday, beating FC Utd of Manc 1-0 and, dear or dear, all they do is just lump it into the box at every opportunity. Yes, we know teams can be successful playing the physical game getting the ball into the danger areas and competing for the ball, not caring much about what goes on in the middle of the park, but it's horrible to watch.

[Alan Southstand]

As you well know, DBR, the manager will tell everyone it’s ’all about fitness’ and no one should take any notice of patterns of play and score lines!

However, did Bradford play any different last season? Maybe, for some games, but overall I think they relied on balls into the box or wizardry from Cook (whilst he was playing).

Compare and contrast the above with us:
GM has been fairly rigid in his choice of playing style, but we have seen formation changes and personnel changes to accommodate a different approach.

[Chris Black come back]

If Cook plays then they play to his strengths. If he doesn’t, then they play football.

[MachoMadness]

They looked much better without him last season. Fingers crossed he stays fit this year!

[drfchound]

They looked much better without him last season. Fingers crossed he stays fit this year!

Their results were much better without him but n the team.