Pre season games today

[scawsby steve]

So are we losing at HT? If so, how shit has it been?

[Scooter]

Scotty Maxfield making a comeback?!

Ha ha yeah. Obviously meant Maxwell. I blame the heat

[IDM]

It’s a practice match, nowt much to worry about..

[Scooter]

So are we losing at HT? If so, how shit has it been?

It’s not been shit. It’s been a good test although it is really really hot. Not really got our shooting boots on yet

Sam Straughan Brown is the man of the match so far

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Doesn't appear to be any live updates at all.

[Scooter]

1-1 Gibson. Won the ball on the right, played it to Bailey out wide who pulled it back. Gibson found the bottom right corner despite falling backwards

[jmt23]

Keep the updates coming please. I expect our main striker options played in the other match.

[Scooter]

Drinks break at the moment. Gibson doing well. Middleton has put a couple of excellent balls across the 6yard box just needing a tap in.
Playing better this half

[scawsby steve]

Thanks for these updates, Scooter. Much appreciated.

[Alan Southstand]

Gibson has had 6 chances and scored once!

Make that 8 chances!

[Scooter]

I’d say Gibson man of the match this half. At the drinks break him and Middleton have swopped sides.

[Scooter]

I also noticed that Sam Brown was subbed at the drinks break. Maybe Grant told them to take him off so he doesn’t score the winner!

[Chris Black come back]

Ended 1-1. Gibson scored.

[scawsby steve]

I know friendly results don't mean anything, and are just practice matches.

However, we've never seemed uncomfortable against lower placed non-league teams in the past. We've easily cruised by Stamford today, as you'd expect against a 7th tier team; but one of the teams at Alfreton, and today's team at Peterborough Sports, both scraped a draw.

Yes, one or two players missing, but not the most impressive of starts to the pre-season. Maybe the game against Gateshead, in the 5th tier will give us more idea. Plus the fact that it's just one team this time.

[Northants Nomad]

Not sure Sept to April will see the temps at 30-32c - I suspect there was quite a degree of ensuring health was a consideration. All about fitness and formations, not results. I believe someone said Gibbo had 8 chances - so creativity was not a problem.

[Chris Black come back]

From DFP.

Cliff Byrne on Molyneux: "He just had a little niggle, similar to the reason Jamie (Sterry) didn't play midweek at Alfreton. There's no need to take risks. It was just a small precaution. With the numbers we have, we didn't feel the need to take that risk."

[ncRover]

Not sure Sept to April will see the temps at 30-32c - I suspect there was quite a degree of ensuring health was a consideration. All about fitness and formations, not results. I believe someone said Gibbo had 8 chances - so creativity was not a problem.

He needs to get more clinical this season because he’s the only right footed winger once Hurst goes.

[jmt23]

I take this as Grant looking into  how does the team do should we lose our main striking options, can they score, can they create?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I think one of the main tasks is getting thr new boys integrated and so far, Ajayi  Hanlon and Middleton have shown up well in the attacking areas.

A bit more difficult to assess is the centre half pairings, particularly with McGrath being absent to date. 

Obviously we want to create a balanced team with us being just as strong with the players who finish the game as the ones who start plus, some options to change shape if we need to.

[CheeseToastie]

Think SSB could become a real player for us in the future wouldn't surprise me to see him pushing for the squad next season if he carries on kicking on definitely the strongest prospect on our books at the moment

[Alan Southstand]

Flint hasn’t done too bad and, of course, Faulkner has a very good loan at Harrogate to make his mark.

[selby]

  Flint is a good player, one of those that goes unnoticed by the avarage fan as he is not the spectacular kind, but does the simple thing quickly and his positioning is good.
  You come away from matches if you take particular notice of his play thinking well he did little wrong and a lot right.
  Faulkner is a very good defender who needs regular games. Both are fitness fanatics and have the attitude to succeed and better still are great lads.

[selby]

With regards to the friendlies the performances of the two National North sides against us Alfreton and Peterborough Sports who were both mid table sides last season shows a healthy standard of football in the non league sector.
  Alfreton are part time and I think Peterborough Sports are as well and are certainly two sides with not the largest budgets in the division.
  As Scunthorpe found out last season it is not the easiest division in the world to get promotion from and is very competitive with sides built around different styles of play and managers who are adept at  acquiring players to fit those styles of play.

[Barmby Rover]

Not sure Sept to April will see the temps at 30-32c - I suspect there was quite a degree of ensuring health was a consideration. All about fitness and formations, not results. I believe someone said Gibbo had 8 chances - so creativity was not a problem.

He needs to get more clinical this season because he’s the only right footed winger once Hurst goes.

Isn't Middleton right footed? If so his pace in the team is not guaranteed.

[ravenrover]

Does having a right foot slow you down? :-]]

[StocksArmy]

How did Pearson do yesterday? Was critical of him on Tuesday, wondering if there was any improvement. Also how did Gotts do?

[EasyforDennis]

Does having a right foot slow you down? :-]]

Only if you don't have a left one. 

[DonnyBazR0ver]

How did Pearson do yesterday? Was critical of him on Tuesday, wondering if there was any improvement. Also how did Gotts do?

Yes, it would be nice to hear more about the new players from those who have seen them in the flesh.

[Scooter]

How did Pearson do yesterday? Was critical of him on Tuesday, wondering if there was any improvement. Also how did Gotts do?

Pearson does seem to have the leadership qualities as he was vocal and talking others through the game
However Peterborough Sports have 2 or 3 penalty appeals and I’m sure they were mainly against Pearson
I get the sense he will give a few away

[jmt23]

Surprised to see no signs of any trialists so far, most teams have a few in the pre season.