Blackpool friendly.

[Smyth]

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.

[sedwardsdrfc]

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

[ravenrover]

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

[5minstogo]

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.

[Jonathan]

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.

[Bentley Bullet]

I agree. Players respond when they know they are loved.

[Usher wide.]

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.

[Butchers Red]

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.

[GazLaz]

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.

[Filo]

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?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

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.

[StocksArmy]

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.

[Usher wide.]

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.

[BobG]

Mansfield?

BobG

[Alan Southstand]

Perm any one from:

Lincoln
Mansfield
Exeter

 

[Barmby Rover]

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!

[Usher wide.]

Mansfield?

BobG

Hooked & in the keep net.

[Usher wide.]

Perm any one from:

Lincoln
Mansfield
Exeter

 

Crikey they’re biting today!

[Alan Southstand]

Depends on the size of the worm!

 

[Usher wide.]

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?

[BobG]

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

[DonnyBazR0ver]

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.

[EasyforDennis]

Based on yesterdays display Gibson shouldn't be anywhere near the squad on Saturday.

[scawsby steve]

One or two "Whoosh" moments in this thread.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

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.

[Usher wide.]

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

[Usher wide.]

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.

[ravenrover]

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