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Post by localboy86 on Jul 27, 2018 8:32:23 GMT
Tomorrow’s lunchtime game against Norwichs’ kids marks our final game of a largely low-key and disrupted pre-season schedule (a spate of injuries, kick-off changes, a red card and postponements)
I hope some of the injuries in the camp have now cleared up and everyone playing tomorrow can get through this game without any problems ahead of next weekends big kick-off.
Who’s going to this one?
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Post by Amber Aleman on Jul 27, 2018 16:18:16 GMT
Not me. Really can't get motivated for this one. Roll on Harrogate!
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dof
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,116 
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Post by dof on Jul 27, 2018 18:04:55 GMT
No I broke the promise I made to myself not to attend friendlies by going last week, that match just convinced me why I made that promise. Looking forward to the real stuff. Its going to be a very interesting season. So many clubs striving to get out!!
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Post by Del on Jul 27, 2018 18:12:01 GMT
Not me either.Having watched the non event against Chelsea its difficult to get motivated. Roll on Harrogate !
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Post by Stewart on Jul 27, 2018 21:14:00 GMT
As a Sutton fan I will be there supporting my side.
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Post by brisfitboy on Jul 27, 2018 21:37:47 GMT
Me too
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Post by colinf on Jul 27, 2018 22:00:03 GMT
I'll be there too.
But I did miss the Chelsea circus.
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trev
1st team skipper
In Matt We Trust
Posts: 2,477
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Post by trev on Jul 28, 2018 0:05:55 GMT
Go on then. With any luck I might even remember I have a season ticket and dont need to pay on the turnstile as I've done for every pre season friendly so far...
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tonyd
1st team Player
Posts: 1,496
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Post by tonyd on Jul 28, 2018 10:36:19 GMT
Not me cos Ive only just woken up.  |
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Post by brisfitboy on Jul 28, 2018 13:36:13 GMT
Not me cos Ive only just woken up. You missed an entertaining game. |
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trev
1st team skipper
In Matt We Trust
Posts: 2,477
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Post by trev on Jul 28, 2018 14:13:24 GMT
As brisfitboy says, an entertaining game today, with several hatfuls of goalscoring opportunities for both sides and free-flowing attacking football in abundance.
We started out with what looked like a 4-2-3-1 formation and pretty much held that shape for the rest of the game, with Davis and Eastmond in defensive midfield roles, Taylor, Beautyman and Bolarinwa as attacking midfielders and Tommy Wright in the lone striker position upfront, with a starting back four of Thomas, Beckwith, Collins and Bennett, and a new face in goal, Charlie Burns, who I gather is currently plying his trade at Grays Athletic, although he has some football league experience. With his lithe, beanpole frame, he's definitely taller than Butler, who didn't feature today, and made a couple of reflex saves which kept us in this contest. Apart from a moment early in the first half where he came rushing out of his box and failed to deal with a clearance, only to see the Canaries blaze over the open goal, I didn't think he put a foot wrong all game. Not sure if he'll feature for us again this season, but overall I was impressed with what I saw from him.
Our other debutant appeared in the second half, Irish striker Aaron Drinan who came on as a sub for Tommy Wright, similar age and build to Tommy, played a high line, pressured the opposition well and should arguably have converted his chance when clear on goal, only for his first touch to let him down. I suspect he may be unfamiliar with our playing surface, as he looked lively throughout the second half. He's currently on the books at Ipswich Town, so may be a potential loan option in the coming fixture-laden season...
The scoring was opened early in the first half following a deft through ball which beat the offside trap allowing Josh Taylor to burst into the penalty area on the left. His neat finish drilled the ball under the diving keeper for a well deserved lead. Taylor was man of the match for me, the quality of his dribbling, his quickness and overall match fitness made him our stand out player, although I thought all our attacking midfielders were worthy of praise, and central defenders Collins and Beckwith were sharp throughout the match as well. Bailey was also impressive when he came on in the second half, with his accurate, one touch passing really opening things up for us on the counter.
That's not to say that the Canaries, playing in their third choice colour-blind Peruvian kit (green and yellow diagonal stripe on a white background, in case you were wondering) didn't have their opportunities, but a combination of robust defending, agile goalkeeping and horrendous finishing from their number 9 ensured our clean sheet.
Overall, I was impressed with our energy levels, the way in which we kept our shape throughout the match which struck a good balance between defensive duties and attacking football, and there were no obvious weaknesses, although Kenny Davis was somewhat lacking in match fitness and a significant number of his passes seemed to go astray, other than that we look more than ready for our opening league fixture away to Harrogate next Saturday.
There was plenty to applaud about today's performance against league opposition, my only regret is that there weren't more people to bear witness to it. Although a midday kickoff arguably didn't help matters, I would have expected significantly higher numbers for our final pre-season friendly.
To end on a final positive, there were plenty of people leaning on the barriers throughout the game which the passing stewards did not object to, so it appears, I hope, that the previous health and safety shenanigans have now been resolved in the club's favour (please correct me someone if I am wrong on this).
Roll on next Saturday!
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Post by Stewart on Jul 28, 2018 14:19:41 GMT
Not me cos Ive only just woken up. Reliving your teenage days Tony? |
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Post by davef on Jul 28, 2018 15:06:04 GMT
Sorry Trev, no change yet. We are working on it, hopefully, in time for the Eastleigh game but we were able to risk assess the game today based on the expected low attendance.
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markf
Top Performer
Posts: 3,324
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Post by markf on Jul 28, 2018 15:10:07 GMT
As said already, entertaining fare today on a blustery but mercifully relatively cool early afternoon.
Both sides had good chances but ultimately it was Josh Taylor's fine left footed strike after a good interchange of passes that separated the sides.
One fine move including a brilliant turn by Timmy W set up Harry B but he shot too close to the 'keeper.
Second half U's played into the wind and as the inevitable changes took place, Norwich began to ask more questions. They missed an absolute sitter after a poor clearance by Burns; the striker's weak effort appeared to be dragged onto the post before it was cleared.
Burns made one brilliant save before the break and another two good stops in the second.
He and trialist Aaron Drinan were two new faces. Not sure Drinan is similar to TW; looked a lot taller.
Both Jamie B and Charlie missing carrying knocks apparently.
As for the fence, the rule was relaxed today because of the low numbers expected (320 i believe).
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Post by brisfitboy on Jul 28, 2018 15:58:23 GMT
As brisfitboy says, an entertaining game today, with several hatfuls of goalscoring opportunities for both sides and free-flowing attacking football in abundance. We started out with what looked like a 4-2-3-1 formation and pretty much held that shape for the rest of the game, with Davis and Eastmond in defensive midfield roles, Taylor, Beautyman and Bolarinwa as attacking midfielders and Tommy Wright in the lone striker position upfront, with a starting back four of Thomas, Beckwith, Collins and Bennett, and a new face in goal, Charlie Burns, who I gather is currently plying his trade at Grays Athletic, although he has some football league experience. With his lithe, beanpole frame, he's definitely taller than Butler, who didn't feature today, and made a couple of reflex saves which kept us in this contest. Apart from a moment early in the first half where he came rushing out of his box and failed to deal with a clearance, only to see the Canaries blaze over the open goal, I didn't think he put a foot wrong all game. Not sure if he'll feature for us again this season, but overall I was impressed with what I saw from him. Our other debutant appeared in the second half, Irish striker Aaron Drinan who came on as a sub for Tommy Wright, similar age and build to Tommy, played a high line, pressured the opposition well and should arguably have converted his chance when clear on goal, only for his first touch to let him down. I suspect he may be unfamiliar with our playing surface, as he looked lively throughout the second half. He's currently on the books at Ipswich Town, so may be a potential loan option in the coming fixture-laden season... The scoring was opened early in the first half following a deft through ball which beat the offside trap allowing Josh Taylor to burst into the penalty area on the left. His neat finish drilled the ball under the diving keeper for a well deserved lead. Taylor was man of the match for me, the quality of his dribbling, his quickness and overall match fitness made him our stand out player, although I thought all our attacking midfielders were worthy of praise, and central defenders Collins and Beckwith were sharp throughout the match as well. Bailey was also impressive when he came on in the second half, with his accurate, one touch passing really opening things up for us on the counter. That's not to say that the Canaries, playing in their third choice colour-blind Peruvian kit (green and yellow diagonal stripe on a white background, in case you were wondering) didn't have their opportunities, but a combination of robust defending, agile goalkeeping and horrendous finishing from their number 9 ensured our clean sheet. Overall, I was impressed with our energy levels, the way in which we kept our shape throughout the match which struck a good balance between defensive duties and attacking football, and there were no obvious weaknesses, although Kenny Davis was somewhat lacking in match fitness and a significant number of his passes seemed to go astray, other than that we look more than ready for our opening league fixture away to Harrogate next Saturday. There was plenty to applaud about today's performance against league opposition, my only regret is that there weren't more people to bear witness to it. Although a midday kickoff arguably didn't help matters, I would have expected significantly higher numbers for our final pre-season friendly. To end on a final positive, there were plenty of people leaning on the barriers throughout the game which the passing stewards did not object to, so it appears, I hope, that the previous health and safety shenanigans have now been resolved in the club's favour (please correct me someone if I am wrong on this). Roll on next Saturday! Absolutely spot on and a most comprehensive report and the only addition to this I would say would be a mention of the wind 💨, it seemed to be stronger in the second half as Charlie Burns goal kicks went up in the air, stopped and dropped straight down, also it seemed that some of Norwich City’s passes were over hit at times due to the wind. As trev says “Roll on next Saturday”👍⚽️👏 |
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