Pre-season

[Wartman]

One point perhaps of note when things seem to be going slowly is that our released players don?t seem to have new clubs yet and they?re free agents, although they won?t be top of lists anyway perhaps.

And not very good that’s the main problem

[Wartman]

That Messi's a bit crap too!

At least Messi had ability Tom Lowery however ……

[Wartman]

Another desperately uninspiring signing the club are certainly doing their best to send us down to the non league woeful

[ShropshireAlex]

And not very good that?s the main problem

Well in Chris Long's case he is quite good, but clearly no-one's willing (yet?) to repeat our risk on his fitness. Hemmings and Cooney will probably end up somewhere, Morecambe again maybe for Cooney if they don't go into administration.

[gazan]

Moult scores his 2nd and 3rd as the Alex win 5-0. That's Moults 3rd appearance so surely they can't be wasting each others time. Turton also put in another 30 minutes.

[ShropshireAlex]

Moult scores his 2nd and 3rd as the Alex win 5-0. That's Moults 3rd appearance so surely they can't be wasting each others time. Turton also put in another 30 minutes.

Depending on shifting Bogle off the payroll perhaps?

[gazan]

This was my first viewing of the squad this season. I was impressed with the aggressive pressing in the first 30 minutes. The Alex could have been 3 up very quickly. However, that's definitely a positive change from last season when they hardly created anything.
March looks promising, sharp, aggressive and a willing runner. Moult also looks useful. Some will say that we can't judge because of the opposition. But you can only play against what you're facing. The point being that bothered showed they knew what was needed and both were mobile. Let's hope Bogle moves on.
Unfortunately for the 2nd half, LB changed tactics and for half an hour Williams and Connolly played their own private game of passey passey across the back.
Finally in the last 15 minutes, play was switched to use Roberts' pace and ball skills and the Alex looked more positive.

[toadpole]

Really rate Roberts, tho he's not yet the fin ....

[gazan]

What to take from last night's 5-1 win over Radcliffe. Well, the biggest conclusion to draw is the lack of depth. The youngsters huffed and puffed but we're the inferior side in the first half. Radcliffe missed a couple of really good chances and the Alex were restricted to half chances. The new guys started and unfortunately I was not very impressed. The Villa lad was easily managed by McFadzean and Hutchinson had a tough time. Waller redeemed himself with a fine stop after earlier mistakes while playing out.
In the 2nd half, at least after 60 minutes, it all changed as both teams replaced most of their team. The Alex with what I assume was something approaching the 1st XI whilst the opposition seemed to switch the other way. It was then mainly one way traffic as the gap in skills showed.
So the back up team seems, collectively to be National League North level. How they'd play as individuals alongside regular first teams is a different matter. Clearly once Lankester returns things will be better but clearly we haven't got enough new quality in. The exception is March. Interestingly no Turton or Moult on trial last night. The sooner Bogle and Williams (the latter in the stands at the game) move on the better it would seem.

[Wartman]

I imagine Lankester will be missing until some time in September. He probably won't be 'contact training' for a few weeks.
He did reference playing the same players on Tuesday as "they're the only players he's got". If he was being literal then we have to assume all the players we mentioned are injured/unavailable.
Does anyone know if Dancey and Billington swapped roles at any stage. I really hope that Billington is not being considered as only a right back. How was Dancey, by the way?
To my mind Kidsgrove and Newcastle Town should be considered one level below the lowest point where our development/FYP players may end up on loan this season.

Recruitment has been dire so far and clearly shows the club financially is in trouble, can?t see anybody being interested in rank average players like Williams and Bogle I hope I?m wrong, non league players and kids is not going to cut the mustard and we are going to have a real struggle to stay in the league we don?t have any money so I can?t see the 6 or 7 signings we still need happening. Sadly I think we are watching the beginning of the end for the club.

[LordK]

The loaners, starting to arrive, possibly 2-3 more. But the 1st team pool maybe 18-20 by then, which leaves 5-6 slots by academy players. Historically we have 4-6 long term injuries by Xmas. That means the younger not filling in odd slots, but needed weekly as necessity. It's probably an OKstart over the first 3 x months, then injuries and the dreaded January window. I must look if loaners are 1/2 or full season, Hope the latter. See the keeper in for 2 x years, so Burnley looking to have him back for Championship back up after relegation and losing its 1st choice keeper. Let's see how Stoke and Birmingham go, that gives a better picture. Our start to new season is relatively tough, but so is the whole league this year.

[gazan]

A pleasant afternoon at Gresty Road. I know it wasn't a full strength Brummie XI but you play against what you are given. They had Alfie May and Beadle but I didn't look too carefully at their line-up. We also played a lot of youngsters but mainly from 60+ minutes.
March is definitely a good signing. Youngsters who catch the eye include Armstrong, Moore and Dancey. Hodkin played a better game.
Sanders played the role he showed last game of the season and looks really good. Let's hope LB gives him opportunities this time.
O'Reilly had his moments until taken out with an agricultural challenge. Let's hope it's only a contact injury. He had to be assisted off by two members of staff as his knee seemed to be ballooning up.
Despite LB's expectations/plans, the opposition did not have most of the possession and, in fact, hardly put any pressure on the defence. Booth had one save to make and Mickey made a triple block. So we'll have to wait for Wednesday to see our defence holds up.
Everyone knows you shouldn't build your hopes up on the basis of pre-season friendlies but today a little chink in my pessimist's armour appeared.
Hopefully we can avoid anymore long term injuries.

[ShropshireAlex]

I agree, Brum never really challenged us - not sure how many minutes their players got last season, but even the subs seemed mostly senior players not kids, unlike ours, and we easily played out the last 25 minutes even without Moore's last minute goal. Of course their season kicks off a week after ours, maybe that bit behind us in preparation?

[gazan]

Also, no sign of Williams. Are the club trying to force his hand?
Likewise Bogle as rumour seems to be going into overdrive. Gossip that would suggest breach of contract plus counter-gossip that puts the club in a difficult position re: duty of care. It's difficult, I know, but clarity would end the speculation.

[ShropshireAlex]

Most players (except Finney 14 and Billington 2, both vacant numbers - O'Reilly was 7) wore last season's squad numbers, except March had Bogle's 9 and Powell the No 4 shirt. Maybe Bogle's "team" are insisting no comments on whatever his problem is? Williams, I'm sure they're trying to play hardball - with him or a new club if he really has one.