Burton

[gazan]

Well, that was interesting! As much for what we didn't see as what we did. No Offord, no Thomas, no Williams and no Nevitt. Everybody else got a run-out including 2 triallists.
New boys: Davies was slow getting down to Burton's first but both goals were down to disarray in defence. Tracy has got speed but less control and didn't seem to capitalise on his main asset. Powell looks useful and can definitely take a dead ball. Cooney....hmmmm! Not convinced. Seemed less than fit and off the pace.
Until Finney went off (injured again) Adebisi was having a stormer but then was less effective at LB.
2 CHs were competent but need that commanding presence that Concrete Rod offered last year.
Tabiner looks the part, Colkett less so. Long looks an accomplished player but was taken off before he could be injured and CBR was himself letting opposition CHs know he was there.
Then the changes started. Holicek shone brightly before the bulk of changes moved his position. In the final 20 mins as the youngsters played keepball Lunt looked useful. However Evans is not going to make it if played as a lone striker. Too easily knocked off the ball.

[ShropshireAlex]

Well, that was interesting! As much for what we didn't see as what we did. No Offord, no Thomas, no Williams and no Nevitt. Everybody else got a run-out including 2 triallists.
New boys: Davies was slow getting down to Burton's first but both goals were down to disarray in defence. Tracy has got speed but less control and didn't seem to capitalise on his main asset. Powell looks useful and can definitely take a dead ball. Cooney....hmmmm! Not convinced. Seemed less than fit and off the pace.
Until Finney went off (injured again) Adebisi was having a stormer but then was less effective at LB.
2 CHs were competent but need that commanding presence that Concrete Rod offered last year.
Tabiner looks the part, Colkett less so. Long looks an accomplished player but was taken off before he could be injured and CBR was himself letting opposition CHs know he was there.
Then the changes started. Holicek shone brightly before the bulk of changes moved his position. In the final 20 mins as the youngsters played keepball Lunt looked useful. However Evans is not going to make it if played as a lone striker. Too easily knocked off the ball.

Yes, how 11 subs, most 1st or 2nd year pros, stopped 9 of Burton's starters from scoring for 25 minutes was a puzzle. Looked like we wanted no-one to play much more than an hour, Maamria wanted most to get a first 90 in their legs. Maybe LB was keen to see how the youngsters could cope uner pressure, though I hope they won't have all to play together again!

Started with a very young defence, ended with a slightly older one with BSD and Cooney (who did look to be carrying quite a bit of timber) on. Nevitt did get an hour on Tuesday of course, having come on early, and Williams a half, but no sign of Offord since last weekend and LB said no injuries the other night - might be on the move? Thomas he said was on a different timeline to be ready for the start of the season so maybe came back with something he needs to work off? Powell can clearly play, Tracey is lively but probably (as his record suggests) not going to be a major goal threat.

[ShropshireAlex]

Offord and Williams ankle knocks - could have played LB says, Nevitt similar, Thomas on schedule to appear in the coming week, Finney may need an operation .... Demetriou can't be close from what LB said.