Pre-season

[Freddie Creweger]

I enjoyed the first 60 minutes and the team looked very fresh and willing against a much better stoke team, although we certainly managed to contain them well such that they really struggled to get through us. We created as many chances as they did, by counter attacking in numbers. HOWEVER, on another day if stoke played the same way i'm sure they would over power us.
The last 30 minutes was interesting in that it proved how totally inadequate the back up squad is, literally men against boys. If we have a number of injuries during the season then the team will really struggle. South cheshire must put their young men on starvation diets to produce so many small fragile individuals. They did well to keep the score respectable, but if the stoke first team was kept on it could have been a hatfull. injuries apart, we definitely need more recruits.

Having said that I thought the new signings performed really well, especially for me knight-lebel and sanders, hemmings controlled the ball well but had a difficult night and had to battle in a counter attacking formation, Not sure he has alot of goals in him. We might not miss those players who have left and could go on to have a reasonable season again with additional recruits (Men not boys).

[ShropshireAlex]

I enjoyed the first 60 minutes and the team looked very fresh and willing against a much better stoke team, although we certainly managed to contain them well such that they really struggled to get through us. We created as many chances as they did, by counter attacking in numbers. HOWEVER, on another day if stoke played the same way i'm sure they would over power us.
The last 30 minutes was interesting in that it proved how totally inadequate the back up squad is, literally men against boys. If we have a number of injuries during the season then the team will really struggle. South cheshire must put their young men on starvation diets to produce so many small fragile individuals. They did well to keep the score respectable, but if the stoke first team was kept on it could have been a hatfull. injuries apart, we definitely need more recruits.

Having said that I thought the new signings performed really well, especially for me knight-lebel and sanders, hemmings controlled the ball well but had a difficult night and had to battle in a counter attacking formation, Not sure he has alot of goals in him. We might not miss those players who have left and could go on to have a reasonable season again with additional recruits (Men not boys).

Don't forget we were short of people for the squad too - Long, Tabiner, Bogle, Finney, Powell - who we will hope to have in place for the season, as well as the extra signings LB wants. There were a couple from the U-18s on the pitch to allow us to make all those changes. I thought Stoke were actually stronger after some of the changes, not second choice players at all, particularly Laurent and Vidigal.

[Gobstopper]

I enjoyed the first 60 minutes and the team looked very fresh and willing against a much better stoke team, although we certainly managed to contain them well such that they really struggled to get through us. We created as many chances as they did, by counter attacking in numbers. HOWEVER, on another day if stoke played the same way i'm sure they would over power us.
The last 30 minutes was interesting in that it proved how totally inadequate the back up squad is, literally men against boys. If we have a number of injuries during the season then the team will really struggle. South cheshire must put their young men on starvation diets to produce so many small fragile individuals. They did well to keep the score respectable, but if the stoke first team was kept on it could have been a hatfull. injuries apart, we definitely need more recruits.

Having said that I thought the new signings performed really well, especially for me knight-lebel and sanders, hemmings controlled the ball well but had a difficult night and had to battle in a counter attacking formation, Not sure he has alot of goals in him. We might not miss those players who have left and could go on to have a reasonable season again with additional recruits (Men not boys).

I generally agree with most of that on a more positive note though we do have a couple of players who didn't play last night in Powell ( who we probably won't see pre-season), Tabiner and Long, not sure where Bogle is, but we do have players to come back, with a couple of additions I think we will be in good shape for the coming season, time will tell if we are a top 7 team. The LB spot is still an area of concern.

[ShropshireAlex]

Bogle hurt his back 10 minutes after coming on at Stafford last week, obviously not yet to be risked.

[gazan]

Did "Billy" play on Tuesday? If 17 was a triallist, what number was the other one (not 19)?

[ShropshireAlex]

Did "Billy" play on Tuesday? If 17 was a triallist, what number was the other one (not 19)?

That would be the second 17, like the second 19? 15 I think, with 17 the forward. Didn't see anyone who looked like the midfield triallist of last week.

[Wartman]

I think if the pre season has told us anything defensively we are crap GK does not look that good Loan CH looks well below what we need Cooney has always been well below average but not as below average as Zac Williams who reminds me of George Ray or Harry Davies just without any legs truly a dreadful player. Exp CH and FB an absolute must before season kick off Williams and Cooney can be listed for loan with a view to leaving on a free transfer neither would be missed

[whosbrianwilson]

Or......from a positive point of view...Tom Booth has developed another year and looks well good enough for this level. Billo is obviously the first choice RB and Cooney is the fall back. Charlie Finney is the long term plan for LB and the meantime Zac covers the left side of the back four. Knight-Lebel is learning the trade and will be fine. We do, however, need a back up CH in case of injuries

[gazan]

Bit of a narrow victory against Rylands. I wasn't ready to agree with Wartman's assessment of the defence but yesterday's result doesn't inspire. Did anybody go to provide us with some context to the score?

[LordK]

Any video of the last game. Really need to see the defence, over full game, no highilights. Ageee that Lunt should be FB, but think we also need MF duties out of him. Blackpool, hopefully a decent test with good side brought to Mornflake. Hopefully Longy, not just 1 and out. Thoughts on the first 2 x months games, where will we be by 1st Oct?