Pre-season

[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.

[gazan]

So Turton gone to Salford??? Have we been giving free warm ups in pre-season for players going to rival clubs, not to mention the idea of having an inside view for a team we play in only 11 days time! Who is Moult going to sign for??

[gazan]

As expected, Stoke provided the first real test of the pre-season. One report refers to a gulf in class but that's a mater of respective. Stoke certainly buzzed around in midfield and at times the Alex couldn't get the ball. However, end products from this midfield dominance were rare and the two goals conceded were defensive errors. When Crewe had the ball going forward they looked quite good and I don't think this is an area of concern (albeit when Jack and Shilow are back plus a couple of signings). It's at the back /without the ball that there's more worry. I'm still not convinced by Connolly and both Hutchinson and Billington got caught out overcommitting a few times. Having said that they both performed well going forward, particularly Billington.
Good performance again by Sanders. March is a defence botherer and will do well. O'Reilly showed good feet. Lunt also got stuck in - it was the kind of game he enjoys.
Have to confess, I thought Booth was Waller all through the game. Has he bulked up for this season?
Still need more experience to add while we wait for Lankester and Tracey to return. There were a couple of others missing ( a striker and CH) but they were not missed ....at all! 😉

[gazan]

Well that was a bit flat. Southport bossed the first half with good brisk movement. It also demonstrated that the Alex still lack depth.
Stan Dancey was the pick of the first half. Croker was okay. Roberts had plenty of the ball but never seemed to do anything with it. Not going to make it for me. Moult barely received the ball. Connolly continued to underwhelm as did Finney. Hodkin played wide to accommodate Tezgel up front but neither made any impact.
Lunt got clattered a few times and didn't show for the 2nd half. The bit of brightness was Thibaut showing Roberts how to 'develop'.
This was the most negative of styles in this pre-season (except for last 15 minutes). Hopefully it was shown up as not worth employing.

[gazan]

Oh forgot. O'Reilly was a bright spot too.

[Gobstopper]

So Turton gone to Salford??? Have we been giving free warm ups in pre-season for players going to rival clubs, not to mention the idea of having an inside view for a team we play in only 11 days time! Who is Moult going to sign for??

Losing out on Turton is disappointing I thought he was a cert and leaves a question mark over Moult. I think our recruitment has gone a bit awry as we are definately short on numbers. Our two leading forwards are going to miss start of season Lankester until September and Tracey until sone time next year so a lot will be expected of Marsh Thibault and Roberts. No doubt a couple of loan signings are on there way but we will be about 3 players short and we have not yet resolved all issues with the likes of Williams. An interesting couple of weeks awaits as to who we bring in.