Was at the game today...

[usedtobeshearer]

Was handed a ticket and told to take me da.

Here are my observations.

Defence was pretty solid. Schar and Fernandez both made a few mistakes but generally made good tackles to rectify the situation.

There was no width until around the 70th minute. Aarons ran around but was useless. Manquillo was often in space and nobody would pass to him.
Everything came through the middle via Schar and Shelvey and ocasionally Longstaff. All three made some very impressive passes. Shelvey also impressed with his defending.

Almiron ran his arse off and was great at beating his man, but he's too desperate to score so a couple of times he was too selfish and his best chance, 1 v1 he bottled it.

Big Joe did very little, a few class touches. But scored again.

Things got a lot more exciting and we used the flanks more when Maximin and Willems came on. They can both beat a defender with or without the ball, great turn of pace.

Excellent tackling and passing from Jetro. They combined to set up young Matty for the second goal.

Saint-Maximin had everybody on their feet. Constantly running (forward, presses but doesn't track back.) Great dribbler, good range of passing, he's a unit too, won't get pushed of the ball easy. He really stood out.

Hayden was poor. Strolled around the pitch and offered nothing offensively or defensively. At the end he did a lap of honour alone...is he leaving? I hope not.

Young Matty Longstaff scored a great goal.

Think they are the important points. Of course this is just my opinion from one match and from one angle. Just thought I would share.

[toonfalifekevbrown]

Almiron to me is always trying to score that spectacular goal a little bit like Laurent Robert or Ben arfa
If we get a penna let him take it and it will take the pressure off him

[usedtobeshearer]

Few things to add..

Muto was very lively when he came on. Good link up play and ran the channels well. Could of had a goal with a little luck.

Still worried about goals for the season. Think we need to play Miggy, Big Joe and The Saint, which I think will be exciting to watch but there is no guarantee off goals.

Of course that means we need to drop a midfielder or CB. Will be interesting to see what Bruce does.

[usedtobeshearer]

Almiron to me is always trying to score that spectacular goal a little bit like Laurent Robert or Ben arfa
If we get a penna let him take it and it will take the pressure off him

He shot from tight angles instead of squaring it a couple of times. You are right, he needs the first goal to settle his nerves.

[toonfalifekevbrown]

Almiron looks fast and all that but I don't think he is a team player imo
He might change if he gets that first goal

[toonlegend]

first time in years haven't been to any preseason, and wont be there next sunday either.

i really do not understand how people can slag ashley off then - buy shirts etc from his shop, buy beer and food in the ground

pay for extra tickets etc - when half the time they are just interested in getting pie eyed and miss half the match anyway - i could name quite a few like that.

[Geordie_Jacko]

Almiron to me is always trying to score that spectacular goal a little bit like Laurent Robert or Ben arfa
If we get a penna let him take it and it will take the pressure off him

They tried that in the Preston friendly and he had it saved lol.