City V Wigan

You're a pessimist.

 

It’s bog standard for pre season friendlies get every one game time and match fit, looks like the second string aren’t quite getting the hammering either.

 

Oh Christ Ronnie it's a friendly.

I'm pleased with how the team seems to be gelling together. Feels like last season's outcasts are really putting in an effort too. I'm not saying this is the squad I'd choose if I had all the options but it feels like GB has got them heading in the right direction AND together. Couple of wins in the first few games and we could get on a good run.

 

Where was Gibson playing? Sounded like he had another good game.

 

A lot of Parker's comments on his blog sounded positive. Hard to tell if he was being overly optimistic but if not it sounds like things are heading in the right direction this season.

 

Wasn't there but another clean sheet for Hornby surely ROD can't be starting any more games

 

Everyone makes mistakes and under Edin they'd have doubled down on it and not changed at all based on fan feedback.

I'm really pleased with pre season so far, as much I've slated last season's idiots I really hope they prove me wrong as a lot of them came with good pedigree. I think Bowyer would agree with you in terms of the squad as he's said in a few different interviews how managers need more than one window to get everything the way they like it. Having said that as you say they look to be gelling well and I feel we've got enough to make a strong start to the season. We're one or two players off where we need to be but we've enough in the squad to make do until we find the right people imo. And who knows, Akpan might even show a bit of fight eventually!

 

1 each then. Await the after match opinions but certainly better than getting twatted by Harrogate!

 

Only pre season game we lost was Liverpool and even then I felt the scoreline wasn't a true reflection of the game in terms of the number and quality of chances created. Not gonna gomp too much but I'm actually looking forward to watching this team play.

 

I wonder what Ronnie's cooking for tea tonight.

 

Night and day, mate, couldn't be more different, could it?

Edin really was a one-man catastrophe capable of turning a promotion chasing side into the worst in the EFL.

Now he's gone, hopes for success are building right back up again.

One man.

Absolutely incredible.

 

Mortgage is on something potato based - Saturday night, Shepherds pie night?

 

I'm going pork chops (fried not grilled) with sautéed potato fried in the pork pan. Corn on the cob with butter. Choc ice for pudding.

 

Sounds cracking actually.

 

*facepalm*

 

Sounds a lot of effort

 

Whatever it is, i'm guessing it's low in cholestral

 

Ronnie has the time and the patience to make any meal special.

 

For what it's worth, the team that played for an hour did well. No real poor performances though I still think the positions we need to strengthen are those held by Akpan and Gibson.

BRE adds much needed presence and aggression at the back and AOC looked more comfortable next to him. Both full backs were fine and Mellor did well for our goal.

Palmer is tidy, uses the ball well and I think he'll be an asset. Scannell had their full back on toast - keep him fit and there wont be a better right winger in League 2. The front 2 were quality, they could be a real partnership. Gibson drifted in and out, though he had a 10 min spell before he went off where he looked good.

After the subs, I thought Henley did well. French looked very assured. Wood is never a left winger but put 2 quality crosses in. Doyle was poor really and the young lad up front worked hard but didn't look to add much. Devine did well. The black lad in midfield on trial was way out of his depth. Nortey did ok in patches but there isnt enough there to make it worty taking him on.

All in all I thought the signs were very encouraging. Good fitness, much more balance about us and we played some nice stuff at times.

We gave a soft goal away but overall I think Bowyer will be pleased.

Oh and the ref was sh*t.

 

Amazing to see how much damage he did entirely on his own. Last season feels like a different universe at the moment, actually happy to be a city fan again!