Most liked posts in thread: Pre season friendlies

I do hope Guthrie makes some on here who'd written him off after 1 game eat their words.

 

So the only detail revealed by City about this secret friendly is that DMH injured his back in the warm-up, I hope we haven't breached the secret service act revealing this.

Seriously, cannot get my head around why the other club want to be so secretive, even after the match, very bizarre.

 

You need to get on YouTube, look up Bradford City V Everton league cup. Classic City cup night which often gets forgotten. Full house under the floodlights, Kop still a terrace, as was Bradford End (full of scousers). Leonard scores a header from 20 yards against Southall in his prime, unbelievable!!!
The mighty ginger god stuart returned to VP that night for Everton having signed that summer and unbelievably, the fat unfit tosser we bought to replace him, otherwise known as Ian Banks, along side party boy Leigh Palin absolutely bossed midfield in a “one night only” display, both scored along with Leonard in a 3-1 win. Your post made me google it and happy memories came flooding back.

 

Played some nice stuff at times so far. Better approach play than what we saw for pretty much all of last season. Some sloppiness at the back, but good pressing when we lose it. Better than I expected so far.

 

We are being hugely out played by 18 year olds here. The huge difference being pace.

 

First half. Thought we used the ball well and got players into good areas to create some chances. Guthrie looks so much more up to it and Cooke was better in a more advanced role. Still some worries defensively but it was good to see them at least try to play some passes and move with the ball despite Staunton's error - now is the time to get those out the system. Think there was enough shown in the first half to see why Stuart has been positive in his comments.

Second half showed that there should be a fair limitation to Stuart's positivity as we struggled with the pace, tempo and physicality of a largely U21 side. Cooke, Watt & Pritchard couldn't really get into the game and it highlighted the need for someone who can be a presence in the middle. We also quickly reverted to launching it forward and giving up possession.

Work to be done but good to be watching City again.

 

At a professional level (which I include Hudds academy) fitness levels are extremely high. Our training data might be 'through the roof' - I actually thought that showed in the first half with the high press we maintained. Second half though you come up against a new fit and fresh XI you are going to see that tiredness (which you would naturally expect) more clearly than if it was 90mins v 90 mins. Would be interesting to have played both those Hudds teams for 90 mins because I don't think we would have lost either game and probably got a win.

One thing that was also nice to see - McCall has clearly imposed a style on this group of players - high press forcing mistakes from the opposition and trying to play out of the back. Considering how little time he has had in what is a much shorter pre-season that was nice to see. Hopefully those last 3 years of not looking like we had a clue of how we are trying to play are gone.

Like I said before, bit of work needed and a couple of signings but I genuinely don't think we are that far off!

 

The type of player we've missed most in the last few seasons is a Josh Cullen. Not blessed with scoring goals but always seemed to be everywhere. Breaking up attacks, receiving the ball from defenders, switching play and taking the quick free kicks which didn't allow the opponents time to set up.

Find that general and we might have a chance.

The last few squads have also lacked leaders, especially at the back, which is probably why most of the team are looking at their boots when things go wrong, instead of dishing out constructive bollockings..

 

why? as a club we need all the money we can get, even if it's just a bonus payment from progressing through the first round of the league cup.. anything other than a strong XI with the aim to go through to the second round would be a failure of their duty - knockout matches should never be seen as a chance to just give people a game or a friendly.

 

Could get BRE’s partner to livestream?

 

If he carries on scoring for a couple more games, you'll probably let him go to a rival for nowt

 

To be fair to the guy who called the game, Commentating isn't actually his job. He did a good job that considered.

 

My main hope with the defence is it ends up being similar to the season of Vincelot and Knight-Percival, ideally we see so much of the ball that it leaves them with little to do other than 'clearing up' for the most part.

 

Looks like we might be able to see Huddersfield friendly on their YouTube page as they seem to suggest all their friendlies are going to be on YouTube https://www.htafc.com/news/2020/august/watch-southport-vs-town-on-youtube/

 

Very promising half. Created numerous good chances and generally defended well. Guthrie looking decent and Cooke is at the centre of everything. Nice to see we aren't scared of playing a championship club and are pressing high and having lots of the ball.

Town are shocking.

 

I commented on the first half and said I enjoyed it - Park you need to look at things that are actually happening rather than just posting the same message everytime. That was NOT Towns first team or a Championship team, they had virtually a whole team out injured or unavailable. We matched the team they had out in the first half but the 2nd half we were outplayed

 

Another of our perennial failings is allowing opposing midfielders to run at our central defenders who then back off and let them have a free shot. That cost us several goals last year and it was in evidence again this afternoon. I'm not alone in seeing this as others on here have seen it too. Why can't our coaching staff?

 

Yet we lose to a championship side in a friendly and everyone loses thier minds. Bolton lost 5-1 to wigan and lost 3-0 to crewe. No one is going to suggest they wont still crack on for promotion!!

 

Seems silly and a lack of initiative from both clubs involved not to stream it for £5, I’m sure enough City and Huddersfield fans would watch to make it worth while. Especially with how fragile finances are in football atm.