Pre season friendlies

Didn't see the game but from the comments I've read, it sounds like we did reasonably ok in the first half, not so great in the second. It is concerning to read a fair few comments about the lack of fitness on show, particularly after the comments from McCall that the fitness data from the practice matches they played on Saturday was 'through the roof'. It does make you wonder what data they are actually using and whether they are interpreting it correctly.

 

The apparent lack of fitness stood out for me too. We looked absolutely shattered by halftime and really struggled in the second half. This despite Stuart saying that their fitness stats were going through the roof, or something like that. Nevertheless I thought we looked quite threatening for the first 20 minutes, after which all our old failings were evident in spades. We're nowhere near a competitive team, either in personnel or fitness. But it was only a pre-season game and they usually mean nothing.

 

Never read much into friendlies, hopefully a good runaround and go from there. From what I saw in the limited view first half it was OK.

still doesn’t change the fact our squad is lacking strength in depth and a Vaughan replacement.

 

Young and talented they may be but that doesn’t detract from how woefully off the pace we were in the second half

 

Unless we are flogging them to death at the minute and hopefully easing it down As the season gets nearer? But I do agree we looked wiped out there come 60 minutes

 

They had a strong team first half and we shaded it

 

We did ok first half and it was pretty enjoyable but second half we were outplayed and outpaced by the Town youngsters - they have quite a crop of players there to be excited about. We just had nothing different and our team looks very one paced (medium slow) As for stats and data, of course its all only relevant to what you are comparing it against!
But it was good to see a City game again after so long

 

What people fail to understand is it was the first 90 minutes of the season after probably a double training session yesterday Against young fresh legs second half

 

Let's not get too carried away about some of the youngsters playing in a pre season friendly for 45 minutes, and remember that for every Lewis O'Brien, there's half a dozen Jacob Hansons.

 

Park, you need a new needle - records stuck

 

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!

 

Well when you speak to people who find every negative they can about everything. There were plenty of positives in that performance yes we need a little bit more but I wonder what other league two sides who are suffering heavy defeats think. It wasn’t great second half and we still need a leat a couple more players but we will be alright

 

Good post

 

Er....

They had a strong team first half
First 90 minutes under their belts
Double training sessions
New formation

Damn it, one of these excuses must stick eventually!!

 

he’s imposed his nice style of play on the team but without a bit of quality out wide or up front I am not sure how we will break teams down. Once we have been watched by other teams it will be hard going. I fear it’s not going to end well if we don’t get bodies in but I am trying to remain optimistic

 

We looked every bit as good as the first half team they put out though. It was a strange game in the end.

 

No need four excuses it was a good training session with plenty of promise

 

Look, we need a few more players for sure.

Today was a good work out and that's it. It changes nothing! Currently we are a crap side - period!

 

Exactly, just a friendly so no need to start thinking up reasons why we didn't perform well in the second half.

 

It’s blxxdy obvious tired legs against talented young players. I am not saying there isn’t things we need to do better and pace upfront especially second half was lacking. Donaldson did ok when he came on but Donaldson and Novak isn’t a partnership that will work.