Pre season

Mate, that was a huge win last night. Big 3pts.

 

Interesting. With Foulds and Sikora there as CB options then that can free Reece up as a CM. Often worried he isnt big enough for a CB but he can certainly play ball.

 

Enjoyed the game, good signs in terms of the high press and formation, we’re already looking like a well drilled team. However I’ll reserve my judgment until we’ve played someone better.
It might be my imagination but I can’t help thinking the first half team were his current first 11 based on training with the 2nd 11 fighting for a starting slot.

 

Think it was more about balance and ensuring we had a strong 11 on the pitch after the multiple changes.

Any road, his second 11 did better by all accounts.

0-5 a good start. Weve lost and drawn these games previous seasons. Important we draw momentum, breed confidence and install a winning mentality before Exeter. Doncaster a far sterner test.

 

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Reserve your judgement until 10 games in to the new season.

Pre season is about fitness. It doesn’t matter. You can’t judge a team playing against bloody BPA.

You can take things from the game like the pressing but the result doesn’t matter and the performances are something you look to build over time.

 

We haven’t won the league but 5 nil is better than we normally do against that lot………. So a good first building block put in place for the season. Long may it continue mr Adams…. Keep em working.

 

The posters are only commenting on like for like performances against BPA and the noticeable improvements we made, be it stronger starting 11, fitness, formation, pressing or otherwise. No one is getting carried away. We’ve played 1 friendly and that’s all we have to go on. Are you suggesting we say nothing until the 11th game of the season? We all saw the writing on the wall when Collins was in charge with the chaotic preseason preparations, last minute cancellations of matches, poor results, poor fitness, trialists etc. That carried through into the season and we ended up the worst team in the league by some distance. Setting your stall out early and start as you mean to go on is a good mantra to follow. As I say, no one will get carried away, we’ve been here too many times but it’s a good start to preseason, long may it continue.

 

Can’t read into that game,

Everyone knew barring one man that Collins shouldn’t have been given the job.

No injuries hopefully that’s all I want out of yesterday’s game. Built up our fitness that’s it.

 

I beg to differ, champions by Christmas.

 

“The result doesn’t matter”

So we were using games like this playing largely two difference First / Second 11’s to get fit but we LOST 5-0!!!

Can you imagine your response?

I can “ Adams is the wrong choice and all the recruits are mere L2 players”

You do make yourself look somewhat daft on occasions Fordy.

 

You can only beat the team that is put in front of you and there will be much sterner tests to come.
What i will say is that we look much better prepared for the coming season, than we have done in years. With maybe a few more tweeks to come.

 

Now now Fordy no need to throw your sponge out of the bucket! Surely what matters is the Adams' effect, how the coaching methods are going, playing off the front foot and employing a pressing game.Actually I saw promise in the speed of movement and footwork on show last night.If we are an attractive team to watch then more fans will be induced to come and watch us.1st friendly of course, early days naturally but it's a game in the right direction and for me THAT is THE result.

 

Yes, despite the opposition, there was plenty on show there to indicate we ain’t being run like a pub team any more.
The style , the pace, the attitude was on show for all to see. Those who watched the game saw it quite quickly. A breath of fresh air , compared to the plodding , predictable fare we have seen over the last few seasons. He hasn’t seen his “best” 11 on last night showing, because the philosophy of cover for every position was there in spades. I think we could easily see different mixes of players home and away. Angol was up against amateur defenders for sure, but on that showing he could easily play the lone man up front at away games, his ball control and hold up play shows if he applies himself ( last chance saloon anyway) then he might, just might prove to be shrewd piece of recruitment.

 

On occasions?

 

Those that care about the result don’t understand pre season. If we have lost 5-0 then so be it. Pre season is about FITNESS! It’s about trying new things and seeing how certain players or partnerships do.

The results in pre season don’t matter a jot and if you think they do then it’s you that is draft.

 

Results in friendlies aren’t the be all and end all but all the same you want to look cohesive and like you have a plan and are starting to develop a style.

inspector nailed it above - often we have had a chaotic preseason but last night we got a good vibe. We looked prepared and the early signs (based on the good early tempo and pressing) are Adams is making his mark.

 

However, losing the mystique of "Triallist A" etc, takes the fun out of the games a bit.

 

Didn't we lose to Harrogate 5-0 a few seasons ago? I think that was a great indication that we were totally unprepared. At least winning 5-0 gets us on the front foot, and highlights that some things are coming together from the off - fitness, understanding what the manager wants, confidence, players reading each others game. I'd say a 5-0 win with a load of triallists and fringe players is unimportant, but a win with the nucleus of first team players playing, is a good sign.