Pre-season (Match Threads Here)

[Kerryblueboy]

Problem is 1-2 injuries and Keane is back in and still no rb looked ok pre season but still glaring holes in our squad and a few that need moving on

[sam of the south]

In a real game we aren’t making eight subs and Patterson and Keane aren’t seeing the pitch though

History suggests Keane is definitely seeing the pitch

[Indiantoffee75]

In a real game we aren’t making eight subs and Patterson and Keane aren’t seeing the pitch though

Regardless of subs, we've seen games last season, by an large we play well, don't see it out and errors and lapses lead to equalisers and winners.

Wouldn't be so sure about Keane.

Let's see this time next week how different we really are.

[Gash]

Problem is, it's all well and good playing for large periods of the game, but it's then those small moments, lapses of concentration and basic errors which ruins the good work.

Sadly we'll see a repetition of that this season. That's the frustration.

That's the spirit.

[AllyBlue14]

Subs broke the momentum but massive positives for me. The team was young and fresh and looked lively, particularly in the first half.

We're going to be inconsistent but with a couple of additions here and there, you can definitely see the squad is starting to take shape.

[Indiantoffee75]

That's the spirit.

Not wrong though. We've seen it played out many times last season. Unable to kill off the opposition.

[Gash]

Not wrong though. We've seen it played out many times last season. Unable to kill off the opposition.

The doommongers like you will always just focus on the last 30 seconds of the game, it's your default setting. I personally think it's been a really good pre season with a steady increase in the level of opposition. We're far from perfect but there's a lot to be encouraged about and some very good individual performances and good to see some players raise their game.

[TheRam]

Nice to hear the good reviews.

Still not at all optimistic about the season though.

I think that team will look great in a game like today but would struggle in the prem.

I still have the same concerns about the midfield and the defence and until that’s properly addressed I won’t be getting too excited.

[Indiantoffee75]

The doommongers like you will always just focus on the last 30 seconds of the game, it's your default setting. I personally think it's been a really good pre season with a steady increase in the level of opposition. We're far from perfect but there's a lot to be encouraged about and some very good individual perfomances and good to see some players raise their game.

That's fair enough, we all see it differently. I'd like to be realistic and not your happy clapper. There might be good individual performances but collectively as a team I don't think it's been great at all. Players signed don't move the needle for me which is finishing in that top 7. No full backs signed and there is no decent centre forward at the club.
It's fine another season of stability though.

[blueToffee]

Missed the second half but first half was positive.

Any good moments second half ?

[Bumble]

Don't have any major concerns about the midfield and out wide now.

We have enough players and quality/potential to fashion a workable solution with plenty of options off the bench too.

Full backs are where we will be picked off as well as lose an attacking outlet and we are only an injury or so away from seeing Burnley's centre back pairing from 10 years ago again. But that's all been said numerous times before.

[Escalator]

In a real game we aren’t making eight subs and Patterson and Keane aren’t seeing the pitch though

In a real game defending a 1-0 lead with 30 seconds to go we keep the ball in the corner and don’t cross it into the box to lose posession, think Moyses might give someone a bollocking for that.

[Bluebridge]

[AllyBlue14]

That's fair enough, we all see it differently. I'd like to be realistic. There might be good individual performances but collectively as a team I don't think it's been great at all. Players signed don't move the needle for me which is finishing in that top 7. No full backs signed and there is no decent centre forward at the club.
It's fine another season of stability though.

It's about expectations, though, mate isn't it?

Personally, after the last few years, I don't think expecting to finish in the top 7 is realistic. And then that becomes an unfair stick to beat Moyes with.

We've been crying out for stability for years and I think it's underrated. I've been pretty underwhelmed with much of the transfer business this summer but seeing them today, we've got some decent options, you know.

Totally get people wanting more but if we can give players like George, Rohl and Dibling minutes, while pushing for the top half, I'll be pleased. Then we'll have a stronger foundation to build on next year.

[AjaxAndy]

How'd Johnson look when he came on?