Brave move to go six at the back this early in the campaign, Wilmot, Britos, Femenia, Hollyboo, Mariappa and Hoban.
Britos has to be the best defender at passing straight to the opposition I have ever seen. Also hilariously slow now, too.
Season on a knife edge right now. Another goal for Koln and it’s time to press the panic button, no mistake.
First half was 4-3-3 with Pereyra and Capoue the deeper of the three in midfield with Hughes. F**k knows what this is second half, we've got about 8 defenders on, a winger and a striker.
Bit of a disappointment for those of us hoping that Doucoure and Chalobah will tear up the league to see a centre midfield of Tommie Hoban and er, no one else.
Sitting in streams under a bridge... getting slower day by day... I conclude Britos is turning into a river troll
First half: Foster had nothing to do, but showed off his very good distribution. Cathcart and Kabasele seemed solid enough, in line with what we've come to expect from them. Although I do worry about the lack of pace and height between them as a pairing. Masina looked very promising. Seemed dangerous going forwards. Maybe a bit slack at times defensively. Janmaat. Pereyra didn't really get in the game too much, despite playing centre-mid. He had one of his "looking a bit frail and shirking challenges" kind of performances. Capoue. Hughes played well. Sema had some good touches. Struggled to get in to the game though and seemed disappointingly sluggish running with the ball. Richie looked the liveliest I've seen him in a while; appears to have regained his pace for running in behind. Did well to assist Gray. Most of his passing and final balls were diabolical though. Gray, decent finish for the goal from a tight angle. However, like Richie was very sloppy in his passing. No signs his erratic hold-up play will improve. Basically all our attacks broke down with one of either Richie or Gray being sloppy. Second half: Lukebakio looked lively. Similar to Richie appears to have a bit of a petulant, at times both lazy and hot-headed attitude, but if he pulls his finger out he could be a good prospect. Should get a bit of game time this season. Success? Looked moderately fit. Moderately mediocre. Sinclair looked quicker than I remembered and had a few decent runs with the ball. Didn't get involved much overall though. Wilmot nippy for his height. I wonder about how slight he is for a CB. Still very young though. Deeney seemed no quicker, nor slower, better, nor worse than last season. He held the ball up alright with his back to goal, but doesn't offer near enough any more. Britos, Mariappa and Holebas should not be playing for us. Not too much new to be learned. Though we do look to have good squad depth given the teams we put out despite none of Navarro, Doucoure, Chalobah, Deulofeu or Penaranda making it on to the pitch. An upgrade at CB and ST are still the main concerns.
An odd 6-0-4 formation. JG was obviously setting Troy up to fail so that he'll ask for a transfer in disgust.
Bizarre second half team. We didn’t have a midfield!! Success and Lukebakio aren’t going to defend; Hoban and Wilmot aren’t going to keep the ball and dictate the play. Minutes in the legs is about all you can say.
Really? I thought he looked like a headless chicken. Couldn’t beat a man and didn’t make the right decisions in the final third.
It’s the first pre season friendly. There is almost nothing that can be learnt from this match. No analysis required. Just minutes in the legs.
We do seem to have lot of chaff to move on. I reckon we've got a decent enough first 11, especially when you add in Doucoure, Chalobah and Deulofeu. But we still look underdone in defence and up front from that showing.
Nope, don't try and bring perspective into this. Now is the time for wailing and the gnashing of teeth, and you can't stop us!
