Pre-season, 2024(/25)

[officer_dibble]

Vaguely recall a red would but not yellows

[GhostoftheBok]

Other side of things today, we showed some fight when Stoke decided to get rough. Second bit of a scrap in preseason and the lads consistently standing up for each other.

[DJBlu]

Logged in to say Vic was decent. Sheehan needs to get on the weights.

Logging off.

[Prufrock]

Mumba was a loanee I'm pretty sure (down here, from Norwich, and then they signed him having gone up)

Also pre season doesn't count.

[truewhite15]

Mumba was a loanee I'm pretty sure (down here, from Norwich, and then they signed him having gone up)

Also pre season doesn't count.

The negative stuff does. And there's loads of it.

Apparently

[GhostoftheBok]

We lost 1-0 against a team from a higher division, with a team that was half filled out with lads just back from injuries or totally new players.

No idea why people are freaking out.

It was a chance for some lads to show themselves. Some did and some didn't. It's the way of things.

We saw where the gaps in the squad are. We've lost Paris' press resistance and dribbling through the middle and Soke were able to press us there.

We've not solved our dribbling issues out wide, so we got stuck a bit there too.

Collins would have made a difference. Randell would have too.

We need some signings and some players back.

[Mar]

We lost 1-0 against a team from a higher division, with a team that was half filled out with lads just back from injuries or totally new players.

Exactly this.

There wasn't much in the game, Stoke didn't have an abundance of chances but they nullified us and we barely got going. Sort of a frustrating night, but you could understand it given the team we put out and how that's still a work in progress. It's hard to beat a team a league higher, even with our strongest side, let alone a rotated side.

Not that much to take away from the game, a nice physical battle and it helped to identify those with a bit of fight in them. In terms of how we're setup, we need some wingers.

[GhostoftheBok]

Not that much to take away from the game, a nice physical battle and it helped to identify those with a bit of fight in them. In terms of how we're setup, we need some wingers.

Yes. We were better after the changes. Vic once again looked very good.

I was disappointed with Dan and Toal. Neither of them got properly stuck in. Dan has the raw materials to be a decent player, but he needs to put a shift in. He's too often happy with making the odd sprint and then walking for 5 minutes. I had hoped something had clicked for him last game, when he was pressing Fiorentina very well.

[Mar]

Not that much to take away from the game, a nice physical battle and it helped to identify those with a bit of fight in them. In terms of how we're setup, we need some wingers.

Yes. We were better after the changes. Vic once again looked very good.

I was disappointed with Dan and Toal. Neither of them got properly stuck in. Dan has the raw materials to be a decent player, but he needs to put a shift in. He's too often happy with making the odd sprint and then walking for 5 minutes. I had hoped something had clicked for him last game, when he was pressing Fiorentina very well.

It's so hard to gauge why players are doing what they're doing, especially in pre-season. Any niggles or knocks in training are likely to warrant a medical diagnosis of 'lets see how it goes' and 'don't do too much'. Not saying thats the case for lack of effort and energy just a factor that has an impact leading up to games that actually matter

[GhostoftheBok]

It's so hard to gauge why players are doing what they're doing, especially in pre-season. Any niggles or knocks in training are likely to warrant a medical diagnosis of 'lets see how it goes' and 'don't do too much'. Not saying thats the case for lack of effort and energy just a factor that has an impact leading up to games that actually matter

We will manage his hamstrings as best we can, but a couple of times the ball was 5-10 yards from him and he just didn't react. Then it's like the internet wheel of doom loaded up and he started to move.

He's been out for nearly a full season and I'm always inclined to give leeway there, but he's not a natural presser. That's something he has to get with if he's going to be of any use to us.

This new system is less gung-ho with the pressing and works on fewer triggers, but he still has to go when called upon on.

He's 25 now. He has 12 months left. It's very much shape up or ship out time for Dan and if he ships out it'll be lower than us. Need to see some passion.

[BWFC_Insane]

He’s the next Ivan Toney. When people wonder why I’m so fed up with Evatt - it’s that it took me about 3 games to see Dan was absolutely shit. Yet we had a 6 month loan and still spent a big fee on him.

What sort of judgement does it reflect on a manager who had 6 months with a player we could all see wasn’t good enough and still decided to spend money on?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I reckon we’ll finish below Stoke.

No idea why people are freaking out.

I could suggest one or two, but I just can’t be bothered these days. I’d rather do a tax return.

[Worthy4England]

I reckon we’ll finish below Stoke.

No idea why people are freaking out.

I could suggest one or two, but I just can’t be bothered these days. I’d rather do a tax return.

We only want decent tax returns where we get something back. Not those shit ones with K codes.

If some folks think we missed out in an "easier" season and that this season is tougher, then they're probably going to expect we look better than last year just to get the same outcome, then maybe another step up to go one better.

If it doesn't look like things have been addressed, we're showing the same frailties and (even with maybe decent reason) we haven't yet signed any game changers...then they're going to be at best, nervous.

There are folks quite happy to watch a project unfold over multiple years and those who want us in the Champo two seasons back, so we're now overdue.

I suspect that's about it.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Preseason is about getting fit, sorting shit out and being ready to start. Looking like the finished article is not going to happen. Anyways, I've see us blast all comers in preseason only for my optimism to be shot down in flames by a season full of shit and misery. I've also seen the reverse. Panic fannying is banned until after we're 3 games in.

That said, I do see concern with not seeing the big issues addressed yet. There is still time as long as the answer isn't Dan or our habitual physio table crew. So, maybe a little mild panic fannying after all

[TANGODANCER]

He’s the next Ivan Toney. When people wonder why I’m so fed up with Evatt - it’s that it took me about 3 games to see Dan was absolutely shit. Yet we had a 6 month loan and still spent a big fee on him.

I doubt they care actually. If you've passed sentence before the trial, what chance a "not guilty" verdict. It's as well to remember that right now we're third division Bolton Wanderers, not Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Let's start with hope and get behind the team and manager.

[GhostoftheBok]

we haven't yet signed any game changers

Certainly not moved the needle enough yet.

We've lost Paris and not dealt with the issues we had even with him in the 11.

There will be some natural improvement from a settled squad and some decent talents developing.

Coaching isn't exciting, though, and we do need signings quite badly.

[BWFC_Insane]

We had the exact same issue last night as weve had since Evatt switched to a back three and we lost Fossey and Dapo. We have no outlets. No pace out wide. No pace in behind. We can play through weaker sides in midfield and it will look nice. But a better side will come, press and we have no answer to that. Or didn’t last night. It was the same panicked passing sideways ball into midfield get turned over.

When a team presses we need threats in behind and outlets full of pace and running out wide. It’s not rocket science or new. But we are not going to play through the better sides in this league so need considerably more width, raw pace and dribbling ability.

[HMX]

I am concerned at the lack of wing back options and the number of injuries, obviously.

But a positive generally is that the spine of the team is in tact and have played together for a while. There's experience and togetherness and that should get you some way in the league, particularly when you look at teams throwing money at new signings and expecting them to gel within a few games. Advantage us.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

New lad starts at Vale, where the XI looks like the planned first team. 10 subs include two keepers, two B-teamers and, for the first time I believe, Forino.

Bax; Toal, Santos, Iredale; Cogz, Sheehan, Tomo, Schon; Arfield, Adeboyejo, Collins.

Subs: Coleman, Southwood, Forino, Johnston, Matheson, Morley, Conway, Lolos, Nlundulu, Charles

[BWFC_Insane]

Is Dempsey injured?