Pre-season fixtures 2017

[Worthy4England]

Never quite worked out why they call them all "trialist". Sorta understand occasionally something might be hush-hush

[nelson66]

YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[nelson66]

ALF scores - Broke Wanderers 1 Money Bags Premier League Stoke City O

COYWM

[Nicko58]

Well I'm here, and I can't really report anything we don't already know. We're still crying out for that that player who can be the bridge between the midfield and the forwards. The lack of a such a player means that either Madine drops deeper or Le Fondre pushes wide to create a bit of space. That said, they've all been decent enough up to now, though Stoke been a bit half arsed even if they have hit the post and the bar. Le Fondre did well to create something from nothing for the goal, Vela is probably the stand out for us, and Shaqiri, who as expected is pulling the strings, is the stand out for them. One last thing to note, I can't recall a fotballer with thinner legs than Stephen Darby.

[Nicko58]

Ameobi and Armstrong are on for Madine and Le Fondre.

[TANGODANCER]

And Stoke grab a winner in injury time...

[nelson66]

Gutted - Iles reckons there was a foul in the lead up to their first goal
We was robbed

Nicky Hunt had twigs for legs too when he started out

[Worthy4England]

Clearly still can't win without Madine on the park.

[BWFC_Insane]

Played well against premier league opposition. Looked solid and Armstrong and Ameobi lit it up when they came on. They also left us wide open at times as they didn't do the work Madine and Alf put in stopping Stoke playing.

Was an entertaining match though. And plenty of good signs.

We still a few short though there are signs we may get a couple in next week it seems.

[Prufrock]

How'd we set up?

[Nicko58]

How'd we set up?

Howard, Dervite, Wheater, Beevers, Darby, Vela, Karacan, Pratley, Andrew Taylor, Madine, Le Fondre. 3-5-2 with Darby and Andrew Taylor as the wing-backs.

I thought that Darby played well, but that he's a full-back rather than a wing-back. I'd be slightly disappointed if we pick the same eleven next Sunday, if only because it would seem to be a waste to have all three of Ameobi, Armstrong and Buckley on the bench. The trouble is, I don't know where they fit in our 3-5-2. I reckon that a 4-2-3-1 is probably the best option for us, particularly if Morais isn't fit, however that inevitably means that we drop Le Fondre.

[TANGODANCER]

How'd we set up?

Howard, Dervite, Wheater, Beevers, Darby, Vela, Karacan, Pratley, Andrew Taylor, Madine, Le Fondre. 3-5-2 with Darby and Andrew Taylor as the wing-backs.

I thought that Darby played well, but that he's a full-back rather than a wing-back. I'd be slightly disappointed if we pick the same eleven next Sunday, if only because it would seem to be a waste to have all three of Ameobi, Armstrong and Buckley on the bench. The trouble is, I don't know where they fit in our 3-5-2. I reckon that a 4-2-3-1 is probably the best option for us, particularly if Morais isn't fit, however that inevitably means that we drop Le Fondre.

Just speculating, but I'm thinking the front guys are all going to have to get used to being swapped around. No bad thing from a competitive point of view, but hope it doesn't cause problems and that Ameobi, ( Armstrong, Buckley,who I know nothing about) Alf and Madine are all level headed enough to work together for the team. Up to now, putting the ball in the net seems to be no new problem for us. That said, we seemed to do well today according to our reports, but were outclassed according to the Stoke biased live link I followed?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I can see a 3-4-3 working for us with two of /Ameobi/Buckley/ALF floating off Madine. Problem is that puts a very big workload on the central two - pooled from Vela/Karacan/Pratz and, hopefully, Cullen.

Notable, I think, that we've gone back-three (and stayed that way) since pre-season got serious. Arguably connected that the goals have dried a little?

[BWFC_Insane]

That was a flat back 5 if ever I've seen one. Also one of the strongest indications that Parky really thinks we are going to massively struggle.

We are setup to defend. A lot.

Having said that it was a decent test. Only thing I'd say is rather like the Sheffield United first game last season we could easily have been 3 down after half an hour had Stoke taken some rather clear chances.

[DJBlu]

That was a flat back 5 if ever I've seen one. Also one of the strongest indications that Parky really thinks we are going to massively struggle.

We are setup to defend. A lot.

Having said that it was a decent test. Only thing I'd say is rather like the Sheffield United first game last season we could easily have been 3 down after half an hour had Stoke taken some rather clear chances.

Nice to see you're all set for the season.

[BWFC_Insane]

That was a flat back 5 if ever I've seen one. Also one of the strongest indications that Parky really thinks we are going to massively struggle.

We are setup to defend. A lot.

Having said that it was a decent test. Only thing I'd say is rather like the Sheffield United first game last season we could easily have been 3 down after half an hour had Stoke taken some rather clear chances.

Nice to see you're all set for the season.

Being realistic it's going to be a struggle. Even if we are at our most optimistic most games we will be on paper a clearly inferior team. But we have things others might not, a great manager and spirit.

I wouldn't write us off. But anyone expecting us to take games to the opposition is going to be disappointed based on how Parky is setting us up pre-season.

[TANGODANCER]

That was a flat back 5 if ever I've seen one. Also one of the strongest indications that Parky really thinks we are going to massively struggle.

We are setup to defend. A lot.

Having said that it was a decent test. Only thing I'd say is rather like the Sheffield United first game last season we could easily have been 3 down after half an hour had Stoke taken some rather clear chances.

Nice to see you're all set for the season.

"If only" hasn't been offered a contract, apparently. Pessimism is Insaney's middle name...

[Worthy4England]

I dunno. I wouldn't be unhappy with a safe lower mid table finish. The reality that it's any sort of balanced playing field preceded us getting relegated.

[TANGODANCER]

I dunno. I wouldn't be unhappy with a safe lower mid table finish. The reality that it's any sort of balanced playing field preceded us getting relegated.

I'd agree with that (as I'm sure quite a few would right now), but if we start to do well and then slip to that level somebody is sure to moan. Reralistically, "Festina Lente" should be the new club motto.

[BWFC_Insane]

I dunno. I wouldn't be unhappy with a safe lower mid table finish. The reality that it's any sort of balanced playing field preceded us getting relegated.

I'd agree with that (as I'm sure quite a few would right now), but if we start to do well and then slip to that level somebody is sure to moan. Reralistically, "Festina Lente" should be the new club motto.

Anyone who moans at finishing 4th bottom would be ridiculous. That would be an excellent finish.