Pre-season 2023-24

[truewhite15]

I really hope both come good but it annoys me that we can’t say they’ve both been absolute pants so far. They have. Why do we need to pretend otherwise?

Nobody needs to pretend anything.

What's most annoying, apparently either way, is when examples are extrapolated into generalities and posted with such certitude that they seem to deserve orchestral backing and alleged truisms being chipped into marble.

F*cking THIS.

[GhostoftheBok]

For sure, the first bit. If they come on and make a difference, people less worried about whether they're playing Evatt's pattern or not.

For much of the second half of last season, I reckon a good few were thinking "more of the same, but a bit shitter"

...and a lot of the time they were right.

We are clearly trying to mix it up a bit. We went for Shoretire in the last window and Wilson in this one, who are both very different from what we have on offer otherwise.

Evatt is looking to try and get what Dapo offered him into a system that's more defensively secure.

We need 2 or 3 of the type and level. That'll be a tough ask in a single window, but I'd say if we don't get two we're asking a lot of the one that constitutes the minimum.

I have a strong suspicion that one of the lads we're targeting is currently on tour until July 26th or so and that once he's back in Blighty one of Markham's old mates will make a call on him and let us know. If that's correct then he would solve our "wow" factor issues, but he'd be a massive stretch.

As to what goes on with replacing what he expected from Shola and hoped to get with Wilson, who knows. We need it, though.

I much prefer Evatt's system, but the team has a touch of the Megsons about it right now. Nobody is getting my arse out of my seat at the minute and that's part of the reason we all pay to go.

[Prufrock]

See Barnsley lost 9-1 to Leeds today. Imagine the state of here if that had been us

[Worthy4England]

See Barnsley lost 9-1 to Leeds today. Imagine the state of here if that had been us

Give it time. We still have a few to play including Everton....the week before the big kick-off...

[boltonboris]

I know we're getting used to things and I'm not on board with it, but people could argue that if these patterns don't work against Chester City, what makes us think it will work against League 1 sides. From what I saw, we created plenty and couldn't finish some pretty simple chances. Which is both encouraging and discouraging.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I know we're getting used to things and I'm not on board with it, but people could argue that if these patterns don't work against Chester City, what makes us think it will work against League 1 sides. From what I saw, we created plenty and couldn't finish some pretty simple chances. Which is both encouraging and discouraging.

I'm expecting the imminent reappearance of the phrase "tee to green".

[Worthy4England]

I know we're getting used to things and I'm not on board with it, but people could argue that if these patterns don't work against Chester City, what makes us think it will work against League 1 sides. From what I saw, we created plenty and couldn't finish some pretty simple chances. Which is both encouraging and discouraging.

I'm expecting the imminent reappearance of the phrase "tee to green".

And maybe you should!

[GhostoftheBok]

I know we're getting used to things and I'm not on board with it, but people could argue that if these patterns don't work against Chester City, what makes us think it will work against League 1 sides. From what I saw, we created plenty and couldn't finish some pretty simple chances. Which is both encouraging and discouraging.

We did well in the first period of the game. The same can be said of Curzon. With the full first team on the pitch things worked fairly well mechanically. It was once we started to make changes that it got disjointed (or when they got a bit lax with their positioning after we scored). At that stage in a competitive game Evatt might have switched it up, but the whole point is learning it well enough to become fluid.

Lots of it is good. The dummies for the second runner are working fairly well, but that's where we need a midfielder (or two) who can finish.

[BWFC_Insane]

I know we're getting used to things and I'm not on board with it, but people could argue that if these patterns don't work against Chester City, what makes us think it will work against League 1 sides. From what I saw, we created plenty and couldn't finish some pretty simple chances. Which is both encouraging and discouraging.

We did well in the first period of the game. The same can be said of Curzon. With the full first team on the pitch things worked fairly well mechanically. It was once we started to make changes that it got disjointed (or when they got a bit lax with their positioning after we scored). At that stage in a competitive game Evatt might have switched it up, but the whole point is learning it well enough to become fluid.

Lots of it is good. The dummies for the second runner are working fairly well, but that's where we need a midfielder (or two) who can finish.

I think the discussion is whether our inability to stick 6 or 7 past sides several levels below us in pre season is indicative of the same problems we had last season. Patterns or not the bottom line is whether we get the ball in the back of the net enough. That was the issue last season. Pre season is never a great marker for me - its more or less glorified training sessions as Evatt has said. Its up for debate as Iles has suggested whether strikers missing is indicative of 'more of the same' or will change come the season start.

[Riviman]

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ill-boots/

Wanderers beat Bradford 5 2 in behind closed doors friendly.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ill-boots/

Wanderers beat Bradford 5 2 in behind closed doors friendly.

A bit more detail here (well, a bit more until the BN reword it)
https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/friendly-wa ... ord-city-2

That looks like our first-choice starting XI (so far) with Dion and Ade up top. 2-0 up, pegged back to 2-2, strode past them 2nd half.

[truewhite15]

Notable that we ended the game with three strikers on the park. And that Nlundulu was brought on for Dempsey. A plan at work?

[Worthy4England]

Notable that we ended the game with three strikers on the park. And that Nlundulu was brought on for Dempsey. A plan at work?

Ha! scurrilous suggestion!

[Worthy4England]

Also read like 4/5 different people credited with the assists too. Iredale, Demps, Geth and Sads all got a mention...

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Notable that we ended the game with three strikers on the park. And that Nlundulu was brought on for Dempsey. A plan at work?

Possibly more getting bodies where we can. I note that whoever "laid out" the team on the club website set us out in a 3-1-4-2 starting lineup, with Sheehan behind JDC/Morley/Dempsey/Randy; by the time we were bringing subs on, despite the fact Khumbeni seems to me to be a sitting midfielder, the shape might have tipped to more of a 3-4-1-2 with Dan behind DadBod and Jerome.

[TANGODANCER]

B team lads two -nil up a half time.

[GhostoftheBok]

Luke Matheson apparently playing for the Bs tonight.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Luke Matheson apparently playing for the Bs tonight.

Iiiiiiinteresting - let’s see how that goes

[TANGODANCER]

Luke Matheson apparently playing for the Bs tonight.

Iiiiiiinteresting - let’s see how that goes

5-2 the B lads at full time. Good win.

[KeyserSoze]