Pre-season, 2024(/25)

[GhostoftheBok]

Well I for one thoroughly enjoyed that tonight. Thought we looked good. New formation could be effective and might bring the best out of Vic (who I thought was superb all game).

If say we more then held it own against a (weakened?) Serie A (presumably) team and possibly had the lions share off the chances.


Concerns over Colin's and Santos picking up knocks (Santos looked to just his knee stretching into a superb tackle - sky often ends up tweaking ligaments)

I agree it was a lot of fun. Fiorentina were really unhappy after the game, but that's positive - they needed an excuse for failing to beat a side they felt were beneath them.

We didn't rough them up, Quite the opposite. They were consistently fouling us and we played some decent football.

Collins' knee is apparently looking okay. Santos, eek. Not one we want to lose.

Charles and Southwood both said they expect to be playing soon, so that's good news. If we can add some signings in the next few days things will look a lot brighter.

[BorsdaneWhite]

Good to hear Johnno smashed into a tackle fiercely enough to set off a melée. Possibly a brouhaha. Or even a hullabaloo.

I’m not sure how to embed the video of that tackle, but it is a thing of beauty. Never a foul either. I hope to Zeus he stays fit, because, Lord knows, we missed that tempestuousness last season. https://x.com/calvvv_/status/1816966958 ... 2SmDvM1XeA

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Good to hear Johnno smashed into a tackle fiercely enough to set off a melée. Possibly a brouhaha. Or even a hullabaloo.

I’m not sure how to embed the video of that tackle, but it is a thing of beauty. Never a foul either. I hope to Zeus he stays fit, because, Lord knows, we missed that tempestuousness last season. https://x.com/calvvv_/status/1816966958 ... 2SmDvM1XeA

[sonicthewhite]

Feckin great tackle that

[dave the minion]

I agree it was a lot of fun. Fiorentina were really unhappy after the game, but that's positive - they needed an excuse for failing to beat a side they felt were beneath them.

We didn't rough them up, Quite the opposite. They were consistently fouling us and we played some decent football.

Collins' knee is apparently looking okay. Santos, eek. Not one we want to lose.

Charles and Southwood both said they expect to be playing soon, so that's good news. If we can add some signings in the next few days things will look a lot brighter.

Typical Italian side to me - fine when it's going their way but didn't like it at all when not. Very easily rattled and god knows how they would have coped if we were actually a rough/dirty/hard side!!

Heard that Collins is more a cut type injury rather than muscle/ligaments, so whilst it'll be sore this morning presumably no lasting damage.

Santos is a different matter - seemed to over-extend his leg making the (wonderful) slide tackle near the end. The lack of comment from the club on his situation worries me a little too - hopefully nothing too serious, and before the physios came on he was down on his haunches which hopefully suggests no significant damage to ligaments etc (I've done mine and the last thing you want to be doing is squatting down!!!).

However, I suppose I shouldn't be too worried, as - apart from the small matter that he was back to his imperious best last night - he's apparently crap so wouldn't be a miss anyway if he's injured....

[dave the minion]

Good to hear Johnno smashed into a tackle fiercely enough to set off a melée. Possibly a brouhaha. Or even a hullabaloo.

I’m not sure how to embed the video of that tackle, but it is a thing of beauty. Never a foul either. I hope to Zeus he stays fit, because, Lord knows, we missed that tempestuousness last season. https://x.com/calvvv_/status/1816966958 ... 2SmDvM1XeA

What.
A.
Tackle.

Thought it was good live, but seeing it again from that angle looks even better. Agree it wasn't a foul either. And to boot, not only a good tackle, but a great pass to Arfield!

What I love about the scuffle afterwards is how together the team still is. Iredale - as always - first in to protect his mate, and big Dan running to get involved too.

On a different note - thought Dan looked sharp when he came on. Absolutely lovely bit of pressing at the end chasing their defender and keeper round the bottom corner to win the ball back by the touchline. Also made a big deal of coming over to clap the fans at the end - seems a great guy to have at the club (just hope he can start to find the form he was starting to show when he got crocked last year)

[BWFC_Insane]

Good to hear Johnno smashed into a tackle fiercely enough to set off a melée. Possibly a brouhaha. Or even a hullabaloo.

I’m not sure how to embed the video of that tackle, but it is a thing of beauty. Never a foul either. I hope to Zeus he stays fit, because, Lord knows, we missed that tempestuousness last season. https://x.com/calvvv_/status/1816966958 ... 2SmDvM1XeA

What.
A.
Tackle.

Thought it was good live, but seeing it again from that angle looks even better. Agree it wasn't a foul either. And to boot, not only a good tackle, but a great pass to Arfield!

What I love about the scuffle afterwards is how together the team still is. Iredale - as always - first in to protect his mate, and big Dan running to get involved too.

On a different note - thought Dan looked sharp when he came on. Absolutely lovely bit of pressing at the end chasing their defender and keeper round the bottom corner to win the ball back by the touchline. Also made a big deal of coming over to clap the fans at the end - seems a great guy to have at the club (just hope he can start to find the form he was starting to show when he got crocked last year)

The system is likely to suit Dan and Vic more I suspect. I don’t think either are particularly skilled in a 2 but with players playing off them in a more ‘basic’ role it might help both.

My question is where does Dion play?

[dave the minion]

And that is a fair question, one I was asking myself last night!

Vic definitely looked sharp and to benefit, and Dan when he came on was the same - seemed to be "free-er" without the expectation of being the main man (or one of 2) up top.

Not sure exactly what the new system is meant to set up as, but I could definitely see Charles as the centre of the 3 with any 2 of the others supporting - but then you've got the rotational issues to deal with and assuming Collins is always going to be one of the 2, this only leaves 1 space for Vic/Dan/Lolos (who, BTW, looks to have a hell of a touch on him on last night's showing...)

[jmjhb]

With his pressing you could see him in any of the 3 roles. To maximise his effectiveness I think you'd want him up top though, except if perhaps Vic is playing?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I did initially worry about where Dion fits in a front three, but it depends how close the others are to him. He wouldn't do well as the Madine in a Parkinsonian 4-5------1 but I suspect this 3-4-3 will have the wide men rather further forward.

We also tend to rotate our forwards, so everyone will get minutes to impress. As a side note on that, though: it's possible that having three rather than two forwards pressing high could cut down the yards those lads have to cover; rather than having to cover a 'vertical half' each, they only have a third each. That's slightly oversimplifying what will happen on the grass, but basically the central forward might only have to hare around the width of the penalty box and could thus hang around for longer.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

With his pressing you could see him in any of the 3 roles. To maximise his effectiveness I think you'd want him up top though, except if perhaps Vic is playing?

Yeah, I'd want him at 9.

Vic has played wide in a 3 and I can picture him arriving at the far post to score. So he's definitely another option out there. But could also switch to 9 if Dion's off.

Dan hasn't vastly impressed in any role but i suspect he may be better coming off the flank than playing up top with his back to goal, although he'll give the latter a go.

Collins might also excel running in off the flank.

Lolos I dunno yet.

In short: my 9 would be Dion, then Vic, with Dan as third choice - but I reserve judgement on Lolos, who played there some of last season. Out wide we've got more options - especially when Randell and CMG are back.

[officer_dibble]

Looking forward to CMG getting fit - I think from what I saw last season he could be one of the championship ready players we have in the right role.

[Worthy4England]

Looking forward to CMG getting fit - I think from what I saw last season he could be one of the championship ready players we have in the right role.

Was quite excited when we signed him. Don't think we've seen his best yet, so aye will be a bit like a new signing. Think he's still a way off though?

[BWFC_Insane]

I have no issue with Dion in the front of a front three or indeed one of the other two roles. I think he could do either. With some adaption.

But it does rather leave a problem given that Vic is only playing that forward number 9 role and I suspect that is the one Dan would also most likely occupy.

If Mcatee rumours are true I assume he takes one of the other two slots but to me I already feel we are ‘striker’ heavy for this system but lacking in ‘forwards’ if that makes sense.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Looking forward to CMG getting fit - I think from what I saw last season he could be one of the championship ready players we have in the right role.

Was quite excited when we signed him. Don't think we've seen his best yet, so aye will be a bit like a new signing. Think he's still a way off though?

Yeah I think they were talking about November time. #LikeANewSigning

[Worthy4England]

Looking forward to CMG getting fit - I think from what I saw last season he could be one of the championship ready players we have in the right role.

Was quite excited when we signed him. Don't think we've seen his best yet, so aye will be a bit like a new signing. Think he's still a way off though?

Yeah I think they were talking about November time. #LikeANewSigning

Cheers, mate

[GhostoftheBok]

For what it's worth the "3" up top isn't a striker and wide players, it's two #10s forming a box midfield. The wide runner is often the 9 in channels, rather than the #10s - so Collins, Lolos, Dan and Dempsey (and CMG when alive) are the lads currently on the books who suit the role. Dempsey is probably earmarked for the deeper roles, though. Dan perhaps more of a utility forward who can have a go at both.

Charles and Vic are very much "9s" in this system.

The lads we are linked with (McAtee and Dembele) both really suit it. With their BTEC Cantona and Okocha vibes.

Some people around the place were getting very excited about McAtee last night, so I suppose we can live in hope there. I don't know whether staff were more forthcoming than they should have been with other people (they were not to me, quite rightly) or whether it was folk making assumptions.

Some from the club were bullish about incomings to the point it was fairly clear one or two are now agreed (doesn't mean signed). Hopefully those get over the line, whoever they are.

If one of those is McAtee that'd really ruffle a few feathers. Quite a few are clearly upset by the idea he'd some here, as they feel he belongs a level up. It's always nice to see players come in that people think are too good for you. Certainly a player where you can understand them hanging on to get the calibre right.

[Worthy4England]

What'll be nice, is if they show they're too good for us on the pitch for a season.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

What'll be nice, is if they show they're too good for us on the pitch for a season.

Like Maghoma did...

[GhostoftheBok]

Like Maghoma did...

Quite.

We've not signed anyone of that class yet.

I do like Lolos, though. He's a unit and he's brave with the ball. Definitely a player there.