Morecambe Pre Season

[Puskas]

Mears and Riley? Oh well that's RB sorted then. Promise as evidenced where, then?

Stoke at home?

If one game can count as evidence for Alonso, surely it can for Riley...?

Personally, I think both may turn out OK. But I'm essentially an optimistic sort. I'm even starting to believe we may complete the season without going bust.

Still not sure about staying up, though.

[BWFC_Insane]

If Alonso can prove he isn't going to be a liability playing left back then I don't see why Ricketts can't go back to his original position at right back

We have Mears and Riley for right back. Why harm the development of a young lad who shows promise, by sticking another senior pro in his way?

Mears and Riley? Oh well that's RB sorted then. Promise as evidenced where, then?

Stoke at home, Riley looked good, we won 5-0 and he was taken off with a minute to go for a standing ovation. First choice? Maybe not but he's at the stage he needs games. Personally I think he'll make a better player (in England at least) than Alonso. Why stick Ricketts infront of him now, until at least he's had a go?

Mears will start I guess.

[Bruce Rioja]

Mears and Riley? Oh well that's RB sorted then. Promise as evidenced where, then?

Stoke at home?

If one game can count as evidence for Alonso, surely it can for Riley...?

At the risk of repeating myself again, I stated that I drew encouragement from the games leading up to the Blackburn game too.

[Bruce Rioja]

though in isolation, one game against terrible opposition does not fill me with confidence

Stoke at home, Riley looked good, we won 5-0 and he was taken off with a minute to go for a standing ovation.

Don't tell me, Stoke were brilliant on the day we beat them 5-0.

I wasn't at that game, but what I have seen of Riley is yet to fill me with confidence.

Though if that situation changes at least I'll happily admit it.

[Puskas]

Mears and Riley? Oh well that's RB sorted then. Promise as evidenced where, then?

Stoke at home?

If one game can count as evidence for Alonso, surely it can for Riley...?

At the risk of repeating myself again, I stated that I drew encouragement from the games leading up to the Blackburn game too.

Sorry - I probably wasn't paying attention...

On the downside for Alonso, he did look absolutely awful away at Fulham...

But I think you're right, and he does have something. I just hope we see it properly.

[BWFC_Insane]

though in isolation, one game against terrible opposition does not fill me with confidence

Stoke at home, Riley looked good, we won 5-0 and he was taken off with a minute to go for a standing ovation.

Don't tell me, Stoke were brilliant on the day we beat them 5-0.

I wasn't at that game, but what I have seen of Riley is yet to fill me with confidence.

Though if that situation changes at least I'll happily admit it.

I'll be happy if Alonso comes good. It'll mean Ricketts can play centre half which for me is his best position!

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'm still hopeful Alonso will come good, and he did indeed look the part against Blackburn - although as CAPS and others have noted, that was against a makeshift Rovers right flank, and I fear that decent opponents may expose his lack of defensive nous to the detriment of the benefits brought by his attacking prowess. However, I'm in a mood for slate-cleaning, and if he starts well, I'll be delighted - because as others have noted, Ricketts can do a job elsewhere. (Besides his defensive dexterity, I wouldn't be against trying the calm, two-footed Ricketts in a defensive midfield role - and I'm not one of those who thinks that's an option for any defender whose first touch isn't usually a shank into the stands.)

[irie Cee Bee]

though in isolation, one game against terrible opposition does not fill me with confidence

Stoke at home, Riley looked good, we won 5-0 and he was taken off with a minute to go for a standing ovation.

Don't tell me, Stoke were brilliant on the day we beat them 5-0.

I wasn't at that game, but what I have seen of Riley is yet to fill me with confidence.

Though if that situation changes at least I'll happily admit it.

I'll be happy if Alonso comes good. It'll mean Ricketts can play centre half which for me is his best position!

Not sure if its his best position, but he is certainly better there from what I have seen, than who we currently have playing in that position.

[Prufrock]

How many games did Ricketts actually play at CB? I remember him doing far better than expected there, I'm not convinced he actually did well enough to decide his best position suddenly isn't where he has played most of his career?

[officer_dibble]

For me...alonso is shite at full back. cant defend. he might make a better left or even centre mid. we dont needa left mid though. as gp points out petrov/wylde are handy there.

Mears will start as right back but I'll wager Riley will finish the season there. Just a hunch.

Mark Davies looking fat seems accepted. He wouldn't get in my first choice side anyway cos I would start 451/4231 with eagles behind...ngog or sordell.

I think coyle should sign a left back what can defend.

Im worried we still sound shite at defending set peices.

Andres seems to have slotted in nicely. Who partners him centre mid pre stu? I'd give it Vela on what I've heard but we shall see...

[Dr Hotdog]

At Wolves away last season Alonso was made to look pretty abject by Michael Khightly (sp). For a big lad with a clear lack of agility, mobility and acceleration it's all about reading the play and positioning - here's hoping he becomes adept at those attributes before long!

[thebish]

has alonso's court case gone away??

[Salford Trotter]

So when is Alonso's trial?

[thebish]

So when is Alonso's trial?

first game against burnley??

[Salford Trotter]

So when is Alonso's trial?

first game against burnley??

I'm not sure there'll be a verdict after that game though, i fear the jury will be out for some time

[steviewander]

Nice to have a game so close to me!