|
|
Post by banjogas on Jul 23, 2016 20:44:28 GMT
After watching the first half today it was totally obvious that Sinclair, Ollie Clarke and Gosling are players who have gone as far as they ever will. Swansea put out a very decent starting eleven today but with a large number of absentees was a long way from being their strongest team. Having said that their players were light years ahead of ours, as I already knew having seen them several times since my move to Camarthenshire a couple of years ago. An interesting warm up by them with all ten outfield players starting the game involved in a five a side passing game played at breakneck speed. It clearly showed how comfortable every player was on the ball and as soon as the ref set the game in motion the aforementioned three above were like rabbits in the headlights and left chasing shadows. Due to the weakness of our midfield the defence was exposed time and time again and 8-0 halftime would not have flattered them. Mildy made a couple of very good reflex stops when one on one, Leadbitter only managed to get forward once, likewise Brown. McChrystal and Kilgour were cruely exposed but battled on and improved as the game went on. Thought Moore looked decent, likewise Bodin, but Taylor was pretty anonymous due mostly to a lack of service. The halftime introduction of Lawrence, Lines. Mansell,James and Easter improved things considerably, Lawrence proved he is definitely a good footballer and looked much fitter and slimmer than when he arrived last season. They all combined well and I must say James looked an excellent acquisition. Puddy did well in goal with one really decent lowdown stop. Having said all above, one things for certain we will not find any side in league one within a country mile of Swansea. As far as I am concerned its not all gloom and doom and we may well find that several of our better footballers are more than capable at League One level. The average Swansea player is worth around 5million pounds ! Swansea are in the Premier League, most League One players will look below average against a side like that. Swansea looked like a team out to prove a point for their newish manager today . |
|
|
|
Post by markczgas on Jul 23, 2016 20:44:39 GMT
Our first choice midfield two and central defensive pairing both out meant we would be weak in the centre against full strength Swansea. Sinclair, clarke, McChrystal and gosling will be bench warmers this season. We certainly do need to strengthen in this area but if we are lining up first game with lockyer/hartley and lines/mansell we'll be fine. sorry to disappoint you but ........ no Fabianski, no Davies, no Williams, no Sigurdsson and probably a few others I can't remember ! |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2016 20:50:00 GMT
Our first choice midfield two and central defensive pairing both out meant we would be weak in the centre against full strength Swansea. Sinclair, clarke, McChrystal and gosling will be bench warmers this season. We certainly do need to strengthen in this area but if we are lining up first game with lockyer/hartley and lines/mansell we'll be fine. sorry to disappoint you but ........ no Fabianski, no Davies, no Williams, no Sigurdsson and probably a few others I can't remember ! Plus no Taylor, Ki, Montero. |
|
|
|
Post by banjogas on Jul 23, 2016 21:00:10 GMT
Mate in the old bill working today said the level of operation would have cost Rovers 50k.
I sure did notice horses and dogs, which I was surprised about about did think for a friendly was completely over the top .
Did anyone see trouble worth warranting such a high police Bill?
I doubt we made any money today.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2016 21:00:30 GMT
Based on what I have seen from the three over the last two seasons and what I saw today confirmed to me that league two/Conference is their level as far as I am concerned. It is as simple as that. Agree Bideford. Amazes me how people think Gosling is suddenly going to become a better player by stepping up a league. How does that work? Like you no doubt GGMI, we have both seen the odd flashes of excellence from the likes of Gosling, but that is it and certainly not enough to suddenly become a better player. Perhaps it is because he is a Gilbraltan international but having said that we all know the likes of Stirling being an England international and we all know what happened there! |
|
|
|
Post by CrispPusher on Jul 23, 2016 21:13:07 GMT
Mate in the old bill working today said the level of operation would have cost Rovers 50k. I sure did notice horses and dogs, which I was surprised about about did think for a friendly was completely over the top . Did anyone see trouble worth warranting such a high police Bill? I doubt we made any money today. Police training. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2016 21:15:07 GMT
well i thought that was what forums were about? if you make strong opinionated statements dismissing players dont be hurt if somebody responds with strong opinions of there own which just might not agree with your sweeping statements!! Not hurt in the slightest by your strong opinionated statements, your very welcome to them, but I certainly am not childish enough to make sarcastic comments about posters not knowing what league a team is in! i think several posters are forgetting we were playing a premiership team with what was frankly a fairly weak team and drawing unreasonable conclusions from the thrashing we took today ive never taken much notice of friendlys as experience tells me the results mean nothing much |
|
|
|
Post by gasandelectricity on Jul 23, 2016 23:00:40 GMT
After watching the first half today it was totally obvious that Sinclair, Ollie Clarke and Gosling are players who have gone as far as they ever will. Swansea put out a very decent starting eleven today but with a large number of absentees was a long way from being their strongest team. Having said that their players were light years ahead of ours, as I already knew having seen them several times since my move to Camarthenshire a couple of years ago. An interesting warm up by them with all ten outfield players starting the game involved in a five a side passing game played at breakneck speed. It clearly showed how comfortable every player was on the ball and as soon as the ref set the game in motion the aforementioned three above were like rabbits in the headlights and left chasing shadows. Due to the weakness of our midfield the defence was exposed time and time again and 8-0 halftime would not have flattered them. Mildy made a couple of very good reflex stops when one on one, Leadbitter only managed to get forward once, likewise Brown. McChrystal and Kilgour were cruely exposed but battled on and improved as the game went on. Thought Moore looked decent, likewise Bodin, but Taylor was pretty anonymous due mostly to a lack of service. The halftime introduction of Lawrence, Lines. Mansell,James and Easter improved things considerably, Lawrence proved he is definitely a good footballer and looked much fitter and slimmer than when he arrived last season. They all combined well and I must say James looked an excellent acquisition. Puddy did well in goal with one really decent lowdown stop. Having said all above, one things for certain we will not find any side in league one within a country mile of Swansea. As far as I am concerned its not all gloom and doom and we may well find that several of our better footballers are more than capable at League One level. This aligns well with my view of the game today. The second half in midfield looked a world apart from the first half and I'd be disappointed if O.Clarke, Sinclair or Gosling are getting starts over Lines, Lawrence and Mansell who look a lot more solid and capable of having a go of league 1. Feel we could do with an extra man in the centre, possibly someone who could push right and perform a Bodin type role, as sadly those guys just don't look like they will cut the mustard this year around. It's a shame, as they all are very likeable as individuals and have high work ethics but a team like Swansea will show you that it's about working smarter and more technically than necessarily harder like a Sinclair type will. I think we look strong on the wings with Byron MOore looking strong, montano a good option who is probably at his level, and Bodin able to return to his role on the right with Taylor agreeing to stay with us. I think our defence looked a lot worse than it necessarily is as a result, and I would point any questions over our goalkeepers towards the lack of midfield in the first half. We could possibly do with an extra centre back if Hartley, Lockyer or J.Clarke look like they aren't due back any time soon. Mcchrystal looks as if he belongs on the bench, and Kilgour a useful backup but far from ready for regular l1 football. Upfront I'm not really sure what Harrison is bringing to the team. Most games he fails to win the ball when chasing or up in the air, seems to lose it quickly whilst on it, and appears to be a weak link. That said he creeps in with a goal from time to time when you're not expecting it and can draw free kicks and penalties. Luke James looks promising and we know what Gaffney and Taylor are capable of. This is a reflection of having seen most preseason games so far. |
|
|
|
Post by stevek192 on Jul 23, 2016 23:43:00 GMT
Feel very similar about the game today and things in general. My personal feeling is that Puddy, Ollie Clarke, Gosling and McCrystal should all have been released along with Kilgour and Greenslade and which would have made room for 8 or 9 players to come in. In this day of players being available I see no point in having youth players until we have a proper Academy set up.
The way we set up very much relies on players being able to keep the ball when we get possession because we take so long to get the ball if we play a decent team who can pass a ball.
The team selection today against a good but nowhere near full strength Swansea side was always going to struggle and if we put out a similar side either against Cheltenham or in League 1 we will struggle as well.
The only thing I feel DC will have learnt from the last two friendlies is the players that are not going to be good enough. For me the players who should be starting should have been given more time together to blend as a unit. It is clear that with a couple of injuries we are really struggling defensively.
|
|
|
|
Post by WeAreTheGas on Jul 23, 2016 23:46:40 GMT
The worrying thing for me is that we kept the same style of play today as we have played the last two seasons- we don't mark at the back, we don't pass forward other than a big hoof from two centre halves Yeah, gotta hate it when your manager sticks with same style for the past two seasons and wins you back-to-back promotions. |
|
|
|
Post by mjhgas on Jul 24, 2016 2:09:48 GMT
Surely the point of playing a high class opposition in pre-season is that the rest of the season will seem like slow motion compared with today?
Next............
|
|
|
|
Post by fanboy on Jul 24, 2016 2:29:39 GMT
Jesus. No wonder I've been quite on her recently. We played a premier league side, ok maybe not full strength - but with plenty of top top players - and lost. Mainly as our players looked knackered at the start of the game. We drew the second half. Get a grip, it's a friendly, it quite literally means nothing. Just as our draw with Aston Villa means nothing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Topper Gas on Jul 24, 2016 4:49:52 GMT
Feel very similar about the game today and things in general. My personal feeling is that Puddy, Ollie Clarke, Gosling and McCrystal should all have been released along with Kilgour and Greenslade and which would have made room for 8 or 9 players to come in. In this day of players being available I see no point in having youth players until we have a proper Academy set up. The way we set up very much relies on players being able to keep the ball when we get possession because we take so long to get the ball if we play a decent team who can pass a ball. The team selection today against a good but nowhere near full strength Swansea side was always going to struggle and if we put out a similar side either against Cheltenham or in League 1 we will struggle as well. The only thing I feel DC will have learnt from the last two friendlies is the players that are not going to be good enough. For me the players who should be starting should have been given more time together to blend as a unit. It is clear that with a couple of injuries we are really struggling defensively. Why do the posters keep banging on about we should have released certain players when we all now why every player was offered a new contract? Now they are here isn't right they are at least given a chance to prove themselves in pre-season, where results are totally meaningless? As far as McChrystal I thought he had a good game against Villa so to say he should have been released based on yesterday's game is simple nonsense. Likewise why would you scrap the Academy when it's Wael attention to grow it as starting from scratch would be a massive task. |
|
|
|
Post by Topper Gas on Jul 24, 2016 4:51:31 GMT
After watching the first half today it was totally obvious that Sinclair, Ollie Clarke and Gosling are players who have gone as far as they ever will. Swansea put out a very decent starting eleven today but with a large number of absentees was a long way from being their strongest team. Having said that their players were light years ahead of ours, as I already knew having seen them several times since my move to Camarthenshire a couple of years ago. An interesting warm up by them with all ten outfield players starting the game involved in a five a side passing game played at breakneck speed. It clearly showed how comfortable every player was on the ball and as soon as the ref set the game in motion the aforementioned three above were like rabbits in the headlights and left chasing shadows. Due to the weakness of our midfield the defence was exposed time and time again and 8-0 halftime would not have flattered them. Mildy made a couple of very good reflex stops when one on one, Leadbitter only managed to get forward once, likewise Brown. McChrystal and Kilgour were cruely exposed but battled on and improved as the game went on. Thought Moore looked decent, likewise Bodin, but Taylor was pretty anonymous due mostly to a lack of service. The halftime introduction of Lawrence, Lines. Mansell,James and Easter improved things considerably, Lawrence proved he is definitely a good footballer and looked much fitter and slimmer than when he arrived last season. They all combined well and I must say James looked an excellent acquisition. Puddy did well in goal with one really decent lowdown stop. Having said all above, one things for certain we will not find any side in league one within a country mile of Swansea. As far as I am concerned its not all gloom and doom and we may well find that several of our better footballers are more than capable at League One level. This aligns well with my view of the game today. The second half in midfield looked a world apart from the first half and I'd be disappointed if O.Clarke, Sinclair or Gosling are getting starts over Lines, Lawrence and Mansell who look a lot more solid and capable of having a go of league 1. Feel we could do with an extra man in the centre, possibly someone who could push right and perform a Bodin type role, as sadly those guys just don't look like they will cut the mustard this year around. It's a shame, as they all are very likeable as individuals and have high work ethics but a team like Swansea will show you that it's about working smarter and more technically than necessarily harder like a Sinclair type will. I think we look strong on the wings with Byron MOore looking strong, montano a good option who is probably at his level, and Bodin able to return to his role on the right with Taylor agreeing to stay with us. I think our defence looked a lot worse than it necessarily is as a result, and I would point any questions over our goalkeepers towards the lack of midfield in the first half. We could possibly do with an extra centre back if Hartley, Lockyer or J.Clarke look like they aren't due back any time soon. Mcchrystal looks as if he belongs on the bench, and Kilgour a useful backup but far from ready for regular l1 football. Upfront I'm not really sure what Harrison is bringing to the team. Most games he fails to win the ball when chasing or up in the air, seems to lose it quickly whilst on it, and appears to be a weak link. That said he creeps in with a goal from time to time when you're not expecting it and can draw free kicks and penalties. Luke James looks promising and we know what Gaffney and Taylor are capable of. This is a reflection of having seen most preseason games so far. Harrison seems a good player to use from the bench, but pretty poor when started it's a bit disappointing he can't kick on with his career. |
|
|
|
Post by youmadethatup on Jul 24, 2016 5:48:57 GMT
The incentive for promotion was new contracts for all...this ensured they all pulled together right to the end. To me it's a good incentive and should always be in place.
It's a squad game and higher up the league's you go the bigger the squad you tend to have ,this allows room for last year's heroes to stay in the "squad" to be called on if needed . It may be that some of the players with new contracts may move on when the transfer window reopens if it turns out league one is a step too high at this stage in their career.
Clubs do not welcome injuries and so friendlies are never as full blooded as a real game . Had this been an FA CUP game I'm sure Swansea would not have had such a comfortable time on the ball. These games are just one step up from a practice game in training (which is why I feel they charge too much money for admittance).To me the home friendlies should be free to season ticket holders and £2 for adults who are supporters club members, all under 12 go free all other concessions that are in sc £1. General public £5.
By the end of September most of the squad will be very aware of whether they are suited to league one ,what they need to do to up their game and what the manager and coaches want from them. As I've mentioned before I expect a few signings in later August when DC can see how his team have coped in league one.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2016 6:02:57 GMT
Just a little reminder for everyone on here of a result last season before I hear anymore more of this "it was just a friendly crap" m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35216450Yes it was just a friendly but the core of the team showed they are simply not good enough for the higher stages than Div2 and I'd even say Ollie Clarke struggled in Div2 last season at times. When I say the Core I mean the central defenders and central midfield in the first half. It was like a hot knife through butter time and time again. Can anyone remember when Beckford and Kandol of Leeds came to the Mem and virtually retired Byron Anyhony in one game? Well this will happen to McCrystal soon. We are still handing out awards to Sinclair as well for running around like a headless chicken. The second half team have us a chance and will give us a chance but I see no future at all in players like Kilgour, Macca, Sincs and Ollie Clarke now unless they are happy to get major splinters. Gosling, I give a chance but I also think some of the others need to take note of Luke James effort. This lad will tear up DC's team sheet and cause him headaches and I think Taylor and others have a game on their hands with Luke. Yes it was only a friendly and I'm glad it was, I'd rather getting battered in these games than against Cardiff. But what it showed us is we have some players who will struggle like they did at Pompey and Accrington and for 70 minutes at Northampton. I guess Swansea fans said it was only a cup game when Oxford stuck 3 past them last season 🤔 |
|
|
|
Post by spiess1 on Jul 24, 2016 6:12:22 GMT
(Ahem) "Swansea, who made 10 changes, can now focus on Premier League survival...."
AND we can only hope that Luke doesn't scatter DC's torn-up team-sheet on the terraces.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2016 6:16:19 GMT
I'd also add Oxford only lost 2-1 to a very good Leicester side, the beauty of yesterday was it showed up a few players to DC yesterday before the season starts.
|
|
|
|
Post by youmadethatup on Jul 24, 2016 6:30:00 GMT
I'd also add Oxford only lost 2-1 to a very good Leicester side, the beauty of yesterday was it showed up a few players to DC yesterday before the season starts. It may also show DC where he needs to improve on his tactics and formations etc. The previous two seasons have definitely been a case of slow start ,DC works out how to'play' that division, team learns his plans ,success follows. This season will be as much about whether DC can learn how to play league one as it is whether the players can |
|
|
|
Post by bs9trymer on Jul 24, 2016 6:45:59 GMT
I'd also add Oxford only lost 2-1 to a very good Leicester side, the beauty of yesterday was it showed up a few players to DC yesterday before the season starts. To be fair DC has worked with these players for 2 years and I am sure that he is well aware of their abilities. DC has said that he wants to add 2 or 3 'quality' players before the season starts,we can only speculate which positions he wants to strengthen.
I don't go to home games so I cant say anything about yesterdays performance except some key players were missing through injury.
A lot of people on here saying that friendlies aren't worth worrying about, I went to Salisbury,Bath and Cirencester and I try to go to some of the practice games during the season and whilst results are unimportant I do expect to see professional footballers being able to control the ball and to pass to one of their own team.
Some of the squad will definitely struggle in the coming season,but IF the 2 or 3 'quality players' arrive and IF key players stay injury free there should be enough of a squad to do the job,which for me this season is consolidation..a cup run would be nice.
|
|
