Preseason assessment

[NeilInFrance]

How was it for you? Did you a get in some good practice in moaning?

I certainly have. Had a good strop when Auxerre scored the second goal and went off into the garden to pull weeds.

Had some angry rants about McNair too over the past two games. Nothing like moaning at a real Championship match, but it’s about getting through the 90 minutes (which I didn’t) isn’t it.

Feel really up for moaning for the start of the season possibly at my most pessimistic going into the first match for a long time.

 

[Thornaby90]

Look weak in the fullback positions, no real breakout player from the academy and we desperately need a striker.

Silvera has impressed the most out of the new signings.

 

[Smogonsea]

Feel like we are a worse team (currently) than we were last season. For me the transfer window should close before the season starts. We are waiting for the big boys to finish their business so we can have their scraps. But by that time we could already be playing catch up.

 

[Juninho twinkle toes.]

I wasn’t overly impressed at all, I think it’s going to be a long season; unless we replace, Archer, Giles, Ramsey & Akpom if he goes!

I noticed towards the end, Carrick & their manager disappeared out of site! Probably eating frogs legs, & drinking wine in the dressing room.

 

[Beverleyred]

Their Manager went berserk at the end!

 

[gravy173]

We’re not ready squad wise, it’s as simple as that, preseason has been a bit of a waste of time really. Hopefully we don’t drop too many points playing our second rate team before the September international window as it will likely be only after then when we will have our first choice XI ready

 

[Acklam_Lad]

The start of a season is what cost us last year and by the looks of it it’s going to do the same this season.

We wouldn’t be getting promoted with this current squad

 

[newyddion]

Dieng looks class

 

[Maccarone]

Disappointed to be honest ,after last season we have gone backwards, however if we get the right quality players in before the end of August then things may be different.

 

[kuepper]

Worrying

 

[aytonstrummer]

Goals , 5 of them in two games ... at both ends. Its gonna be a rollercoaster of a season

 

[homesickblues]

I think we have a squad that can stay up in the championship. That's the place to be.

 

[Alzi]

Carrick out by Christmas. Big Sam in to rescue us. Gibbos Tory mate Frank Lampard in next Summer to continue his bizarre manager cycle.

 

[Expat Smoggie]

Recruitment team has searched far and wide for players that based on preseason performances aren’t really going to add to much in the way of quality. It’s certainly a head scratcher especially when there’s players who are available (in the English leagues) as free agents who would add a lot more value.

 

[Defender 4x4]

We do not have the financial clout to push for the top two. Will be surprised if we make the play offs.

 

[Blf]

Nothing to get excited about. Thought we would do well to get top 8 or 9 with our current squad but news about Giles ,Archer and lack of financial clout makes me feel we will finish between 15th and 11th.

 

[BoroPhil]

It's pre-season so not much to be taken from it for me especially with a few new players bedding in and our injuries. Will reserve any judgement until after a few games.

 

[pierrequiroule]

My assessment - too much pessimism, not enough belief - so nothing new then.

 

[NeilInFrance]

My assessment - too much pessimism, not enough belief - so nothing new then.

It’s the way we were brought up. Expect disappointment and at least you can be happy when you are proved right ;-)

It is nice to see young people with a more positive mindset though.

 

[RavsDad]

Even allowing for the return of injured players we look well short of experience in all departments other than Keeper. A left back will hopefully be recruited as the 45 minutes from Coulson probably just confirmed what most already knew. At RB McNair had to do his fill in anywhere task. We don't have a midfield general other than Howson who, being kind is not as quick as he was. Hackney can't do it on his own and Barlaser is not the answer even if he can play the occasional pass. Crooks is agricultural. In short we are a soft touch in the middle whilst being wide open down the sides due to a lack of full backs. Up front there is some hope IF we keep Akpom along with Forss and Silvera develops into something like the level of Ramsey. Morgan Rogers looks like an excited puppy at present. With a month to go in the transfer window there is a lot of work to be done because right now this is well below last seasons level.