Pre-Season Friendlies 2012

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Rather 3-3 and trying to win games than last season. So long as we try and win, then I'll be happy (well, providing we do get some results out of it!).

[Matt Collins]

Another point I've noted is about the formation. It allows us to play 2 up front without getting outnumbered in midfield, because the wide midfielders tuck in. But our full backs are often left very exposed. And being as they're not that good, this seems to be a problem!

[Matt Collins]

Looking at today's other pre-season games, I feel a little more confident about our own weaknesses in that game:

- Man Utd had to come back from 3-1 down to beat Hannover
- Sunderland lost to Leicester
- Southampton got tonked 4-0 by Udinese
- Swansea from 2-0 down to draw with Stuttgart
- Fulham lost at home to Charlton
- Newcastle got spanked 4-1 by Cardiff
- Norwich lost against Borussia M

So no time to be complacent, but it looks like plenty of our competitors have been shipping goals and most of those games were at home.

[luke25]

Another point I've noted is about the formation. It allows us to play 2 up front without getting outnumbered in midfield, because the wide midfielders tuck in. But our full backs are often left very exposed. And being as they're not that good, this seems to be a problem!

We definately need our two full backs to be quick and more importantly have Milner-esque stamina.

[eric woolban woolban]

Pre-season is all about getting ready for the start of the season.

Fitness, trying formations is all that matters.

I've seen us have good pre-seasons and then perform badly in the season.

I've seen us have bad pre-seasons and then perform well in the season.

[SoccerHQ]

I think today shows how our season will go. Just look at how many high scoring games Norwich were involved in last season aswell.

Can't see us keeping that many clean sheets but after last season people will surely welcome all out attacking football?

[eamonn]

Yeah, a hybrid of Norwich/Aston Villa 92/93 is something I could dig. 20th anniversary an'all so it's fitting.

Norwich played Dortmund today? Presumably that was arranged while Lambo was still their manager. Strange coincidence otherwise.

[Matt Collins]

Yeah, a hybrid of Norwich/Aston Villa 92/93 is something I could dig. 20th anniversary an'all so it's fitting.

Norwich played Dortmund today? Presumably that was arranged while Lambo was still their manager. Strange coincidence otherwise.

No the M stands for Munchengladbach rather than Dortmund . .

[Percy McCarthy]

I can see why you went with the initial.

[dave.woodhall]

Give us a.....

I'll access me outer garment.

[eamonn]

D'oh!

[Steve R]

...
I've seen us have good pre-seasons and then perform badly in the season.

I've seen us have bad pre-seasons and then perform well in the season.

I've always worked on the principle that the better the pre-season, the worse we are likely to be when the real stuff starts.

Well,  at least since 1969.

[Mister E]

Another point I've noted is about the formation. It allows us to play 2 up front without getting outnumbered in midfield, because the wide midfielders tuck in. But our full backs are often left very exposed. And being as they're not that good, this seems to be a problem!

We definately need our two full backs to be quick and more importantly have Milner-esque stamina.

Well, I think we had that yesterday with Lichaj, Stevens and Delph.
Used as wingbacks they played okay: when asked to defend deeper, they looked less sure and CC and Ron had to do some last-second covering for them; hence the number of corners conceded.

[fredm]

I think the way we are apparently set up at the moment leaves a lot of space down the flanks for the opposition to attack through.  You therefore need good and experienced full backs who are able to master what is thrown at them when not having much assistance by way of cover in front of them.  At the moment I am not sure we have those players.