Pre-season Friendlies Match Thread

[curiousorange]

Final point. A week before the season starts, if we have to tape Ashley Young's knee up to get him through a fecking friendly don't bloody play him. He is far too important to piss about with, an a major frustration over the last 2-3 years with O'Neill is him playing players who are clearly carrying a knock, but doing it pre season is lunacy.

The way Ash gets kicked about and/or falls over, it will be a miracle if that boy goes through his career without a major break or fracture.

[achilles]

Final point. A week before the season starts, if we have to tape Ashley Young's knee up to get him through a fecking friendly don't bloody play him. He is far too important to piss about with, an a major frustration over the last 2-3 years with O'Neill is him playing players who are clearly carrying a knock, but doing it pre season is lunacy.

What was that all about, why did he have his knee taped up?
Surely MON isn't that stupid as to be playing an injured player in a pre-season friendly?

[eamonn]

Brian Little thinks Albrighton will probably struggle in the Prem at the moment.

Heskey was sluggish, possibly on account of his late holidays but he always looks so laboured. Because we're not a side who are good at keeping possesion in the opposition's half for the amount of times he holds it up and passes it back to someone, equally he often takes the pace out of our breaks by stopping and looking or just falling-over.
Nice bloke and a tryer but we'll never progress with him as a regular striker for us.

[TheSandman]

Final point. A week before the season starts, if we have to tape Ashley Young's knee up to get him through a fecking friendly don't bloody play him. He is far too important to piss about with, an a major frustration over the last 2-3 years with O'Neill is him playing players who are clearly carrying a knock, but doing it pre season is lunacy.

The way Ash gets kicked about and/or falls over, it will be a miracle if that boy goes through his career without a major break or fracture.

My dad reckons that he won't have that long a career before something goes seriously wrong in terms of injuries.

I'm not sure I agree but it's what he thinks.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Final point. A week before the season starts, if we have to tape Ashley Young's knee up to get him through a fecking friendly don't bloody play him. He is far too important to piss about with, an a major frustration over the last 2-3 years with O'Neill is him playing players who are clearly carrying a knock, but doing it pre season is lunacy.

What was that all about, why did he have his knee taped up?
Surely MON isn't that stupid as to be playing an injured player in a pre-season friendly?

Just maybe the England manager requested he play so he could get a good look at him... same with Warnock who had got stuck in traffic on way to game.

[Ozzjim]

Interestingly Young for looking poor (well injured half the time!) played through the two most incisive balls of the night, and one of the best bits of skill in the box almost creating an opening. Heskey was not offside for the through ball second half and Carew lacked the pace to beat the defence first half, but essentially on a night where he was clearly under par, Young created a number of opportunities still.

[sid cowans10]

just got back home the thing that pisses me off is why after some really nice play in midfield we get it wide and when the winger (whoever it my be) only has 1 striker to pick out i can count at least 4 times this happened nobody busts a gut to get in there

[TimTheVillain]

Disappointing Downing I thought, apart from the free kick.

He really does need a confidence boost and those going in would really help......

[Dante Lavelli]

just got back home the thing that pisses me off is why after some really nice play in midfield we get it wide and when the winger (whoever it my be) only has 1 striker to pick out i can count at least 4 times this happened nobody busts a gut to get in there

This is what I hope Ireland can bring to the picnic.  He seems to have that canny knack of arriving - platt like - into the box.  

My reservation is whether he tracks back enough to be in central two in midfield.  However if he plays just behind a striker a la Young tonight, then I think we'll be saying "Milner who", this time next year...

[Risso]

NRC looked good tonight I thought, as did Albrighton.  Downing's final ball was as disappointing as ever, so much for the mythical "full pre-season".  Heskey was as pointless as ever.

[Matt Collins]

Why did Little think Albrighton would struggle? I was impressed with him today.

[sid cowans10]

totally agree dante maybe another striker too

[Dante Lavelli]

totally agree dante maybe another striker too

The problem with adding another striker is it will necessitate the use of just two central midfielders or less width.  

With MON's obsession with two out and out wingers I think we need an extra body in the centre or a second striker than is willing and able to drop into CM.

[Pete3206]

I didn't see much wrong with Downing tonight. He put some decent crosses in. It's not his fault there was always only one claret and blue shirt in the box against three or four Valencia players.

I certainly thought he played better than Ashley Young.

I also think Albrighton will get a lot games this season. I was impressed by his contribution.

Heskey - someone please end the nightmare.

[JUAN PABLO]

Just got in, proably saw the game different to you lot as I was pissed...


why the fook we need a RB , Luke Young and Beye were very good .. and these guys can play different positions when needed.

NRC was very good in the middle for me and Albrighton had a great game, Start him next week...

The rest did ok , nothing spectactular.......      Downing, again, just dont to it for me, good free kick at the end but come on man,  give me  some claret and blue bollocks..

some good young uns coming through and we desperate need creativity and a goal scorer......  


Lets hope MON spends the Milner money well....  and Ireland would be great, if we can get him...