Barclays Asia Trophy (27th-30th July 2011)

[N'Zimidy]

It's clear that we need a central midfield consisting of Bannan and Makoun. They hold onto the ball splendidly, they pass and move all the time and really ran the show for us in the last twenty minutes or so. It's my hope that we can get Bannan, Makoun and Ireland on top form as our central midfielders for next season. We would dominate possession, spread the ball all over the park and create some bloody good chances.

Gary Gardner looked very promising, Albrighton looks like he still needs fitness (still only two weeks into pre-season for him remember), Bannan was very good when playing in the centre, Clark looked solid enough for his 10 minute stint, Delfouneso just isn't going to cut it as a winger however.

I'm pleased enough. 

[richard moore]

It's clear that we need a central midfield consisting of Bannan and Makoun. They hold onto the ball splendidly, they pass and move all the time and really ran the show for us in the last twenty minutes or so. It's my hope that we can get Bannan, Makoun and Ireland on top form as our central midfielders for next season. We would dominate possession, spread the ball all over the park and create some bloody good chances.

Gary Gardner looked very promising, Albrighton looks like he still needs fitness (still only two weeks into pre-season for him remember), Bannan was very good when playing in the centre, Clark looked solid enough for his 10 minute stint, Delfouneso just isn't going to cut it as a winger however.

I'm pleased enough. 

I would say 'maybe'. I don't think you can be that definitive based on 20 minutes against a coasting Chelsea. Bannan is certainly emerging as the best of our young hopefuls along with perhaps Clark and Gardner showed encouraging signs. However, they will all have dips and surges in form during the seasons...

[Toronto Villa]

the trip will have been a worthwhile exercise. It allowed the squad to spend some time together. We played 2 PL teams as opposed to taking the easy way out as some other teams will do in pre-season. I mean, how concerned would you be as a Liverpool fan right now if you've just invested what they have without scoring a goal against Hull and Galatasaray and conceding 6. It was very tough conditions and the boys will be glad to come home to a more sedate climate.

For AM, he'll have learnt a lot about what he has and what he might need in the time left in the window. I don't think it's a great deal more, but I'd expect to see 2 or 3 more in, be they loans or permanent moves. More importantly he'll have got to know the players better, and they'll have got to know him and the newer staff.

[richard moore]

All good points TV, it is nice to see us playing competitive pre-season games, something we didn't use to do up to a season or two ago, or not enough anyway. Granted all the 'economics' around signing a player like Parker, but he or someone like him would make such a difference...

[fredm]

No question, and all credit, Ireland was determined to make something of his chance on the pitch. Yelling and cojoling but SO frustrated and eventually petulant. Sort of " I am too good for this lot".

Ireland needs to find space, demand the ball, have plenty of touches and grow into his role. He just couldn't get involved today, peripheral.

As I have said many times before, we have too many players who will not pass the ball to a team mate if there is an opponent within 10 yeards of him.  We are quite happy to bang long balls down the channels for forwards to chase and, hopefully, make something of.  Well it worked 4 seasons ago when Gabby and Ashley were young and sprightly but I am afraid it doesn't work today and either AM has got to get them out og that way of thinking or get rid and get players in who do.  Makoun is what I am talking about, always happy to receive the ball no matter under what circumstances.  I think Ireland could well be the same but we don't play that way.  I would like to have seen Makoun and Ireland together on the pitch for 20 or more minutes to see if they gel.

For those who are saying Gardner, Bannan etc looked good, please remember they came on when Chelsea were in "let's just knock it around and enjoy ourselves" mode.  I would not like to pass any judgement on their performance given the circumstances of the game when they came on.

[Shrek]

We looked like a team that is missing arguably it's 4 best players. NRC, Ashley, Downing and Walker.

Problem being they have all left the club with only one being replaced (N'Zogbia).

[Monty]

We looked like a team that is missing arguably it's 4 best players. NRC, Ashley, Downing and Walker.

Problem being they have all left the club with only one being replaced (N'Zogbia).

I'm not accepting that NRC was one of our best four players.

[darren woolley]

I thought Bannan did well when he came on so did Gardner he had some nice touches Bent looked good when he came on and should have scored Given played really well going to be a big keeper for us this season.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Glad Mcleish has now had chance to see the area`s we are weak in. Gabby`s control is sunday am like. Albrighton not ready along with Delph. Gardner, Makoun and Bannan tried to create and disrupt there play. I also hope he realises how much Dann would improve the defence .......

[TheSandman]

Would Lerner give him the money though if he decided he wanted to bring in say Dann and Parker?

[olaftab]

For Ireland to work in our team we need Makoun in the middle behind him Bannan to the side of him and  a ball holder upfront. However with Bent first choice I don't see how Ireland is  going to be effective.

[Holtenderinthesky]

Would Lerner give him the money though if he decided he wanted to bring in say Dann and Parker?

I very much doubt it.  That's why we have McLeish in the 1st place I reckon, he was probably the only manager available with Prem experience happy to work under such a tight budget.  We definitely need to strengthen, but we won't.

[N'Zimidy]

I would say 'maybe'. I don't think you can be that definitive based on 20 minutes against a coasting Chelsea. Bannan is certainly emerging as the best of our young hopefuls along with perhaps Clark and Gardner showed encouraging signs. However, they will all have dips and surges in form during the seasons...

We've needed a midfield that can control the ball, get into space and pass it around for years. There's still too many times that Collins or Dunne have been on the ball and either punting it downfield or giving it back to the goalkeeper to punt downfield. Makoun's a revelation in the sense that if you give him the ball from the back, 99 times out of 100 he will retain possession and get us moving forward. Bannan too will pick up the ball and pass it straight to one of our players in a better position. If we can get Makoun and Bannan in the centre of the park, we will run most games.

I think that there have been signs from this pre-season and last season that these two players have it in their locker to retain possession and get the team moving forward and ticking over. We just need to utilize their talents more often.

[citizenDJ]

I know I'm at risk of sounding like a Makoun cheerleader, but I've just watched back the last part of that game and Makoun's movement off the ball is so much better than Petrov and Reo-Coker's is/was. He's always moving, finding space, able to receive a pass.

Bannan and Gardner can learn a lot from him, hopefully.

[KRS]

Makoun, Bannan and Ireland will work together well...they are all good at spotting and playing quick incisive football but leaves our midfield very weak and lightweight. Repeating myself again, but Parker or Milner would compliment then well with a bit of grit and also similar passing/vision ability.

Its easy to see why Ireland would become frustrated when hes trying to orchestrate things but the players dont seem to be on his wavelength most of the time, however if he can create a good understanding with Bent then they should create goals between them.

The signing of N'Zogbia will see our attacking movement become quicker and the midfield will have to put in good shifts to support. Albrighton seems very one dimensional but with his crossing ability he doesnt necessarily need to beat the last defender. The Fonz, Gabby and Heskey are not wingers and should not be deployed as such.

AM mentioned that he will play formations and utilise the squad depending on the opposition, and that is the best way to approach this season from what we've seen so far. Its going to be a very up and down season with good wins and bad losses...with some great highlights and some piss poor performances.

edit:
The next couple of friendlies will be interesting with N'Zogbia in the team, and a clearer indication of how we will perform next season with attacking partnerships being developed, and the defensive unit becoming more settled.