Pre-Season Friendlies 2012

[pauliewalnuts]

Well, that was entertaining fare. Some thoughts ...

KEA and Delph in the middle combine very well. I still worry about Delph's tendency to go in a bit over the top, but these two look a decent pairing.

Holman - pretty much anonymous.

Weimann and Bent - plenty of movement up front.

Clark - he really is a very good footballer, lovely swivel and shot for the goal.

Of Lichaj and Stevens, Stevens impresses me most, he looks more composed on the ball.

Vlaar looks solid, slightly tendency to wander up the pitch, mind.

N'Zogbia for me looked pretty poor. I thought he was a good signing, and he's proved at Wigan that he's a good player, but he's shown pretty much zero since joining us, and I haven't seen anything this pre-season to persuade me he's going to be any different this season.

[Olneythelonely]

N'Zogbia has looked much better. Delph and El Ahmadi looking very good together. I'm going to put a bet on Holman being our Player of the Season.

[pauliewalnuts]

My money would go on KEA for that. He looks a very competent player.

[olaftab]

Number 26 Weimann not Herd ... Too much sun today!

[Olneythelonely]

Holman - pretty much anonymous.

I couldn't disagree with that more. I think he's been very good, all over the park. Agree with most of your other comments though. Except I think N'Zogbia has looked pretty useful.

[Matt Collins]

Heard has been our best player.

Eh?

Positives:

2 goals. decent possession and playing ourselves out of tricky situations at the back. Delph very composed. KEA good in patches. Holman generally. Centre backs reading of the game

Concerns:

Only really had 3 chances, compared to more for Bremen. But that's probably ok from an attacking pov
Defensively look very vulnerable I think, including from set pieces
CNZ running into blind alleys
Full backs look vulnerable

[JJ-AV]

Warnock must be off pretty soon. Hutton was frozen out without an immediate move, but we have other right backs. If he was here next Saturday he would be in the team (Warnock) so he must be gone. Hopefully his replacement is equally as close.

[bertlambshank]

Holman's running off the ball is very good.years since we had someone do that.

[Olneythelonely]

We have to remember that Vlaar and Clark have played 135 minutes together. I think they'll prove to be a very good partnership.

[pauliewalnuts]

That Aaron Hunt for them looks like he can hit a free kick.

[pauliewalnuts]

Oh, good half time music, too.

[pauliewalnuts]

Scratch that, it's some horrid eurodisco version of what I thought it was.

[Mister E]

Holman - pretty much anonymous.

I couldn't disagree with that more. I think he's been very good, all over the park.

You're right, Lonely.

[PeterWithesShin]

Bah humbug at not having a match stream to watch.

[Mister E]

That Aaron Hunt for them looks like he can hit a free kick.

Yeah, looks like a good midfielder ...