Ongoing Defensive Frailties

[not3bad]

If it's just about fitness levels why is there a charge on the door?

Because it helps clubs like Wycombe, Luton and Crewe out financially.

So the Malaga game is free?

Unfortunatley not.

The Malaga game will be about more than fitness levels anyway.  That will be the week before the Prem starts.

[dave.woodhall]

I don't really see why there should be no charge because these games are about fitness, mostly.

Everyone knows the score before they buy tickets, that there will be 2,000 substitutions, that it's going to be very casual, that it's a non-competitive match.

I do think we should try to play more home friendlies, though. We seem to have at the very most one every other summer or something. Don't know if maybe that's to do with policing levels / other external factors, though.

Yep, just be grateful that its not like the NFL where Season Ticket holders have to buy there seat for pre-season games at the full price.

Evesham are charging full price for their pre-seasons.

[DB]

If it's just about fitness levels why is there a charge on the door?

Because it helps clubs like Wycombe, Luton and Crewe out financially.

So the Malaga game is free?

Unfortunatley not.

The Malaga game will be about more than fitness levels anyway.  That will be the week before the Prem starts.

You still have running costs to cover.

[mr woo]

Plus teh sides we are playing start their season earlier than ours don't they? So they will be ahead of us in terms of fitness.

True. But that doesnt really explain why West Ham beat Hamburg away last night while we couldn't beat three lower division German sides.

[PeterWithesShin]

Manure have lost to Yokohama F·Marinos & Singha All Star XI, and conceded in all 3 games so far, it happens in friendlies.

[dave.woodhall]

Plus teh sides we are playing start their season earlier than ours don't they? So they will be ahead of us in terms of fitness.

True. But that doesnt really explain why West Ham beat Hamburg away last night while we couldn't beat three lower division German sides.

We played there at the start of our pre-season training and do we know the respective strengths of the teams they both put out?

[Mister E]

However much we dress up the pre-season games, the defence is still a concern: that's the key message from the games I've seen.
What spooks me is that there does not seem to be the same concern from PL; although of course it's impossible to know whether he's scouring the world for a new CB.

[dekko]

However much we dress up the pre-season games, the defence is still a concern: that's the key message from the games I've seen.
What spooks me is that there does not seem to be the same concern from PL; although of course it's impossible to know whether he's scouring the world for a new CB.

He's already bought one?

[AVH87]

Having watched the second half last night I was not overly impressed with Clark, not for the first time.

However, I do feel he is our 4th choice CB now. Vlaar will partner Okore or Baker, I only see Clark playing if we have 2 CBs out injured.

[RussellC]

However much we dress up the pre-season games, the defence is still a concern: that's the key message from the games I've seen.
What spooks me is that there does not seem to be the same concern from PL; although of course it's impossible to know whether he's scouring the world for a new CB.

He's already bought one?

And given new contracts to 2 others.

I think we can safely say that Okore, Vlaar, Baker and Clark will be our CBs this season and we've just got to hope that their performances improve, and quickly!

[dekko]

However much we dress up the pre-season games, the defence is still a concern: that's the key message from the games I've seen.
What spooks me is that there does not seem to be the same concern from PL; although of course it's impossible to know whether he's scouring the world for a new CB.

He's already bought one?

And given new contracts to 2 others.

I think we can safely say that Okore, Vlaar, Baker and Clark will be our CBs this season and we've just got to hope that their performances improve, and quickly!

I think its also worth mentioning that CBs are a partnership, and the right combination can really improve otherwise poor players.

Also, I have really high hopes for Okore, but he's going to be having to adjust to a much much tougher league, which could take some time.  We shouldn't expect him to slot right into the team and magically fix all our defensive woes.

[Lee]

However much we dress up the pre-season games, the defence is still a concern: that's the key message from the games I've seen.
What spooks me is that there does not seem to be the same concern from PL; although of course it's impossible to know whether he's scouring the world for a new CB.

He's already bought one?

And given new contracts to 2 others.

I think we can safely say that Okore, Vlaar, Baker and Clark will be our CBs this season and we've just got to hope that their performances improve, and quickly!

.. and that worries me.

[bobdylan]

Most people seem to expect a right back to come in, it would be good if said player is equally adept at centre half too, a Micah Richards type player (but obviously not him) that would seem the most sensible approach to me, although God knows who there is in Europe that would fit this profile.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Most people seem to expect a right back to come in, it would be good if said player is equally adept at centre half too, a Micah Richards type player (but obviously not him) that would seem the most sensible approach to me, although God knows who there is in Europe that would fit this profile.

An out and out right back would be good - Lowton can also play CB, and if things don't improve once the season is underway it's possible he could fill that role.

[bobdylan]

Most people seem to expect a right back to come in, it would be good if said player is equally adept at centre half too, a Micah Richards type player (but obviously not him) that would seem the most sensible approach to me, although God knows who there is in Europe that would fit this profile.

An out and out right back would be good - Lowton can also play CB, and if things don't improve once the season is underway it's possible he could fill that role.

Whenever I've seen Lowton a centre half he doesn't look great, it's a bit like saying Cuellar can play right back, he can, but you wouldn't want to see him there.