Pre-Season vs Chesterfield (A)

[Legion]

Eh? What did you say?

[Clampy]

business as usual!, cracking defence! When Vlaar goes to Southampton we will really be in trouble!

A bit over the  top really, unless you're being sarcastic.

[Goldie.7]

Is anyone's sound playing up?

Not for me.

[supertom]

They're getting a lot of joy on Bennett's side. He's not very good is he? Not very good at all. There seems to be zero communication between Bennett and Janoi.

It's nice getting a footballing lesson from Chesterfield.

[Clampy]

Guzan looks a bit iffy so far.

[supertom]

Guzan looks a bit iffy so far.

Possibly a bit of rust, but to be fair to him he's already made about 5 saves.

[pauliewalnuts]

Guzan at least has the excuse he's only just back in training.

The rest of them, though, I appreciate they're mostly kids, but they're looking firmly second best tonight. As said by others, Bennett is having a hard time. I am still of the opinion he's nothing like good enough.

[supertom]

I'm not entirely sure what we gain by playing such a young side tonight. We need to be building the fitness and cohesion of our first team. There's a lot of our U-21's playing tonight, but we have U-21 games for them to play. I don't envision Burke, Donacien, Johnson or Carruthers being near the first team to be honest. I could understand giving 1-2 of them some game time, but not quite so many. We need to be building the fitness of Bent etc.

[pauliewalnuts]

I'm not entirely sure what we gain by playing such a young side tonight. We need to be building the fitness and cohesion of our first team. There's a lot of our U-21's playing tonight, but we have U-21 games for them to play. I don't envision Burke, Donacien, Johnson or Carruthers being near the first team to be honest. I could understand giving 1-2 of them some game time, but not quite so many. We need to be building the fitness of Bent etc.

I entirely agree. On the surface of it, it's a bit odd.

[Clampy]

I'm not entirely sure what we gain by playing such a young side tonight. We need to be building the fitness and cohesion of our first team. There's a lot of our U-21's playing tonight, but we have U-21 games for them to play. I don't envision Burke, Donacien, Johnson or Carruthers being near the first team to be honest. I could understand giving 1-2 of them some game time, but not quite so many. We need to be building the fitness of Bent etc.

In fairness, most of the first teamers have only been back in the country since Sunday and they all fly out to Holland at the weekend and there's still two friendlies to play after that.

[supertom]

We're getting a grip now. Gardner is showing his quality and orchestrating. Could be a big season for GG.

[supertom]

I'm not entirely sure what we gain by playing such a young side tonight. We need to be building the fitness and cohesion of our first team. There's a lot of our U-21's playing tonight, but we have U-21 games for them to play. I don't envision Burke, Donacien, Johnson or Carruthers being near the first team to be honest. I could understand giving 1-2 of them some game time, but not quite so many. We need to be building the fitness of Bent etc.

In fairness, most of the first teamers have only been back in the country since Sunday and they all fly out to Holland at the weekend and there's still two friendlies to play after that.

I'd have certainly been playing Richardson and Senderos for a half, to let them settle in the side. Particularly Senderos who joined up a little later. 45 mins wouldn't have hurt them I don't think.

[pauliewalnuts]

Definitely much better the last ten minutes.

[garyshawsknee]

We're getting a grip now. Gardner is showing his quality and orchestrating. Could be a big season for GG.

With us having a really poor set of midfielders, if it doesn't happen this season for GG, I fear it never will.

[Matt C]

Perhaps he's having a final look at some of those younger players before deciding whether to keep them as part of the squad or loan them out.