Pre-Season Friendlies

[TB]

Not sure why the Mail piece thought any mention of Crystal Palace winning against the same team 13-1 has any relevance. Unless, of course, they're just trying to sneer and on the wind up.

They didn't bother to mention that GAK were playing in the 7th division at the time either... I wonder why.

[Lescottstweets]

Not sure why the Mail piece thought any mention of Crystal Palace winning against the same team 13-1 has any relevance. Unless, of course, they're just trying to sneer and on the wind up.

The only relevance I can see is that we were able to keep a clean sheet and Palace couldnt

[bones.]

I have a spare ticket for the friendly at Bristol Rovers next wednesday, I've missed the deadline for returns so if anyone can use it they are welcome to it for nowt (just don't want it to go to waste)..  Let me know soon if you want it so I can put it in the post in plenty of time..

[Chris87]

Just bought a ticket for the Telford match so will be heading over there on Saturday.

[bobdylan]

I take it that Stan still lives in the area

Lapworth I think.

[charleeco7]

Going to go to either of the two games on Saturday but not sure which one is likely to have the most first team playing. Telford or Worcester game, anyone any thoughts? Live roughly equal distance between them both.

[dave.woodhall]

Going to go to either of the two games on Saturday but not sure which one is likely to have the most first team playing. Telford or Worcester game, anyone any thoughts? Live roughly equal distance between them both.

Telford's a better ground, higher standard opposition and two quid cheaper.

[KevinGage]

I'm more saying his ability is what is in his head. The fitness piece is critical for it all to come together. He's a smart player and one who didn't rely on immense pace or bursts of energy during games.

I sort of get what you mean, but there is fit and then there is football fit.

JPA never relied at speed at his best, but when he came back after is knee injury, he was usually a yard off the pace.

Bent and Dublin were never the same after their injuries and so on. At that is guys who were never out of the loop training-wise, once their injuries healed. That said, you could make an argument that Stan might still have some more miles in the tank because he HASN'T been going flat out with training and games for the past four years.

I think it is possible he could come back and make some contribution, which is amazing in itself.  But we'll have to temper our expectations.

[PeterWithe]

I take it that Stan still lives in the area

I have seen him a few times recently when I'm dropping the kids at school so I'd guess he lives around Sutton or Four Oaks.

[Toronto Villa]

I'm more saying his ability is what is in his head. The fitness piece is critical for it all to come together. He's a smart player and one who didn't rely on immense pace or bursts of energy during games.

I sort of get what you mean, but there is fit and then there is football fit.

JPA never relied at speed at his best, but when he came back after is knee injury, he was usually a yard off the pace.

Bent and Dublin were never the same after their injuries and so on. At that is guys who were never out of the loop training-wise, once their injuries healed. That said, you could make an argument that Stan might still have some more miles in the tank because he HASN'T been going flat out with training and games for the past four years.

I think it is possible he could come back and make some contribution, which is amazing in itself.  But we'll have to temper our expectations.

In a football context is a knee injury worse than the illness suffered by Stan?

[PeterWithe]

I think that any 37 year old making a comeback after 4 years is going to struggle at such a high level of competition, fantastic PR from the club though, credit where its due.

[andyh]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to go the Middlesboro friendly because I don't want to go to a game where we are considered a warm up match for one of the Premier League 'big boys'.

Middlesboro.......FFS !!   

[saunders_heroes]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to go the Middlesboro friendly because I don't want to go to a game where we are considered a warm up match for one of the Premier League 'big boys'.

Middlesboro.......FFS !!   

I agree. Also I don't understand the clamour for home friendlies during pre season unless Real Madrid are coming to town. It's Middlesbrough for crying out loud.

[dave.woodhall]

I'm never that bothered about pre-season opponents. I didn't join the chorus of adulation when we played Inter in 2007 and I'm not beating myself up that we're playing Boro now. One thing I do know, though, is that the latter will give us a far more relevant warm-up now than the former could, no matter how big the crowd or glamorous the opposition.

[Clampy]

I'm never that bothered about pre-season opponents. I didn't join the chorus of adulation when we played Inter in 2007 and I'm not beating myself up that we're playing Boro now. One thing I do know, though, is that the latter will give us a far more relevant warm-up now than the former could, no matter how big the crowd or glamorous the opposition.

You kind of beat me to it. We're playing a team whoo were playing in our league a few months ago so in a way, it makes sense. I'm fine with it.