Pre-Season Friendlies

[dave shelley]

Thanks Dave, I appreciate it.

[cdbearsfan]

Who played well for us?

[Dave]

Lescott looked like our best defender by a mile. All of Hutton, Okore and Elphick had pretty ropey moments. Bennett did nothing wrong. Cissokho was normal, nothing got past him, didn't do a thing right offensively.

Grealish and Ayew the pick of the attackers. Ayew spent too long too deep, but was the only player who ever looked like scoring. Grealish was more involved than pretty much anyone else but never looked like picking the right ball at the edge of the box.

Gana looked decent. Tshibola looked comfortable for that level, but wasn't really tested. Westwood looked better than Gardner did in that position.

[Steve67]

Still a lot of work to do then. Still some money to be spent on the right players. Amavi and Traore to come back at left back and wide respectively, but we need the extra creativity in the middle of the park and a good striker. 

[Phil from the upper holte]

Saw the goal on ssn all too similar to last year

[cdbearsfan]

Cheers for the report Dave.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Hmm so for folks that were there how do you feel we looked against Bristol City? Both squads are in the same bit of pre season and both are playing in the same league (Bristol City 18th last season). Thoughts?

[kippaxvilla2]

We need a clearout - this has been obvious for a very long time.  And quick.  The season starts in what two and a half weeks.

[SoccerHQ]

Hmm so for folks that were there how do you feel we looked against Bristol City? Both squads are in the same bit of pre season and both are playing in the same league (Bristol City 18th last season). Thoughts?

We were playing a team who were in league two last season albeit promoted.

[DeKuip]

We need a clearout - this has been obvious for a very long time.  And quick.  The season starts in what two and a half weeks.

The only way we can clear out is by selling players, and the only players who other clubs want will be the ones we want to keep.
Do we accept offers below what we want or hold out for more, as is reported the situation with Sinclair?
We'll be offering BOGOF deals by the end of August and throwing in Green Shield stamps as well.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Hmm so for folks that were there how do you feel we looked against Bristol City? Both squads are in the same bit of pre season and both are playing in the same league (Bristol City 18th last season). Thoughts?

We were playing a team who were in league two last season albeit promoted.

Ah thank you! I am an idiot. Wrong team

[kippaxvilla2]

We need a clearout - this has been obvious for a very long time.  And quick.  The season starts in what two and a half weeks.

The only way we can clear out is by selling players, and the only players who other clubs want will be the ones we want to keep.
Do we accept offers below what we want or hold out for more, as is reported the situation with Sinclair?
We'll be offering BOGOF deals by the end of August and throwing in Green Shield stamps as well.

A spectacular losing mentality doesn't become a winning one all of a sudden.  There are half a dozen or so players that have a serious attitude-ability issue.  They need to be moved on and at a loss if necessary.  As for the ones we want to keep then ultimately it's entirely up to us (with the possible exception of Gueye) as to whether we cash in or not.

[TonyD]

Was in the home end.   Very cold in the end.  Not T shirt weather.  We looked slow and lacked invention.   Poor quality on both sides.  Jack looked lively but didn't seem to want to take on and beat players.  Same old shit TBH.

[kippaxvilla2]

Over 1,000 Villa fans there tonight apparently.  That is incredible.

[TonyD]

1,300 they said at the end.