Walsall Friendly: Match Thread

[darren woolley]

A good run out for the boys I enjoyed watching it.

[dave shelley]

Did hogan come on or is he part deal with cash for Maupay  ?

He came on with all the others on 70 minutes and had a goal disallowed for offside.

Which in fairness he took very well and it highlighted what his game is all about, playing off the shoulder of the last man.  He just hasn't done it enough.

[Clark W Griswold]

Last 2 friendlies; Wes on the pitch 105mins, Villa score 6, he scores 2 and assists 2. Wes off the pitch 75mins Villa score none.
It is fair to say that he had better players around him for the 60 mins last night vs the last 30 mins, but even so....

[sirlordbaltimore]

Decent game last night with barely any bad performances from our lot.

One player that did impress me was RHM when he came on. Looked a different player. Confident, good touch (apart from the wayward shot) and looked /hungry/eager. Great to see him finally blossoming.

Green on the otherhand still continues to infuriate me with his lack of awareness, plenty times last night he could've run into gaps to receive a through ball but just stood out wide slowing the whole thing down. Then the one time he did look like he'd got some belief he bursts in and hits the bar. He HAS to do that far more often or he's going to end up a lower league player who never reaches his potential.

[Hookeysmith]

From watching on my phone last night

Kalinic - Really hard to judge as he had literally nothing to do - could do nothing about their goal

Guilbert - Not a lot to measure on defensively due to opposition but his storming runs down the wing will stretch a lot of teams this year - look a great find and already looks like the starter for the position

Engels - composed and likes to play the ball

Mings - as expected - majestic

Targett - Nothing really to report other than seemingly steady - did not look threatening going forward but Green does not help with indecision at times

Jack - walked it - great understanding with any player around him - lovely classy goal

Conor - played a lot deeper but did the unspectacular work well

Angela - Tidy, nice touches and kept momentum going

Green - one glimpse of star quality surrounded by the usual lot of "meh" more should really be expected - cannot see him getting a regular bench seat unless we have a injury crisis

Jota - MOTM - I have likened him to David Silva for his ghosting in - the first goal was classis of this. Starts the move off in his own half then appears from nowhere to knock in the cross - already has a great understanding and awareness of his players around him. Call the Police as we totally robbed the dogshite and could be the signing of them all.

Wesley - His movement and power is superb - his goal was great evidence of slipping off the last man to be found telepathically by Jota and the first time finish was class. Took his pen with skill and conviction. This could be another that was well researched by the club.

Subs

RHM - looked lively
Davis - Not a wide player
Hogan - did not notice he came on until disallowed goal (in fairness the single camera position did not help track his movements)
SJM - Looked busy but no threat going forward
Sulliman - no real test
Hause - as Sulliman
Bree - Nothing of note
Taylor - as Bree
Birkar - kept the flow going well I thought

Obviously Walsall huffed and puffed but were no real test for most of our players. But what we did - especially first 70 minutes was pretty decent

Interesting to hear a blog on You Tube by 2 Walsall fans who said we were light years ahead - always nice

[fredm]

Am I correct in thinking that there is only the match against Charlton and then the trip to Leipzig before the season starts?  If so I am a little worried that we may be undercooked regarding the opposition we will be facing in the PL.  Yes last night was 70 minutes of running around but defensively we were not challenged at all and the attackers were not facing and having to manipulate decent defenders.  Hope I am wrong but just have this nagging fear that initially the step up will be a bit of a shock to the system for some of them.

[TelfordVilla]

fredm, you should just grow a pair. Have some faith, these are not schoolboys coming up against seasoned pro's, it's just the Premier League for christs sake.

[kipeye]

Any highlights? Been away a couple of days and didn't get to see any of it.

[Dr Butler]

Any highlights? Been away a couple of days and didn't get to see any of it.

the highlights are on youtube Kipeye 

UTV
The Doc

[Mister E]

Am I correct in thinking that there is only the match against Charlton and then the trip to Leipzig before the season starts?  If so I am a little worried that we may be undercooked regarding the opposition we will be facing in the PL.  Yes last night was 70 minutes of running around but defensively we were not challenged at all and the attackers were not facing and having to manipulate decent defenders.  Hope I am wrong but just have this nagging fear that initially the step up will be a bit of a shock to the system for some of them.

I think there is bound to be a bit of a step-up issue initially. We'll deal with it, though, because Terry can add that much-needed experience and Smith seems sensible enough to be able to anticipate it and manage it. We've also hired a number of experienced internationals who will know all about the gap.

[kipeye]

Cheers Dr. B

[colin69]

Only watched it on the YouTube channel but was very impressed. Gilbert looks the real deal. Thought RHM looked very good also when he came on.

[in exile]

I was pleased with the whole game.
Hepburn-Murphy has filled out more by the look of it.
Sadly, I don't think Green or O'Hare are going to cut it with us (I hope I'm wrong though)

[ktvillan]

Am I correct in thinking that there is only the match against Charlton and then the trip to Leipzig before the season starts?  If so I am a little worried that we may be undercooked regarding the opposition we will be facing in the PL.  Yes last night was 70 minutes of running around but defensively we were not challenged at all and the attackers were not facing and having to manipulate decent defenders.  Hope I am wrong but just have this nagging fear that initially the step up will be a bit of a shock to the system for some of them.

fredm, you should just grow a pair. Have some faith, these are not schoolboys coming up against seasoned pro's, it's just the Premier League for christs sake.

I think Fred makes a very fair point. When we face Spurs, for instance, they will have warmed up against, and beaten,  some of the top teams in Europe.  Leipzig are a step up but I also think at least one more top level pre-season opponent would have been better preparation for what's to come.

[VinnieChase84]

As much as i really want him to succeed, Green would have been more suited playing for Walsall against us the other night