What's been learned from pre-season

[Wild Bill]

I haven't made it to any of the friendlies this season (other than the last 10 mins of the kids Vs City) so was wondering what we have learned from the games?

Seen a few video highlights and it looks like a continuation of last season with some good attacking footy and a crap defence? Is this about the long and short of it?

Who out of the new signings look decent?

[George Dawes]

1) Barky won't be played where he can do damage.

2) think we lack creativity in midfield, somebody who can thread through balls, maybe Dunn, if played as a number 10?

3) got better fullbacks, think the defence as improved just slightly mind you!

[KenH]

Same hoofball when things get tough. Though to be fair Winnard tries to bring the ball through on the ground. Edwards and Whitmore just kick it and hope, just like last year.

[bill ding]

Edwards is still going to panic when put under pressure.

[glagys]

That some of the best performances have been by the trialists who moved on
Wakefield looks ok going forward but easily gets caught out of position
Stockton could be a handful to some defences
Still feel we will struggle

[Gone_Shrimping]

That some of the best performances have been by the trialists who moved on
Wakefield looks ok going forward but easily gets caught out of position
Stockton could be a handful to some defences
Still feel we will struggle

Its possible one or maybe more of the trialists who have moved on could still come back if they fail to get decent offers anywhere.

I would have liked Jamie McDonald on our books as he looked like a Devitt replacement and he knew where the net is !

[Shrimpy]

That some of the best performances have been by the trialists who moved on

Since leaving us:

Ryan Croasdale has turned out for Fylde.
Deane Smalley has played for York.
Kellen Daly has played for Southport.
Jamie McDonald has gone on trial at Portsmouth (according to KendalShrimp).
Josh Carson has played for Linfield.

Dan Agyei is still at Burnley, no idea on Tom Kennedy or Harry Worley but Worley was on trial with Tranmere before turning out for us so maybe he'll go back there?

[KenH]

That some of the best performances have been by the trialists who moved on

The two friendlies on the first Saturday afternoon were far more entertaining due to having the triallists who mostly seemed to do their own thing and add a spark to the others. Since then, the other friendlies have been pretty boring affairs with being back to the same old, same old, with just a few different faces doing the same as the departed players did last season. Wakefield looked good the first time I saw him but has gone off since as has Turner.

[Trevor]

Learned? Nowt much. You never really do learn much from friendlies – though a manager might. We’ve seen lots of players look outstanding, then haven’t done it in the proper season. Others look okay then grow into real good players.
We try a few different formations and styles, then play something different when the season starts, sometimes it works, sometimes it does’nt. But the manager might get more out of it than us (we don’t know what he’s asked his team to do and how that has paned out).
For me as a fan, I just see it as a bit of a kick-about, have a glimpse at the odd triallist and get back into the swing of footy.

[RedRedWine]

Who remembers Dean Howell? He was the best thing since sliced bread one pre-season... then was a passenger during the season that followed.

Stockton has looked good - as he did at the back end of last season.

Still concerned about what has looked a leaky defence as the preseason has progressed - particularly the Halifax defeat in which from the highlights and what I've been told (I wasn't there) - we were outmuscled by a big man who caused havoc.

Looking forward for the serious stuff to start though!

[Trevor]

Howell was what I was thinking of. Also Phil Eastwood years back.

[Christies Child]

Not too much really other than I expect the same old defensive failures of seasons past still to be a nightmare.

No midfield powerhouse to dictate play nor take pressure of the defence and certainly no heading ability to win the heading battles in midfield.

Stockton looks good but will need a partner to benefit from his knock downs but I fear that is not in the management teams tactical play and so will struggle for goals.

We'll continue with Mr Sideways Fleming but hopefully Aaron will blossom into the midfield player we all know he's more than capable of.

Unfortunately we've seen the best of Kevin but I fear he'll still be one of the first on the team sheet rather than being used as an impact sub.

Would prefer to see a replacement for Edwards who hasn't improved with his distribution since last season.

No out an out speed merchant on the wings although Barks does his best on the right but certainly no replacement for Jamie.

On the plus side we've got 2 leaders on the pitch in Winnard and Rose both in critical positions...AND an excellent loan signing in Jack Dunn who could prove to be the new Jack Redshaw but with a bit more bulk assuming that he's not used as a sole striker having to search for crumbs if we persist with the hoof ball as previous seasons under Jim and Co.

[marky No.1]

Ouch... I hope we can find improvements in at least 2 or 3 of the above departments or we are doomed

[black morse]

Ouch... I hope we can find improvements in at least 2 or 3 of the above departments or we are doomed

Well at least CC sounds more hopeful than usual so it looks as if we'll be alright

[Jettyson]

"No out an out speed merchant on the wings although Barks does his best on the right but certainly no replacement for Jamie."
Jamie who? Devitt may have had several attributes but speed wasn't one of them.

Unless there is serious change in some capacity I see us in the brown stuff.

[Wild Bill]

So on balance would we say our current squad is on par with last season's?

[Christies Child]

So on balance would we say our current squad is on par with last season's?

In certain areas the players we've brought in are a slight improvement ie central defence but attack wise it's difficult to replace playmaker Jamie and I don't think we've brought in anybody to match his creativity and goal assist capability.

So on balance the current squad is probably not as strong as last season.....

However a more informed judgement after the first 6 games will probably be a better guide going forward.

[Shrimpy]

So on balance would we say our current squad is on par with last season's?

In certain areas the players we've brought in are a slight improvement ie central defence but attack wise it's difficult to replace playmaker Jamie and I don't think we've brought in anybody to match his creativity and goal assist capability.

So on balance the current squad is probably not as strong as last season.....

However a more informed judgement after the first 6 games will probably be a better guide going forward.

I've bolded who I would rather have. Bit of a mish mash as to whether we've upgraded or downgraded in my opinion.

Beeley - Wakefield
Dugdale - Winnard
Devitt - no real like for like replacement, Dunn & Turner are the closest
Goodall - Rose
Miller - Stockton
Wilson - Conlan
Parrish - Whitmore

[Wild Bill]

Yup sounds like Jim has recruited well given the circumstances. A slightly weaker squad could do slightly better if they don't underachieve.

For me it comes down to how well we defend as a team, because last season we were shocking.