Today's game

[black morse]

Nobody commenting on todays game?

[Freez]

Good work out, Pool look a decent side, we defended well, and scored with our first chance. Toums got caught for the equaliser and then some good saves kept us level.
However Phillips could have won it at the end!
Great to get a crowd back in!

[Zippy]

Selection headache No 1 which keeper ?, both bang on the money today I thought .

[Gone_Shrimping]

Good work out, Pool look a decent side, we defended well, and scored with our first chance. Toums got caught for the equaliser and then some good saves kept us level.
However Phillips could have won it at the end!
Great to get a crowd back in!

Is there an official figure for the crowd ?

[P/T Indie]

I think the crowd was 1700 with 600 from bpool.

Surprised no one has mentioned Sam's absence is he injured or on his way? he was warming up with the subs but never came on.

[Caged Lion]

Surreal atmosphere today. First game of near normal and a good vocal away contingent. The home end seemed light on numbers and hushed by comparison. However, it was so good to meet up with some regulars and wonderful to finally see what Stephen has assembled

Imo

Goalies, both good but Jokull would be my choice
Left back Gibson edged it for defensive ability
Right back … Cooney - my man of the match
Centre backs … both ok but I hope Sam will start at Ipswich
Midfileld! Toums yes, Wildig yes, Macalmont yes … all the subs in midfield showed by promise but obvs lacked experience other than Phillips who will become the player we knew once he finds his shooting boots
Forwards! Ayunga yes, Cole yes, McDonald yes, Gnajoua hmm yes

Enjoyed everything today, plus SR wearing a trackie and being vocal, pitch looks great, fans are happy

We are going to be ok! Onward!

[Little Shrimp]

Overall, a good counter attacking performance. First half was really excellent - we were superbly organised and scored a really lovely goal from a great move. Played through the thirds brilliantly for it. Second half got a bit hairy as Blackpool pressed harder and we changed up personnel a bit.

- The starting midfield (McCalmont-Toums-Wildig) was excellent and I expect them to start vs Ipswich.

- King Arthur had the odd moment but overall, his greatest contribution I felt was that he understood 'the assignment' from SR.

- O'Connor looks a great addition at the back, and Cooney is a magnificent beast.

- Ayunga looked very good in the 1st half. Him and Stockton have different skill sets - Stockton is obviously unbelievable at holding the ball up and bringing others into play, while Ayunga carries the ball a bit better and likes to take a man on. Both important skills to have in the squad.

[Keith]

Him and Stockton have different skill sets - Stockton is obviously unbelievable at holding the ball up and bringing others into play, while Ayunga carries the ball a bit better and likes to take a man on. Both important skills to have in the squad.

Were they both on the pitch together? If not, do you think they could be, and would they complement each other?

[Little Shrimp]

Him and Stockton have different skill sets - Stockton is obviously unbelievable at holding the ball up and bringing others into play, while Ayunga carries the ball a bit better and likes to take a man on. Both important skills to have in the squad.

Were they both on the pitch together? If not, do you think they could be, and would they complement each other?

Briefly in the second half - Stockton at centre forward and Ayunga right wing. Looks like we'll be playing 4-3-3 so I doubt they'll play consistently together, however I'm sure they'd provide a good threat as a forward pairing if the situation called for it.

[Ispyshrimp]

Thought todays game was good against a very good Blackpool side, lots of quality in that side and they passed the ball around really well but had little impact through the middle of our defence until the mistake 2nd half

Going forward i thought we were a threat and caused problems for Blackpool
looks like we are playing a lot more out from the back rather than long ball out from back although I thought both O'connor and Gibson struggled with that, O'connor I thought wasn't as effective as Sam who was on the bench the whole game and would like to see Sam partner up with Delaney at the back who i thought had a good game. Cooney was excellent today and glad we have him signed up for 2 years, looked like he continued where he left off last season.

Both Keepers were good today, a hard choice for number 1

Overall enjoyed being back and watching the Shrimps, looking like we have a good mix of lads who will give it a real good go in League 1, can't wait till next week COYS

[BerlinWaller]

A really good game to watch with both teams playing decent football. Blackpool were very good and looked really well coached. They played some lovely balls through the lines to their strikers who had some great movement.

We looked huge, some really big strong lads in our squad now. I was impressed with the centre backs and I think Sam will struggle to break that pair up. O'Conner seems really calm and assured and Delaney is a unit. I thought both widemen looked threatening with different strengths.

SR looks like a proper coach. Always instructing and at the players during the game.

Best rumour i heard is that we got a million for CMG and Luton are going to loan him back to us which is really nice of them.

[redrobo]

That was my third preseason game and each has been a better overall performance on the other considering the level of opposition.

Ayunga looks a good buy and will possibly be first choice next weekend as will be the centre back pairing of Connor and Delaney who was immense but slight concern that he appears to be only one footed. Not sure what to make of the non show of Sam but is it an indication that he could be on his way to a higher level...

Didn't see McPake at all so is he injured but our other loanees all showed promise.

Both our 'keepers impressed so as with other selections SR has a nice problem on his hands.

As for the season ahead ...as long as we finish outside the bottom 4 then that for me will have been a success and something to build on going forward.

Slight concern about the lack of support up front for Ayungo. An instance in the first half where he ran at their defense and was all alone with zero support and had to do it all on his own. Maybe something that SR will work on but last season Aaron was running into support areas and was able to contribute more than previous seasons with goals. Certainly an area that we need to work on.

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

Decent performance against a useful looking Blackpool outfit. We now appear to have strength in depth which will be handy when the games are coming thick and fast from Saturday onwards. Shame about Obikas injury and hopefully he can figure in the second half of the season.

Surprising Sam didn't get any game time. He was Mr Consistent last season so whether there is more to it only time will tell.

One thing I noticed was several large girders placed in the fenced off land between the Bartercard and Main stand. Don't recall seeing them previously. Anything to do with the proposed cover behind the Bartercard or am I reading too much into it??

UTS.

[glagys]

So yesterday’s showing was a good test for the lads, of the new boys I thought the two centre half’s we steady, Arthur had some good touches,,Jonah looks a handful,Alfie in midfield pulled the strings, I also thought we never saw enough of Wes,but to be fair the ball never really went down his side,but he was in the right place at the right to score, overall the team look solid and will be hard to break down.
Interesting to see the starting 11

[RapidShrimp]

Great run-out for the lads yesterday against a very talented side.

I echo what others have mentioned about the keepers - I’d probably side with Letheren due to his experience, but at this stage it’s impossible to separate them which is great for competition!

On the defence, Cooney was undoubtedly the Man of the Match, Gibson fairly solid defensively but struggled in possession, Delaney had a solid first half but looked considerably shaky in the second, O’Connor looked solid throughout. Greg Leigh, the Jamaican international, definitely has a different skill-set to Gibson, with his pace and power being much more evident. However I’d still expect Liam to start next Saturday.

Our midfield looks excellent - as others have mentioned, the starting 3 were superb, especially as Wildig grew into the game after a tough start. Toums got caught in possession for their goal, but it’s better to be making that mistake now than in a week’s time! I didn’t really notice Phillips for much of the time he was on the pitch - maybe a combination of his lack of pre-season and he’s known to drift out of games but then pop up with a goal or an assist which nearly happened in the dying minutes! McGloughlin certainly wasn’t afraid to put himself about at DM when he came on - he’s a solid L1 midfielder having spent the last few seasons with Wimbledon. Jones from Hull looked composed when he came on as well.

In the forward area it looks like we have some very exciting talents! Obviously Obika’s injury is gutting, but Ayunga looks a good addition, and McDonald & Gnahoua are going to be really exciting to watch with the runs they make and their willingness to drive at and take on opposition.

There were only two players I didn’t see yesterday, either warming up or actually getting minutes, and that was Obika and McPake. We obviously know why the former wasn’t there, but it looks like the latter may have picked up a knock which kept him out? I was really liking the look of him in previous games this pre-season.

For me, the XI would be: Letheren, Cooney, Lavelle, O’Connor, Gibson, Toums, McCalmont, Wildig, McDonald, Gnahoua, Stockton. Would’ve liked to pick Delaney for his left foot, but I wasn’t impressed at all by his second half performance, and he didn’t exactly do well against Chorley either. Would also go for McPake but seems like he’s out.

[marky No.1]

Both Keepers were good today, a hard choice for number 1

Noticeable that neither keeper was wearing No.1, maybe not decided yet?

Best rumour i heard is that we got a million for CMG and Luton are going to loan him back to us which is really nice of them.

Really enjoyed the game and glad to be back in the thick of it, some exciting games coming up.

Pitch looks tremendous

[Little Shrimp]

Great run-out for the lads yesterday against a very talented side.

I echo what others have mentioned about the keepers - I’d probably side with Letheren due to his experience, but at this stage it’s impossible to separate them which is great for competition!

On the defence, Cooney was undoubtedly the Man of the Match, Gibson fairly solid defensively but struggled in possession, Delaney had a solid first half but looked considerably shaky in the second, O’Connor looked solid throughout. Greg Leigh, the Jamaican international, definitely has a different skill-set to Gibson, with his pace and power being much more evident. However I’d still expect Liam to start next Saturday.

Our midfield looks excellent - as others have mentioned, the starting 3 were superb, especially as Wildig grew into the game after a tough start. Toums got caught in possession for their goal, but it’s better to be making that mistake now than in a week’s time! I didn’t really notice Phillips for much of the time he was on the pitch - maybe a combination of his lack of pre-season and he’s known to drift out of games but then pop up with a goal or an assist which nearly happened in the dying minutes! McGloughlin certainly wasn’t afraid to put himself about at DM when he came on - he’s a solid L1 midfielder having spent the last few seasons with Wimbledon. Jones from Hull looked composed when he came on as well.

In the forward area it looks like we have some very exciting talents! Obviously Obika’s injury is gutting, but Ayunga looks a good addition, and McDonald & Gnahoua are going to be really exciting to watch with the runs they make and their willingness to drive at and take on opposition.

There were only two players I didn’t see yesterday, either warming up or actually getting minutes, and that was Obika and McPake. We obviously know why the former wasn’t there, but it looks like the latter may have picked up a knock which kept him out? I was really liking the look of him in previous games this pre-season.

For me, the XI would be: Letheren, Cooney, Lavelle, O’Connor, Gibson, Toums, McCalmont, Wildig, McDonald, Gnahoua, Stockton. Would’ve liked to pick Delaney for his left foot, but I wasn’t impressed at all by his second half performance, and he didn’t exactly do well against Chorley either. Would also go for McPake but seems like he’s out.

Think you're pretty much spot on there RS! I wasn't hugely impressed by Delaney either - I think Blackpool sniffed him out in the second half and targeted him.

My assumption is that McPake had a knock - I spotted him in a full tracksuit, trainers and a coat so guessing he was injured.

I think my main gripe from yesterday was the role we put McLoughlin in when he came on. I don't think he suited it particularly well and he looked uncomfortable receiving the ball from the centre backs. He looked great in a more advanced role vs Chorley though.

Agree that the midfield to start with is probably the same that started yesterday - they were really excellent. And we still had some serious talent to come off the bench!

[glagys]

Also who could make out the withdrawn numbers on the substitute board?? player coming on was fine, but going off couldn’t make it out

[Gone_Shrimping]

Also who could make out the withdrawn numbers on the substitute board?? player coming on was fine, but going off couldn’t make it out

There wasn't a number on the board for players coming off. Just the number of the player going on.

[glagys]

Ah that explains it ta

[black morse]

Now counting down to Saturday's real action

[halfwayprawn]

Decent performance against a useful looking Blackpool outfit. We now appear to have strength in depth which will be handy when the games are coming thick and fast from Saturday onwards. Shame about Obikas injury and hopefully he can figure in the second half of the season.

Surprising Sam didn't get any game time. He was Mr Consistent last season so whether there is more to it only time will tell.

One thing I noticed was several large girders placed in the fenced off land between the Bartercard and Main stand. Don't recall seeing them previously. Anything to do with the proposed cover behind the Bartercard or am I reading too much into it??

UTS.

Having to wait to get piling done first for the girders at the back of the home stand.

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

Decent performance against a useful looking Blackpool outfit. We now appear to have strength in depth which will be handy when the games are coming thick and fast from Saturday onwards. Shame about Obikas injury and hopefully he can figure in the second half of the season.

Surprising Sam didn't get any game time. He was Mr Consistent last season so whether there is more to it only time will tell.

One thing I noticed was several large girders placed in the fenced off land between the Bartercard and Main stand. Don't recall seeing them previously. Anything to do with the proposed cover behind the Bartercard or am I reading too much into it??

UTS.

Having to wait to get piling done first for the girders at the back of the home stand.

Yeah appreciate that. No doubt it will be a large construction project which would be best carried out in the close season because we can't have fans wandering through a building site. It's just that after a lot of talk for the last few seasons, this is the first positive sign of something actually happening..... maybe. It could also be that the girders are earmarked for something else altogether. However they do look roughly the size which will be required for the roof.