| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! 11:06 - Aug 3 with 466 views | Nutkins_Return |
Feels a lot of negativity at the moment and I'm not going to slate that because I understand the ups and down of emotions in transfer window and especially when a really exciting signing has fallen through.
At the risk of getting slated I just wanted to put a few positive reflections in here:
1. I think we've looked better than we ever have in pre-season games. No points for pre-season but stylistically, fitness and focus wise we have been excellent.
2. Our squad is already very good. Couple of obvious gaps and couple of injuries (that's normal!) but this is a very very good squad in most areas.
3.Defensively we look strong. O'Shea and Greaves recovery speed is such an asset. O'Shea is different gravy and Greaves looks well on the way. These guys are now starting to build a relationship!
4.Azor is a top signing and to say just joined us getting better already!
5.Can't underestimate just how good our 3 behind the striker is in depth even with Omari going.
6.Hirst has never been better. Looking a complete striker and bonus if Al Hamadi looking to have kicked on this pre-season.
7. McKenna still here and is Doing McKenna things!
8. Finally, we will be making 2-3 more additions. Any frustrations will largely be gone in the next couple of weeks on that front. Jens will be top 5 midfielder in this division if not top 2 (and Azor probably in the same list!). They have played together before which is a huge bonus. 1 more midfielder and 1 more striker and this is a top class squad for the division.
I don't think any of the above is remotely happy clapping I think it is the reality.
Gutted Hackney not coming. Gutted if Omari goes. But if both those things had gone the other way our team was absolutely ridiculous. The fact they probably aren't happening our way does not detract from our squad being absolute quality anyway!!
COYB!
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| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:10 - Aug 3 with 387 views | Guthrum |
People have forgotten what the Championship is like. Having a solid defence and unlocking a late-game low block is more important than individual flair all over the pitch. |  |
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| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:11 - Aug 3 with 376 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
A rational voice of reason breaks through the growing dark clouds being generated by some on the forum ….
PS I saw the same pre-season as you, and formed similar conclusions. | | | |
| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:13 - Aug 3 with 355 views | Zx1988 |
I agree with you entirely here.
People made a lot of noise about the gulf between the Championship and Premier League last season, and one could argue that through acquisitions and natural progression of talented young players, our squad is probably better than it was last time we were at this level.
I fully accept that the lower-end 'happy with 0-0, low block from the off' teams will probably still pose a challenge, but think we'll be pleasantly surprised with some of our performances. | |
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| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:15 - Aug 3 with 337 views | SWLondonBlue93 |
Agreed, it all seemed very positive on here a few days ago when it appeared Hackney was joining and Omari was staying, now the situation has flipped some people are going too far the other way. The squad isn't 100% in place but it's still very strong for this level, plenty of reasons to feel optimistic. | | | |
| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:16 - Aug 3 with 326 views | Bobbychase |
| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:13 - Aug 3 by Zx1988 |
I agree with you entirely here.
People made a lot of noise about the gulf between the Championship and Premier League last season, and one could argue that through acquisitions and natural progression of talented young players, our squad is probably better than it was last time we were at this level.
I fully accept that the lower-end 'happy with 0-0, low block from the off' teams will probably still pose a challenge, but think we'll be pleasantly surprised with some of our performances. |
While accepting these are pre season games, I've been very impressed with us. Yesterday we came up against a very physical team with some big units at the back in midfield and just passed them off the park, Should have been 5-0 with the chances we had.
Our transfer policy last season seemed to be to buy top-end Championship players like Clarke, Greaves etc in the hope they might make the step up but if they didn't we would start the season with a strong squad. Philogene injury is frustrating in that sense as I thought against Aberdeen and yesterday he has been very good. |  |
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| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:20 - Aug 3 with 288 views | Zx1988 |
| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:16 - Aug 3 by Bobbychase |
While accepting these are pre season games, I've been very impressed with us. Yesterday we came up against a very physical team with some big units at the back in midfield and just passed them off the park, Should have been 5-0 with the chances we had.
Our transfer policy last season seemed to be to buy top-end Championship players like Clarke, Greaves etc in the hope they might make the step up but if they didn't we would start the season with a strong squad. Philogene injury is frustrating in that sense as I thought against Aberdeen and yesterday he has been very good. |
That's a very good point.
I thought last season that this was very much our transfer policy, and that (being ahead of the plan) last season was a bit of a free hit. We signed incredibly shrewdly in terms of building a team that should be able to bounce back at the first time of asking, and that mustn't be forgotten.
Top-end Championship players don't simply stop being top-end Championship players because they had a season of struggle in the Premier League. Our performance against Coventry in the FA Cup was a really good example of the gulf between the two divisions. | |
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| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:22 - Aug 3 with 272 views | LegendofthePhoenix |
| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:13 - Aug 3 by Zx1988 |
I agree with you entirely here.
People made a lot of noise about the gulf between the Championship and Premier League last season, and one could argue that through acquisitions and natural progression of talented young players, our squad is probably better than it was last time we were at this level.
I fully accept that the lower-end 'happy with 0-0, low block from the off' teams will probably still pose a challenge, but think we'll be pleasantly surprised with some of our performances. |
Good points in the OP, and whilst we are bound to come up against the low block this year, our attacking line will be the strongest in the division, and then we will have fresh attackers of similar quality to come on for the last 25 minutes. It's a helluva ask for defences to hold out against that on tired legs, as we found out last season.
So a lot to look forwards to this year. |  |
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| Feel like I've seen a different pre-season to others! on 11:29 - Aug 3 with 225 views | Metal_Hacker |
Fact is we’ve arguably a stronger squad than we did at the start of the last Championship campaign with reinforcements to still come in - that’s even with OH going
We’re in a good position
It’ll soon be over and we’ll have what we have and come January I’m sure we will see an addition or two as well to get us over the line
Keep the faith innit |  |
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