First Impressions Of The New Players (1 Viewer)

Exit Stage Left

Well-Known Member
Rather then rate the new players out of 10 which seems slightly unfair on only 45 minutes of pre-season action against a non-league team, I thought this thread could just give your first impressions on the new players after the first pre-season friendly at Leamington.

GERVANE KASTANEER: I was genuinely surprised how big and muscular this guy was. A similar physique to Emile Heskey and not afraid to use his strength when on the ball. Some cute back heels passes particularly the one-two he did with Wesley Jobello and took his goal well. Seems to be a bit of a leader on the pitch too and has a bit of swagger about him.

WESLEY JOBELLO: Fired in some good crosses and a bit like Gervane Kastaneer, he took a bit of a battering from Leamington who saw him as a dangerman. Often swapped wings with Gervane Kastaneer who he was talking to a lot and looked comfortable on either flank.

JAMIE ALLEN: Best player out there today and ran things in midfield during the 45 minutes he was on the pitch. Threaded some nice balls through the Leamington defence and took all the corners too. He seems a class act.

FANKATY DABO: More compact and without Dujon Sterling's height, but looked solid. Seems to have a good first touch, particularly liked it when he used his shoulder to flick the ball through to Johnny Ngandu.

KYLE McFADZEAN: Cool and composed on the ball, but strong in the tackle and good in the air too. Pinged a great 40 yard through ball to Conor Chaplin who unfortunately was offside.

MICHAEL ROSE: Likewise, comfortable on the ball, but can do the defensive duties too.

JOSH PASK: It was good to see him play out of his familiar centre-back role and do a steady job at right-back. With Dabo as are only recognised right-back at the club, it's good to know Pask can cover if Dabo ever gets injured or suspended.

I won't comment on the two new goalkeepers because they didn't have much to do and Dan Bartlett didn't play, but that is at least first impressions of 7 of the 10 new players.
 

ccfcway

Well-Known Member
I assume as a unit we look a lot bigger and stronger than usual ?

It’s not very often I have seen us look the stronger, taller team than the competition in the past few years
 

Exit Stage Left

Well-Known Member
Gervane Kastaneer is built like a light-heavyweight boxer. Wesley Jobello, Kyle McFadzean and Michael Rose are all well over 6FT. The only surprise was how small Jamie Allen looked, but he was like a little magician out there, so I'm not too bothered about his lack of size.
 

Exit Stage Left

Well-Known Member
I assume as a unit we look a lot bigger and stronger than usual ?

It’s not very often I have seen us look the stronger, taller team than the competition in the past few years

Gervane Kastaneer is built like a light-heavyweight boxer. Wesley Jobello, Kyle McFadzean and Michael Rose are all well over 6FT. The only surprise was how small Jamie Allen looked, but he was like a little magician out there, so I'm not too bothered about his lack of size.
 

Evo1883

Well-Known Member
What are the odds on allen getting player of the season?
Looks the sort of player fans will love
 

Exit Stage Left

Well-Known Member
What are the odds on allen getting player of the season?
Looks the sort of player fans will love

Also judging by his stats, he seems to be one of these players who is able to stay fit and healthy for a whole season. I think he played 50 games for Burton last season.

I do realise I may have jinxed him getting a ACL in his next game now I have said that! Sorry.
 

BUSA

Well-Known Member
Like the look of pask - got all the raw attributes to be very good. Dabo - I was slightly disappointed in him but he didn’t have a proper wide player in front of him. He seems to be more up to a physical battle than say sterling was
 

cooperskyblue

Well-Known Member
Allen was very very good. Straight away you could tell! Can see why he scored 8 last year, loved to get forward, good vision and played with a great tempo.

Jobello put in 4 or 5 great crosses used both feet. Half time Robin's was talking to him with Max as translator and got the feeling Robin's thinks he can be a big player for us as appears to have an end product!
 

block16

Well-Known Member
All exciting reviews ! If you look around at the league most sides haven’t sorted the squads out as early as us- gives us a big advantage having a month to gel and work on things - this and the draw for first few games set us up for a good start !
 

fernandopartridge

Well-Known Member
All exciting reviews ! If you look around at the league most sides haven’t sorted the squads out as early as us- gives us a big advantage having a month to gel and work on things - this and the draw for first few games set us up for a good start !
On the other hand other teams might retain more than 50% of their starting 11 which means they don't need quite as much time to gel
 

ccfcway

Well-Known Member
Any way you look at this, you've gotta admit, this season is set to be a very interesting and exciting one

Good vibes!

Not “anyway”, as we are playing in Birmingham with no news on coming back.

Still way more exciting pre season than Northampton
 
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junglej13

Well-Known Member
Like the look of pask - got all the raw attributes to be very good. Dabo - I was slightly disappointed in him but he didn’t have a proper wide player in front of him. He seems to be more up to a physical battle than say sterling was

Dabo is built like a barrel. Notice he seemed to have a tight calf before he went on. Dexter Walters was sent to get some deep heat for him.
 

Irish Sky Blue

Well-Known Member
I assume as a unit we look a lot bigger and stronger than usual ?

It’s not very often I have seen us look the stronger, taller team than the competition in the past few years
Robins commented on this last night saying that, particularly at set pieces last season we were too often out muscled. He said that too often at set pieces the crucial first touch went to the opposition despite repeatedly working with the players on this. He sited the two Portsmouth goals as examples of this.
 

cooperskyblue

Well-Known Member
Dabo is built like a barrel. Notice he seemed to have a tight calf before he went on. Dexter Walters was sent to get some deep heat for him.

Yes I heard Dabo telling kelly while he was warming he was feeling his calf and hamstring so that may have hampered him slightly. Seemed willing to get forward more than sterling did.
 

rob9872

Well-Known Member
McFazdean looks a natural leader which we need. The wide guys exciting and will improve with fitness and togetherness, but I was also most impressed with Allen. Looked composed on the ball and slotted straight in, but we'll reserve judgment until stronger opposition feature.
 

Nick

Administrator
Keepers, hard to judge really but both decent with their feet.

Dabo, looked like he was carrying a bit of weight but he had a great touch and got stuck in

Macfadz, think he will be captain. Very calm and reassuring, was helping the younger players all the way through and getting at the ref

Rose, he liked to bring the ball out from the back but wasn't really challenged

Pask, he looked like he needs gametime and looked like he had never taken throw ins before. He had a good touch though and finished his goal well.

Allen, busy player. Broke things up, played everything simple every time and stayed calm. Made late runs into the box every time the wingers were running

Jobello, he started off quiet and seemed a bit unfit but he could whip a cross in with either foot.

Kastaneer, looked like he was injured but was great with the ball at his feet. Seemed to be seeing things other players weren't. Great link up with jobello for the goal

Eccles may as well be a new player, had a great game
 

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