1st game last season (1 Viewer)

[covboy1987]

· 01 Murphy Alsopp
· 02 Christie Pugh
· 03 Adams Clarke
· 04 Webster Webster
· 24 Clarke Johnson
· 06 Thomas Willis
· 07 Fleck Swanson
· 14 Moussa O'Brien
· 09 Clarke Thomas
· 20 Wilson Tudgay
· 17Daniels Mcquoid

When you put things down on paper it becomes a little clearer why we looked a little out of sorts yesterday - On the left is the team that started the season 1st game last season against Bristol City at home- on the right is the team from yesterday- the team on the left only needed a few improvements to make a strong challenge for promotion this season - not sure what to say about the team on the right as i for one was not impressed -only first game but looks like we will struggle all over the pitch

 

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[spider_ricoh]

Totally agree - it's also worrying how high our player turnover is - only 2 players from the first XL still in the first team...what can't be right.

 

[junglej13]

We are no different to the majority of League 1 teams. The turnover of players even in the top teams is very high.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

The only significant difference between the team on the left and right is the strikers, Wilson and Clarke had a formidable partnership. It is yet to be seen whether the strikers brought in can forge a similar partnership. The defence on paper is probably slightly stronger on the right and there isn't much to choose in the midfield, remembering we have Fleck to come into the team on the right also.

 

[covboy1987]

Moussa and Baker also chipped a lot of goals in and although Baker did not play the first game last season cannot see where the goals are going to come from this season- like you said early days but why did we have to start again our fan base and club status demands more than this and we should be adding to our squad not starting all over again

 

[turlykerd]

yet the result was the same

 

[TheOldFive]

- like you said early days but why did we have to start again our fan base and club status demands more than this and we should be adding to our squad not starting all over again

Sadly, neither our fan base or our historical club status are relevant in terms of our future or what team we can afford to put out or squad we can furnish Pressley with.

 

[ccfcway]

tbf, this is where i dont really get Pressleys "we have a long term plan", yet have 2 players who were in the 1st fixture last year. Its hardly long term

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Moussa and Baker also chipped a lot of goals in and although Baker did not play the first game last season cannot see where the goals are going to come from this season- like you said early days but why did we have to start again our fan base and club status demands more than this and we should be adding to our squad not starting all over again

Pressley has already said he wants a better spread of goals and the midfielders need to chip in with more, Baker and Moussa got about 20 league goals between them. Fleck scored 1, Daniels 3 I think. I think it is possible but Fleck and Thomas need to step up and grab a few goals, between Swanson, O'Brien, Coulibaly, Fleck, Thomas, Daniels I think we can get close to matching that. Then we have big Reda who has 2 already, Pressley has challenged him to get double figures so that would be a bonus as we didn't have any defenders chipping in much last season, I think Webster got 2 and Clarke 1, can't recall any others who scored.

I think the biggest issue is replacing the void left by Clarke and Wilson, we've brought some players in but whether they can step up to the plate remains to be seen.

 

[Kingokings204]

tbf, this is where i dont really get Pressleys "we have a long term plan", yet have 2 players who were in the 1st fixture last year. Its hardly long term

Yes don't you remember we are building a team around the youngsters like Wilson and ?

Oh sorry

 

[mrtrench]

tbf, this is where i dont really get Pressleys "we have a long term plan", yet have 2 players who were in the 1st fixture last year. Its hardly long term

The long term plan is to source the first eleven from the youth programme. It is staring to come to fruition. Look at the first eleven yesterday - three of them home grown. And another two from last year sold on for £££.

 

[bringbackrattles]

It's only the first game of the season and new players need a bit of time to gel etc.
But once again our defence causes concern as it looks as wobbly as last seasons back line.
Johnson scored a couple which is great but he's here to defend and to tighten up a soft defence,so hopefully that will happen very soon or we will keep leaking goals as usual.

 

[cmoncity]

I know sp is a defender but has he actually employed a defensive coach? This may help if he hasnt

 

[bringbackrattles]

I know sp is a defender but has he actually employed a defensive coach? This may help if he hasnt

As Pressley was a defender you'd think our defending would be a strong point.Sadly it isn't so you're right if we haven't got a defensive coach maybe now is the time to get one in.

 

[JulianDarbyFTW]

A couple of things spring to mind here:

First off, it's the first game of the season. As an example, 2 years ago Man Utd lost 1-0 to Everton on the opening day and won the league. I'm not for one second saying that we will finish first, but it does show that you can't predict the season from the first game.

Secondly, the high turn-over of players will be - in part - down to the embargo last year. Maybe we'd have seen a very different starting XI last August if it hadn't been in place.

I'm not worried about the rapid change in personnel - I'm concerned with whether we've brought the right players in. Sadly I know very little about most players at this level due to limited media coverage and match attendance, so I have no idea if we have or haven't. Time will tell, I guess.

 

[Ian1779]

You are comparing the teams when actually it was the 3rd game last season (2nd in the league). I believe Webster did not play against Crawley certainly.

Who's to say by next weekend we won't have another 2/3 players?

 

[Kingokings204]

As Pressley was a defender you'd think our defending would be a strong point.Sadly it isn't so you're right if we haven't got a defensive coach maybe now is the time to get one in.

He has got the classic small man syndrome or in this case defenders syndrome. Was always defending so he just wants to attack and score. Sod defending.

 

[Houchens Head]

· 01 Murphy Alsopp
· 02 Christie Pugh
· 03 Adams Clarke
· 04 Webster Webster
· 24 Clarke Johnson
· 06 Thomas Willis
· 07 Fleck Swanson
· 14 Moussa O'Brien
· 09 Clarke Thomas
· 20 Wilson Tudgay
· 17Daniels Mcquoid

When you put things down on paper it becomes a little clearer why we looked a little out of sorts yesterday - On the left is the team that started the season 1st game last season against Bristol City at home- on the right is the team from yesterday- the team on the left only needed a few improvements to make a strong challenge for promotion this season - not sure what to say about the team on the right as i for one was not impressed -only first game but looks like we will struggle all over the pitch

Just a quick readability advice: Separate names! I was looking for the team on the right until I realised we never had players called Murphy Alsopp, Christie Pugh or Adams Clarke

Perhaps like this......
01 Murphy........ : ....... Alsopp
02 Christie........ : ....... Pugh
03 Adams........ : ....... Clarke
04 Webster........ : ....... Webster
24 Clarke........ : ....... Johnson
06 Thomas........ : ....... Willis
07 Fleck........ : ....... Swanson
14 Moussa........ : ...... O'Brien
09 Clarke........ : ........ Thomas
20 Wilson........ : ........ Tudgay
17 Daniels........ : ....... Mcquoid

just saying, like

 

[torchomatic]

Totally agree - it's also worrying how high our player turnover is - only 2 players from the first XL still in the first team...what can't be right.

Fulham only had one.

 

[shmmeee]

Fulham only had one.

Haven't the just been relegated? Hardly a comparison with a side in their third year in a division building a team.

 

[Hobo]

Murphy,
Christie, Adams, Clarke, Willis
Baker, Fleck, Thomas, Moussa,
Wilson, Clarke
Subs: Burge, Barton, Daniels, Phillips, Lobjolt, Garner, Maund.

That was the team for first game last year

 

[skybluebeduff]

tbf, this is where i dont really get Pressleys "we have a long term plan", yet have 2 players who were in the 1st fixture last year. Its hardly long term

Yep and most of our squad are out of contract come next June, great long term vision by the club.

 

[Kingokings204]

Murphy,
Christie, Adams, Clarke, Willis
Baker, Fleck, Thomas, Moussa,
Wilson, Clarke
Was the team for first game last year

You can see why we let in so many. Last year with that defence. No one was over 21 years old against a battering crawley attack. 3 goals was good to only let in 3. So bad

 

[Hobo]

You can see why we let in so many. Last year with that defence. No one was over 21 years old against a battering crawley attack. 3 goals was good to only let in 3. So bad

The bench, Burge, Barton, Daniels, Phillips, Garner, Lobjoit, Maund.

Only Barton there with any experience.

I do like the philosophy of giving your kids the chance to play and develop. You can pick up some decent players out of contract. But every side needs a few key players and this is were we need to invest in wages and maybe small fees.

Two players we have missed out on are McAnuff and Higdon. I think they would have got the fans buzzing with the other players Pressley has brought in.

Of course his team building isn't complete. There is still time for players to come in signed or loaned.