Friendlies

[Ccfcisparks]

We've had Northampton and got Espanyol and Monaco

Thats 3 friendlies, that seems a lot less than others.

Are we playing anymore? Are they behind closed doors?

 

[Nick]

They literally said they are playing behind closed doors friendlies. Also played one (that we know of) behind closed doors too.

The Sky Blues also have additional behind-closed-doors friendlies pencilled in during August as part of the pre-season programme.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

They literally said they are playing behind closed doors friendlies. Also played one (that we know of) behind closed doors too.

Just odd we dont seem to be doing it the traditional way.

 

[Nick]

Just odd we dont seem to be doing it the traditional way.

What's the traditional way?

It's pretty much exactly the same as last pre season.

 

[torchomatic]

I used to like the Scottish tours. Visited some lovely little grounds in the past.

 

[Balli001]

Just odd we dont seem to be doing it the traditional way.

A lot of sides play behind closed doors now

 

[Ccfcisparks]

What's the traditional way?

It's pretty much exactly the same as last pre season.

In front of crowds, and a traditional overseas tour.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

A lot of sides play behind closed doors now

I wonder why. I guess the further you go up the ticket sales from the friendlies less important.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Any ideas who our friendlies are against? The behind closed doors ones.

 

[DazzleTommyDazzle]

Any ideas who our friendlies are against? The behind closed doors ones.

Didn't they say Leicester on "That Cov Pod"?

 

[Nick]

In front of crowds, and a traditional overseas tour.

Whats a tradtional overseas tour?

Take us back to the Derby at Nuneaton days.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Didn't they say Leicester on "That Cov Pod"?

Interesting, nice to help lower league teams out!

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Whats a tradtional overseas tour?

Dont play daft

 

[Nick]

Dont play daft

just trying to figure out what's odd when it's not much different to the last few years? (Aside playing them at the CBS only in the last couple)

 

[Ccfcisparks]

just trying to figure out what's odd when it's not much different to the last few years? (Aside playing them at the CBS only in the last couple)

We usually go away on pre season and play a few overseas teams infront of a crowd

 

[Balli001]

I wonder why. I guess the further you go up the ticket sales from the friendlies less important.

Logistics too I guess. Can play whenever you want and stop when you want

 

[wingy]

I wonder why. I guess the further you go up the ticket sales from the friendlies less important.

Or getting someone sponsoring you I wonder if that's going to be the model for the game overall into the future, gladiators stylee, but without us cheering from the sides,as they prompt us to clap like seals, out of time to random music,will we have a new tune this season I wonder .

 

[Captain Dart]

Haven't a lot of sports training centres sprung up in recent years, plus most of the premiership sides have multiple well kept pitches at their training grounds. There seem to be lots more options to avoid disrupting the home life of the squad and trainers.

 

[fatso]

Interesting, nice to help lower league teams out!

They are the new Nuneaton Borough, local pub league outfit we entertain so their players can say "we once played a big club!"

 

[SBSid]

Doug missed a trick not inviting a German team to a pre season game at the CBS. 3rd division Hansa Rostock turned up at Watford with 7k fans. Lost 3-0 and still made themselves heard the end of the game.

 

[Nick]

Doug missed a trick not inviting a German team to a pre season game at the CBS. 3rd division Hansa Rostock turned up at Watford with 7k fans. Lost 3-0 and still made themselves heard the end of the game.

He has the last 2 pre seasons.

 

[wingy]

Doug missed a trick not inviting a German team to a pre season game at the CBS. 3rd division Hansa Rostock turned up at Watford with 7k fans. Lost 3-0 and still made themselves heard the end of the game.

We did it last year though,a good show as it turned out.
On a different subject have we sent a youthful squad out to Singapore this year nice that was and quite smart of the club.
Clearly taken very seriously.

 

[SBSid]

Away last 2 years for preseason games, forgot who we played.

 

[Balli001]

We did it last year though,a good show as it turned out.
On a different subject have we sent a youthful squad out to Singapore this year nice that was and quite smart of the club.
Clearly taken very seriously.

The Singapore tournament was cancelled

 

[edgy]

Does have the feel of a weird preseason.

This week break they've just had is very odd.

 

[stupot07]

Does have the feel of a weird preseason.

This week break they've just had is very odd.

I agree was looking at last season and we played
12 July 2025 Portimonense
16 July 2025 Monaco
23 July 2025 Bristol Rovers
26 July 2025 Brighton & Hove Albion
30 July 2025 Real Betis
2 August 2025 St. Pauli

This season we have played
12 July 2026 AFC Wimbledon
18 July 2026 Northampton Town
8 August 2026 Espanyol
14 August 2026 Monaco

It's just a bit weird, when you look at other teams in the PL, e.g. Tottenham started 10 days after us have managed to play 6.

22 July 2026 MK Dons
26 July 2026 Auckland
29 July 2026 Sydney
1 August 2026 Chelsea
8 August 2026 Getafe
16 August 2026 Hoffenheim

 

[Ccfcisparks]

I agree was looking at last season and we played
12 July 2025 Portimonense
16 July 2025 Monaco
23 July 2025 Bristol Rovers
26 July 2025 Brighton & Hove Albion
30 July 2025 Real Betis
2 August 2025 St. Pauli

This season we have played
12 July 2026 AFC Wimbledon
18 July 2026 Northampton Town
8 August 2026 Espanyol
14 August 2026 Monaco

It's just a bit weird, when you look at other teams in the PL, e.g. Tottenham started 10 days after us have managed to play 6.

22 July 2026 MK Dons
26 July 2026 Auckland
29 July 2026 Sydney
1 August 2026 Chelsea
8 August 2026 Getafe
16 August 2026 Hoffenheim

I think Lampard being on holiday has played a part in this

 

[Cov. Kids. Never. Quit]

Does have the feel of a weird preseason.

This week break they've just had is very odd.

It is odd to have a week of when trying to get up to Fitness.

Perhaps some friendlies were cancelled who knows.

But looking at all the fixtures this weekend a lot of Premier League clubs playing friendlies all over the country and all over the world Tottenham playing friendlies in New Zealand.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

It is odd to have a week of when trying to get up to Fitness.

Perhaps some friendlies were cancelled who knows.

But looking at all the fixtures this weekend a lot of Premier League clubs playing friendlies all over the country and all over the world Tottenham playing friendlies in New Zealand.

Yes it is really odd

 

[wingy]

I agree was looking at last season and we played
12 July 2025 Portimonense
16 July 2025 Monaco
23 July 2025 Bristol Rovers
26 July 2025 Brighton & Hove Albion
30 July 2025 Real Betis
2 August 2025 St. Pauli

This season we have played
12 July 2026 AFC Wimbledon
18 July 2026 Northampton Town
8 August 2026 Espanyol
14 August 2026 Monaco

It's just a bit weird, when you look at other teams in the PL, e.g. Tottenham started 10 days after us have managed to play 6.

22 July 2026 MK Dons
26 July 2026 Auckland
29 July 2026 Sydney
1 August 2026 Chelsea
8 August 2026 Getafe
16 August 2026 Hoffenheim

Last year Werder Bremen?
Guess there's a difference in the league's,less grunt expected?

 

[stupot07]

Last year Werder Bremen?
Guess there's a difference in the league's,less grunt expected?

Werder Bremen was the 2024/25 pre season, we play St Pauli last season.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Some of the PL clubs friendlies are just money making exercise - they don't give a feck for the players. Madness going to Malaysia/New Zealand/Australia etc in terms of getting players ready for the new season.

 

[Deity]

Jesus guys.

We came back earlier than most prem teams but the plan was always to break up pre season at the mid point …. It’s not based on when Frank fancied going on holiday

 

[Cov. Kids. Never. Quit]

Some of the PL clubs friendlies are just money making exercise - they don't give a feck for the players. Madness going to New Malaysia/Zealand/Australia etc in terms of getting players ready for the new season.

Wrexham playing friendlies in, you've guessed it, America.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Jesus guys.

We came back earlier than most prem teams but the plan was always to break up pre season at the mid point …. It’s not based on when Frank fancied going on holiday

Did we? When did other teams come back