Cross post from the transfer thread for relevance, easier to paste this over...
Have been on a preseason break from the forum myself but enough is enough - anyone trying to draw on anything from last night is going down a ridiculous path, particularly when there were actually a number of positives. Having slept on it:
- It was the most pre-season friendly-type friendly I have seen for years, damp squid doesn't cover it.
- We didn't look like we got out of second gear, the focus seemed entirely on shape, passing rotations, and minutes.
- Rodrigues was tidy, Brown was solid, Harris needs minutes, not a single shot on target to trouble Beadle.
- Smyth should be in first team plans. I would agree with
@Colin B that it was a MOM performance.
- Sam Long has been given permission to pass the halfway line again and the difference in him already last night was striking.
- Watkins probably worst player on pitch but he put in 100% effort and everything seemed to be going through him. I liked his work rate but it just didn't seem to fall for him.
- Striker clearly needed but we all know that.
- We have to keep Goodhram.
Last night was exactly as expected from a PSF, even watching it didn't feel frustrating as it didn't feel as if we ever even got going. The shape held very well, the defence didn't worry me, and that midfield could be a real force once they have had a few more weeks together. Most importantly, the team looks like it knows what it's doing and how Manning wants to play.
Stop. F*cking. Panicking.