The pre-season thread - 2019/20 edition

Yep. Miles in legs in their 1st pre-season (mid-july) friendly will shake out some of the rustiness too.

 

Didn't expect much, it is far too early to make comparisons. Interesting to see so many youngsters getting some time.
As usual the Neggies are making an issue about Che wearing the 10 shirt, Charlie is toast! In that case so are Lemina, as Will Smallbone had 18 and Armstrong, as Klara had 17! Somehow I think the numbers were picked at random for this game only...

 

As you will become aware "ospers" there are only a few Neggies inhabiting this site
Sadly, as you will have experienced, the DE is, and has been, riddled with them. Thankfully, debating points on threads on here are plentiful.

 

Did we play 4-2-2-2 and if so who played the deeper role in the second half out of Obafemi & Ings?

 

That! Also on Twitter too.

 

I think the likes of smallbone and klarer probably were random, but Adam's probably will get 10.

 

Can't remember seeing much of Ings, both Oba and Ndu got into promising positions but seemed to lack the confidence to apply a finishing attempt on goal. Cedric seemed to spend most his time getting forward, stopping and passing back, not sure that's a Ralph tactic.

 

Have to get rid of Charlie first and he doesn't look keen to leave!

 

Yes, but we don't have to give him the number 10 shirt.

 

Che used 14 and then 9 for Brum. 10 would be fitting though or the much fancied Number 7, give Shane something else?

 

Three things we should be pleased about today. A goal from Che, and assist from Long and a clean sheet from Fraser

In all seriousness, I thought Redders looked red hot. Obe is a tank and Ndu has pace but (so far) his first touch let him down a bit, He will either be a great asset a la Sturridge or another Chicken George Lawrence.

Despite the comments above I thought the kit looked pretty cool.

 

I thought Che looked confident and very promising.

 

I think giving him No 13, and a shirt made out of that man boob sandpaper material should help him get the message.

 

Sorry, I am not taking that route, Charlie is o.k. in my book, still a Saint and I refuse to take the judgemental route to slag him off, I hope he gets a decent move which benefits both.

 

he looked lethal anywhere in in the area when playing last year, good with both feet, strong and quick on his feet. He could be a brilliant signing

 

Yes I jest, badly, I wish him no ill.

It is actually a good point that clubs as well as players should honour contracts and not moan too much when one party feels aggrieved.
As seems to be the case in the Griezmann deal. They both signed the blooming contract!

 

If Charlie chooses to stay, knuckles down, trains hard, keeps as fit as he can, isn’t disruptive and keeps his mouth closed if there are any urges to slag the club off, then good luck to him, he’s entitled to stay. He has a contract. Make the manager’s job difficult by being difficult not to select in the squad.

I fear that Charlie won’t do all those things above.

 

Charlie hasn't done anything wrong and has scored goals for us. I think some fans just see him as an obstacle to buying a player we prefer, but he's entitled to see his contract out and wait for a decision right for him. We'd do the same.

 

The goal he scored, if I remember correctly, is kind of a trademark goal for him.
I think the video of his goals last season, showed a few where he received the ball with his back to goal, spun on his left foot before hitting it back across the keeper.
Hopefully the top centre backs won’t be aware of this or I can see them marking him by standing slightly to his left so that he turns into them, or forces him to turn the other way onto, I presume, his weaker foot.

 

Absolutely they do Fran, however if they see him not training hard or making too many noises, then they have reason to be concerned. As I said above, be good if he rolled his sleeves up and got stuck in.

It is his contract and he doesn’t have to leave if he doesn’t want to. It says something about the person though if they just “sit it out” for the money and before anyone says “you’d do it if it was your job and stay with better money:”

1. I changed jobs two and half years ago and I am earning less than I was in my old job. I wanted to be happier at work and do what was better for me and the family.

2. The money levels are so high for these level of footballers, that it doesn’t really make a future security issue.