Tonights Game

Quoted from HackneyHaddock

Surprised the fuzz didn't bring the kick-off forward to 1pm and insist on a dry 3F.

Post of the week. If not month. (so far )

How did Tombola do?

First half Town looked like what they were, a disjointed side starting pre-season.

The back four was very shaky, Collins well off the pace and made a couple of errors (one of which led to a goal).  Positive was Max Wright at left-back who looked very assured and constantly looking for the overlap.  He put in excellent delivery and excellent delivery.  Whilst not his natural position he wasn't too shabby in defence either and held his own.  

Midfield wise it was all over the place.  I think the intention was a 4-3-3/4-5-1 with Bolarinwa and Kelly either side of Vernon.  Kelly just wanted to drift in all the time which resulted in Berrett trying to fill in on the left.  Kelly looked tricky on the ball and comfortable dropping the shoulder to go past people.  I suppose in the way he does that and wanted to play a free role, he was a bit like Scott Neilson.  

It is only pre-season but Summerfield isn't up to it.  I don't want to get on his back for the sake of it but he slows things down needlessly and doesn't offer anything either going forward or protecting the back four.  At best you could argue he's a player who keeps things ticking over but we've got Clements to do that role far better than he does.  

Bolarinwa was Bolarinwa.  Burst of pace and then no control.  Halfway through the half he got whacked and it burst him into life.  Once he woke up he had his full back on toast for ten-fifteen minutes.  Up top Vernon was isolated, a few occasions he brought the ball down well only for no Town player to be within 20 yards of him.  That said he missed a couple of absolute sitters.

Second half was a different story.  We looked more energetic and more balanced.  We also looked very athletic.  At the back Clarke looked a born captain.  From the first minute of the half his voice was booming telling everyone where to be, what to do, when to step up.  If he's not captain by the time of the Chesterfield game I'll be amazed.  Him and Boyce were very commanding in the air, which was all they had to do really.  Danny North up front for Clee hardly had a sniff.  Josh Venney covered at left-back and, like Wright, did fairly well.  He didn't get beat and was tidy on the ball.  With both not having a contract and both getting a half each in that position, I wonder if it's a straight shoot out for them to get a deal and provide cover in that position.  As much as I like Venney, I can only see Wright winning that one.  Wright's the stronger and faster but also can play further forward in a position where we don't have loads of options.  Venney on the other hand does have the disadvantage of his size.  Teams will target him and any striker worth his salt would peel off onto him for the aerial balls.  

Midfield wise Rose looks an athlete.  He also looks a total git to play against, the type of player who we always hate but wish we had in our team.  Alongside MacAllister they never got out of second gear but never needed to.  Out wide Osborne and Dembele caused so many problems.  Osborne with his deceptive injection of pace and creativity was far too much for the Clee left back.  Great run and cross for Cardwell's goal and then superb vision for his lob.   Dembele on the other flank is definitely exciting.  Great first touch where he controls it but continues his movement at the same time, full of tricks and pace.  Caught out not tracking back a few times so wouldn't be too keen to see him in a traditional 4-4-2.   Up top Yussuf was a handful and took his goal well.  Other than his goal I can't remember Cardwell doing an awful lot, seemed to play a No 10 role which not sure if he is suited to.  Very difficult to tell on 45 minutes of football against a part-time outfit.  

@diehardmariner

I highly doubt there considering Wright at LB, i think he was only there last night because we literally have no other LB except Venney and there was two teams to fill. It was the only place Max could get in because both the winger spots in both teams were taken. if we're considering a right footed 18 year old winger for left back then good luck to us next season.

Not sure about that.  I would think there are youth team players we could have used to play at left back.  

I think Wright's left-footed too.  

As a slight side-note, few people last night were saying that the loan move for the young Liverpool left-back is all but done.

Also Town have far from given up hope of bringing Henderson back on a season long loan.

How much truth is in either of those I don't know, just what was said.

Maybe not specifically as a left back, but as a good utility plater. If he's competent enough to fill a few positions when required, then he could be a good asset.

max played well going forward but felt he struggled defending, he give the ball away for our first goal. But you would expect a winger playing LB to look going forward against someone like clee town, put him LB in league two and i think we'd get torn apart.

We had far more shape down the left hand side with Venney there, more defensively aware than max but you'd expect that with one been a left footed defensive midfielder and another right footed winger.

I like max i think hes got potential but just not at left back.

Some wont like it but i dont think either are good enough

And not forgetting Akheem (?) Rose to add to the young pro's mix as well.....