Couple of unknown players in that picture. Also some notable exceptions like McAllister, Robinson, Dixon and Clements (though it's been said he's on compassionate leave).
Couple of unknown players in that picture. Also some notable exceptions like McAllister, Robinson, Dixon and Clements (though it's been said he's on compassionate leave).
Perhaps there but hidden from sight by Kamals mop,
I see a few people moaning that we've taken our lads to Devon whereas other clubs have gone abroad.. Does it really matter? For me it's about the squad getting to know each other and having a good work out etc. I personally think it's a waste of money jetting a whole squad off abroad for a few days, I'd much rather have that few quid saved up to put towards players wages or something more relevant and needed. Looking forward to seeing the game tonight, first game since Newport away
I see a few people moaning that we've taken our lads to Devon whereas other clubs have gone abroad.. Does it really matter? For me it's about the squad getting to know each other and having a good work out etc. I personally think it's a waste of money jetting a whole squad off abroad for a few days, I'd much rather have that few quid saved up to put towards players wages or something more relevant and needed. Looking forward to seeing the game tonight, first game since Newport away
Agreed, doesn't matter where they are as long as they get some time to get to know each other. Could be Devon, Spain.......or the non-Chairman's summer BBQ.
As much as we keep getting told it's 'nothing serious' those words fill be with dread, especially as this time not training seems to be getting longer and longer. Could be one hell of a asset if we could keep him fit
Sleep well Icey, Matty and Richard. Keep each other company up there xx
As much as we keep getting told it's 'nothing serious' those words fill be with dread, especially as this time not training seems to be getting longer and longer. Could be one hell of a asset if we could keep him fit
as does the "compassionate leave" with me.
Mcallister was only doing an interview the other week saying how keen he is to put a frustrating season behind him and is raring to go....just wonder that if at his age the effective full season he has just had out has effected the rest of his body as well and other injuries might now start popping up.
2023/24 DLWDDWDLLLWDLLLLWDDDWDLLWLDLLDWDDWLLDWLWLW 2022/23LDWDWWDWLLDWWDLLLDLWLLWLWLLWDDLDWWDDDLLWDWLWLW 2021/22 WDWWWWDLWWWWLLLWLLDLWLLWWDWWWLWDLWWDWWWDLWD play offs WWW Promoted 🥳 2020/21 LLDWWLDLDWLWLLLDLWLLDLLDLLLWLLLDDDDWDDDLWLWLWL .. hello darkness my old friend 2019/20 WDLDWWLDLWWLLLDLDLDLDDWWDLLWDDWWL WLLW - ended 2018/19 LWDDLLLLLLWWDWLLLWDWLWWWWLLLLWWWWDLLLDDLLDLWLW Hello Scunny
I see a few people moaning that we've taken our lads to Devon whereas other clubs have gone abroad.. Does it really matter? For me it's about the squad getting to know each other and having a good work out etc. I personally think it's a waste of money jetting a whole squad off abroad for a few days, I'd much rather have that few quid saved up to put towards players wages or something more relevant and needed. Looking forward to seeing the game tonight, first game since Newport away
Taking into account accommodation and other costs, the UK can be the more expensive option compared to some countries.
Fair play for buying British!
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
1st half. Macca nice and loud communicating. Back four have been average, full backs pushing forward quite often. Mitch rose.. Weird. Has had an average game but made two great runs into the box to score his two goals. Left winger? - proper old fashioned and good with his feet, very pacey and has put in a couple of good crosses. If he is a trialist just in this 45 I like him. Dembele. Very in and out of the game but looks to get the ball to his feet, when he does have it he's so silky, some amazing runs and 3 or 4 times he's literally walked past two players coming flying in. So at 2 0 half time it's been fairly average with the left winger catching my eye more than anyone else.
1st half. Macca nice and loud communicating. Back four have been average, full backs pushing forward quite often. Mitch rose.. Weird. Has had an average game but made two great runs into the box to score his two goals. Left winger? - proper old fashioned and good with his feet, very pacey and has put in a couple of good crosses. If he is a trialist just in this 45 I like him. Dembele. Very in and out of the game but looks to get the ball to his feet, when he does have it he's so silky, some amazing runs and 3 or 4 times he's literally walked past two players coming flying in. So at 2 0 half time it's been fairly average with the left winger catching my eye more than anyone else.
This pre-season is getting very similar to the 15/16 one: Winning every game including against higher opposition, strikers scoring regularly. Although at 4-0 I suppose we could still draw this.
Not knocking it at all, good win tonight and the Devon trip is great for team bonding and confidence but hard to judge us against these lesser teams ( Cleethorpes Town, Grimsby Borough, Stamford, Bideford, Tavistock, even Boston UTD ).
Having said that we played well against higher opposition on Saturday.
We'll know better in a weeks time "where we are" when we play Blackburn who've won 8-0 at York tonight.
When Leeds trainer Les Cocker was once told Norman Hunter had broken a leg, he asked: “Whose is it?”
Not knocking it at all, good win tonight and the Devon trip is great for team bonding and confidence but hard to judge us against these lesser teams ( Cleethorpes Town, Grimsby Borough, Stamford, Bideford, Tavistock, even Boston UTD ).
Having said that we played well against higher opposition on Saturday.
We'll know better in a weeks time "where we are" when we play Blackburn who've won 8-0 at York tonight.
Could be a tougher game at Boston than you think, I was told this weekend that they have signed 8 of the Mansfield players that were part of the squad in their promotion season.
This pre-season is getting very similar to the 15/16 one: Winning every game including against higher opposition, strikers scoring regularly. Although at 4-0 I suppose we could still draw this.
Shhhhhhhhhh!
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
I have no idea how much our intrepid reporters get paid (if anything) but I was wondering if someone could teach them how to shield a mic from wind? Or how to find shelter away from the wind? or how to interview away from lawnmowers or traffic? not being rude, or ungrateful but sometimes (like the interview with RS today from the training ground at Bideford) was just noise for at least 30% of the time. Honestly I think it's common sense, isn't it? or maybe clearly not. I know this sounds sarcastic or mean but it's not meant to be.
From last night then the players I can put names to and how they did.. Macca - constantly talking to his defence. Collins - good communication and did well with whoever was next to him? (Clarke?) Mitch - was getting frustrated in the warm up, couldn't control a thing. Once the game start he was steady but made two great late runs for his goals. Berret - average, can see why people aren't overly fond with him playing regular Dembele - in and out the game but when he has the ball at his feet, brilliant to watch. Vernon - worked hard and won a fair few headers and got others involved. Robertson - steady and made a couple of decent runs. Yussuf - defenately has been working out, made some good runs and a couple of good crosses into the box.
Unknown - Left winger 1st 60mins, proper old fashioned, knocked the ball past his opponent and run onto it 2 or 3 times and delivered a couple of good balls. Big Centre back sub - assume he's a trialist, massive guy, won all his headers. Fuzzy hair cm - seemed very casual and always looked to get protect the back four where ever the ball was, he made one run and did well and got a cross in.
From last night then the players I can put names to and how they did.. Macca - constantly talking to his defence. Collins - good communication and did well with whoever was next to him? (Clarke?) Mitch - was getting frustrated in the warm up, couldn't control a thing. Once the game start he was steady but made two great late runs for his goals. Berret - average, can see why people aren't overly fond with him playing regular Dembele - in and out the game but when he has the ball at his feet, brilliant to watch. Vernon - worked hard and won a fair few headers and got others involved. Robertson - steady and made a couple of decent runs. Yussuf - defenately has been working out, made some good runs and a couple of good crosses into the box.
Unknown - Left winger 1st 60mins, proper old fashioned, knocked the ball past his opponent and run onto it 2 or 3 times and delivered a couple of good balls. Big Centre back sub - assume he's a trialist, massive guy, won all his headers. Fuzzy hair cm - seemed very casual and always looked to get protect the back four where ever the ball was, he made one run and did well and got a cross in.
Who's Robertson? Had a trialist called Roberts, could that be him
Let's hope this Cardwell lad can continue with the goals when it matters, , , starting @ Chesterfield!!!
Will we be seeing him move on to Hartlepool after banging in 37 goals during the season
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Lives in Birmingham, likely to be a high earner and isn't fancied playing centre mid. I could see Slade shipping him out. I think he's an exciting player but he's the sort of player you need to focus your team around to get the best from him.
That would be an awful waste the lad seems to have a lot of talent. We should be looking to develop him further as a salable asset rather than shipping him out.
Worth persevering with for me, especially if Berret is the more favoured alternative.
Lives in Birmingham, likely to be a high earner and isn't fancied playing centre mid. I could see Slade shipping him out. I think he's an exciting player but he's the sort of player you need to focus your team around to get the best from him.
Is he likely to be a high earner? Relatively young and never played professionally before he came to us.
Is he likely to be a high earner? Relatively young and never played professionally before he came to us.
Gave up a job as an electrical engineer supervisor and part time footy cash for a 2 1/2 year deal in cleethorpes. I reckon he'll be one of our higher earners.
Of all the midfielders we have Berrett would be bottom of MY list. But I agree with H_M of all the ones we have I can see Slade getting rid of Osborne 1st..Hes the manager he lives and dies by his decisions whether we all agree with them or not.
Of all the midfielders we have Berrett would be bottom of MY list. But I agree with H_M of all the ones we have I can see Slade getting rid of Osborne 1st..Hes the manager he lives and dies by his decisions whether we all agree with them or not.
It'd be a shame if it happened as I really like to see him play. I'm just not sure Slade fancies him.
Pre season friendly tour thread turns into the end of Jamey Isborbe's career with Town - classic!
Is he a new signing.
I have a feeling that Osborne will be used sparingly. I can't see him being an ever present, more's the pity. Hope i'm wrong as he is a proper footballer.
Stop getting your knickers in a twist everybody, I'm certain he's going to be a massive part of this season, don't know why, I just think he has the energy to be a Slade player.
I've wasted my life in black and white, a pathetic act for a worthless cause
Yes one of many trialists brought in to replace the departing Osborne😉
And yes if Slade prefers Berret I'm going to look for something else to do on a Saturday
FFS! Let Berrett have a chance in his preferred position rather than stick him on the left wing because we've got no-one else. Hurst signed him and then played him in a role that was clearly uncomfortable to him so The Fishy decides he's excrement and should never play again. I don't think there's much between Clements and Berrett as centre mid - I don't believe either are good enough to take us up - but if James Berrett starts at Chesterfield then he'll get my support.
I do remember that one or two of the Solihull fans seemed to think that Osborne was their best-ever player back when we signed him. Better than a certain O. Bogle in that case so surely he'll play a decent part this season?
My only concern is that he seems to be yet another player who is probably best suited to be an attacking midfielder - just like a few of our others! You could certainly see him breaking forward and getting some goals playing behind a front two but then are we going to be playing that sort of style?
I suppose a lot will depend on what happens as regards the strikers. Is Jones going to end up playing up top or will he end up in midfield which is apparently his preferred position?
I have a feeling that Osborne will be used sparingly. I can't see him being an ever present, more's the pity. Hope i'm wrong as he is a proper footballer.
I like Osborne but he does drift out of games - can't help but feel that he's not quite as good as Mr Bignot made him out to be.
That's not good. I got them one year many moons ago and it was flipping uncomfortable - and that's just as somebody who played 5-a-side and had a kickaround at weekends. Can't imagine how you could keep training and playing near 100% with them.
I'm not sure that the comparison between Osborne and Berrett is the right one. The quick-breaking, mesmerising, dribbling game is the style Osborne more closely shares with Dembele IMO. Berrett seems to me more of a 'tick-over' midfielder, certainly mis-placed on the left wing, where we now have Kelly. However, it's a great shame if Jamey has a recurrence of his shin splints-that will certainly restrict him. It will not have helped playing so many minutes already in pre-season on bone-hard surfaces.
It's quite clear to me that the standout players we have are Sam Jones, Jamey Osborne and this Dembele fella (I've not seen him yet, just going off reports). Berrett may well prove he's got a part to play this season (although I'm very dubious about this), but Osborne having no part to play, to me, is completely unthinkable. He's the sort of player we've been crying out for, for years. Pure class. Look at that ridiculous goal he scored the other week at Bradley; there's only a small percentage of players that can achieve that even without a goalkeeper to beat. Take him out of the team, and we lose a lot of guile.
OK, so it sounds like he has shin splints, but if he is not quite 100% fit he still needs to play, or at least start each game. I'd rather get 60 minutes out of Osborne than 90 minutes out of any of the others.
As I see it, Summerfield and Berrett are just getting in Harry Clifton's way of progressing. It's hard to clear them out because of Hurst being an idiot with contracts (remember, the York fans couldn't believe he'd done it....), but if they must stay then they should only be used IF they're better than the others.
I like the sound of Mitch Rose, Osborne I'm clearly a fan of, and I like Clements too (at least as a good backup, sometimes a starter). McAllister looked good when he eventually played at the end of last season (was it against Plymouth?), but he's clearly got major fitness issues. I've not seen much of him, but Clifton would be the next one for me knocking on the door. Berrett as a starter? Never. If he proves me wrong I'll be really happy and eat humble pie, but this whole thing concerns me at this stage.
I'm not anti Berrett and think he's probably one of those players that managers appreciate more than fans. I just want whats best for the team and we can female dog and moan all we like, but Slade will pick the players he thinks have the best chance of success. I really like Osborne, he's a throwback to players of the past when it wasn't all about strength and fitness. He looks to be a bit of a maverick and is exciting to watch but football now is a different game. I just get the feeling he's not a Slade type of player, but i could be way off beam here.
I don't think it's a toss up between Berrett and Osborne for a starting place but there are only 3 or 4 places up for grabs depending on formation used. Slade and Wilko are paid to make those decisions but we'll just have to wait and see i suppose.
FFS Osborne has played just as much pre season football as the rest - how has anyone decided he's out of favour? Classic Fishy
And also, McAllister is injured, Clifton is injured, Clements is injured or on compassionate leave. So we're probably going to play Berrett or Summerfield, it's not the end of the world.
No-one has said osborne is leaving, no-one has said they want osborne to leave, what has been said is THEY dont think he will start many games and THEY dont think he is a slade player..All could be completely wrong and was just a discussion..nothing more.
(remember, the York fans couldn't believe he'd done it....)
Actually, most York fans were saying Berrett was a great signing and their standout player in a bad season.
I'm sure him and Summerfield don't really care about the opinions of York fans though...they're playing in League 2 whilst York are two divisions below.
I think if summerfield played as normal midfielder rather than a holding midfielder he could be quite useful for us..20+ games I think he could score 5 or so goals for us..I dont think hes that bad a player as some others do.
I have to agree with sigone, I don't think Summerfield is nearly as bad as some on here make out.
He made a few misplaced passes in dangerous areas in the first few months of the season (most if not all of them didnt result in goals conceded anyway) but he was contributing to a midfield and a team that was in and around the play offs. He doesn't hide, even after said misplaced passes, he'd still get on the ball at the next opportunity and try and pass it again.
And he puts a shift in- which again disproves the "as long as they put in 100% we'll back them" malarkey that often gets spouted on here.
"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one."
I have to agree with sigone, I don't think Summerfield is nearly as bad as some on here make out.
He made a few misplaced passes in dangerous areas in the first few months of the season (most if not all of them didnt result in goals conceded anyway) but he was contributing to a midfield and a team that was in and around the play offs. He doesn't hide, even after said misplaced passes, he'd still get on the ball at the next opportunity and try and pass it again.
And he puts a shift in- which again disproves the "as long as they put in 100% we'll back them" malarkey that often gets spouted on here.
completely agree. in the games away at derby and bolton, i thought he was excellent
No-one has said osborne is leaving, no-one has said they want osborne to leave, what has been said is THEY dont think he will start many games and THEY dont think he is a slade player..All could be completely wrong and was just a discussion..nothing more.
I think if summerfield played as normal midfielder rather than a holding midfielder he could be quite useful for us..20+ games I think he could score 5 or so goals for us..I dont think hes that bad a player as some others do.
I don't think either of them are 'bad' players, I just doubt they're quite what we need if we want to improve on last season. I thought Summerfield played pretty well at the games at Blundell Park early last season (Stevenage, for example), but the games I didn't go to, especially the away games, people were scathing of him. General consensus seemed to be that he was awful. I just think him and Berrett are 'OK', which isn't gonna be enough. I'm sure that all 24 teams have 'OK' players. The one thing that we as fans will never, ever stomach again, is a relegation battle in League 2, the risks are too high. We need to get into League 1 in the not-too-distant future and put as much of a gap between us and the Conference as is humanly possible!
FFS! Let Berrett have a chance in his preferred position rather than stick him on the left wing because we've got no-one else. Hurst signed him and then played him in a role that was clearly uncomfortable to him so The Fishy decides he's excrement and should never play again. I don't think there's much between Clements and Berrett as centre mid - I don't believe either are good enough to take us up - but if James Berrett starts at Chesterfield then he'll get my support.
Give him a chance.....do you not think he has had opportunities ? Rarely do football fans agree but he has had plenty of appearances and i think the majority of people are not convinced he is of a standard that we require to push forward. Regardless of where he plays you can guage certain things about a player, because in football there are only so many things that you do as key elements of your game. I have concerns about;
his pace his tackling ability his aerial ability his strength his passing ability his vision
so i wouldnt want him in the engine room, the only attribute i can see he has is he tends to hold his position...but is that enough ?
Maybe i am missing something which is beyond my own level of technical understanding of the game but if that is the case, then i am not alone wallowing in ignorance. You say you would give him your support if he runs out Chesterfield but i bet inside your heart would drop when the team was announced and Berrett was starting centre mid.
2023/24 DLWDDWDLLLWDLLLLWDDDWDLLWLDLLDWDDWLLDWLWLW 2022/23LDWDWWDWLLDWWDLLLDLWLLWLWLLWDDLDWWDDDLLWDWLWLW 2021/22 WDWWWWDLWWWWLLLWLLDLWLLWWDWWWLWDLWWDWWWDLWD play offs WWW Promoted 🥳 2020/21 LLDWWLDLDWLWLLLDLWLLDLLDLLLWLLLDDDDWDDDLWLWLWL .. hello darkness my old friend 2019/20 WDLDWWLDLWWLLLDLDLDLDDWWDLLWDDWWL WLLW - ended 2018/19 LWDDLLLLLLWWDWLLLWDWLWWWWLLLLWWWWDLLLDDLLDLWLW Hello Scunny
Actually, most York fans were saying Berrett was a great signing and their standout player in a bad season.
I'm sure him and Summerfield don't really care about the opinions of York fans though...they're playing in League 2 whilst York are two divisions below.
When we signed the two, I had a chat with one of our customers who is a big fan of York. He described Berrett as a good footballer but was less complimentary about Summerfield, saying his problem was a lack of concentration. I think we've seen that from Summerfield, even in some of his better games as he was always liable to give possession away in a dangerous area and we were punished a couple of times for this.
That said, without these errors, I think he has more to offer than Berrett and I seem to remember that the Plymouth fans thought he ran the game when we won 3-0 at Home Park. The problem is that you don't get him without the errors very often!
I'd personally rather see Clements play than either of these two, but they are still with us so will no doubt have some part to play this season. It will be interesting to see if Clifton gets a chance with us at any playing time this year. Reportedly a lad with a great deal of potential so he needs to be playing games somewhere. Perhaps worth getting him out on loan until Christmas and then seeing if he can come back and get involved here? Assuming the loan rules allow this, of course.
When we signed the two, I had a chat with one of our customers who is a big fan of York. He described Berrett as a good footballer but was less complimentary about Summerfield, saying his problem was a lack of concentration. I think we've seen that from Summerfield, even in some of his better games as he was always liable to give possession away in a dangerous area and we were punished a couple of times for this.
That said, without these errors, I think he has more to offer than Berrett and I seem to remember that the Plymouth fans thought he ran the game when we won 3-0 at Home Park. The problem is that you don't get him without the errors very often!
I'd personally rather see Clements play than either of these two, but they are still with us so will no doubt have some part to play this season. It will be interesting to see if Clifton gets a chance with us at any playing time this year. Reportedly a lad with a great deal of potential so he needs to be playing games somewhere. Perhaps worth getting him out on loan until Christmas and then seeing if he can come back and get involved here? Assuming the loan rules allow this, of course.
BUT, if Clifton's good enough, just play him! Age shouldn't matter. Lack of experience? Having no experience is better than having a couple of relegations already on your CV. I know this is very judgemental of some of our players, but honestly, you've got to be sh#t to get relegated from League 2; I don't think any of our players when we were down in the conference would have managed that if they were in the league instead. You think of some of the garbage players we had when we went down; we have players of that calibre in the squad right now. The players who were consistently poor last season were Summerfield, Berrett, Boyce and Davies; they just didn't look up to this level.
As for Clements, the guy has an eye for goal, which makes him an effective player. Nowhere near as effective as Osborne at creating and probing, but a good player nonetheless.
I'd say Davies is more than comfortable at this level. He only looked out of place when Bignot exposed his 35 year old limbs at wing back on a few occasions. When he had a proper winger in front of him he looked class.
I've wasted my life in black and white, a pathetic act for a worthless cause
I'd say Davies is more than comfortable at this level. He only looked out of place when Bignot exposed his 35 year old limbs at wing back on a few occasions. When he had a proper winger in front of him he looked class.
I agree, yes. I hope you're right.
I have no doubt that previously in his career, League 2 would have been well beneath Davies. He has class, I just hope his body can cope. Fingers crossed.
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