Peterborough

We all know the main problem last season was scoring goals, every team will concede but we would go behind and the confidence would go, whereas this season although we will concede I feel we will still be in games as we have a stronger frontline. So here's to a bit more anticipation of a successful season.

Interesting run out against a very technical and composed Peterborough side, will have helped us work on our defensive shape as they must’ve had a good 60% possession at least. They carved us open 3 or 4 times in the first half hour which was concerning but we seemed to get to grips with it a little more after that. On the ball we definitely had the obvious option of going with the longer ball towards Hanson and feeding off him, this worked a few times and will cause teams no end of problems. I think we maybe did it a little too much at times though and would like to see a bit more variation, I can’t remember us attempting to play out from a goal kick once, it went to Hanson every time.

Mattie Pollock is a real prospect. He defends so well, is brave and committed, the more games he plays the more composure on the ball he will get and he’ll be able to use it more wisely. I actually wouldn’t be surprised or worried if he started ahead of Davis next week.

Our midfield is at times little one dimensional, very honest and hardworking, but we still miss that one player who stands out for technical ability, whether it be a winger or central player who can just show a bit of class on the ball and beat a man or with a killer pass. If we’re going with three in the centre then we need to have at least one creative player in there, especially without us having any natural wingers (what does Jolley have against playing with wingers 🤷🏼‍♂️) Hopefully that player or players will arrive before the window shuts.

Of the new lads, Hewitt didn’t do an awful lot in open play from midfield but put 3 or 4 lovely first time crosses in from the right hand side that we were unlucky not to score from. Whitehouse (I’ll class him as a new lad) covered a good bit of ground and looks like he’ll be excellent when we’re pressing the opposition. Neat and tidy in possession without much flair. Matt Green worked hard and ran the channels well in tandem with Rose (who I thought was one of our better players) and looked to buzz around Hanson, was unlucky not to score in the second half. As for Hanson himself, I think he’s a class player at this level, excellent in the air, strong and a real presence in the final third, needs proper service to be fully effective.

All in all not a bad performance against what I thought looked a good side. Some work to be done and some players to be signed, but if we can add one or two with a bit of quality I think we’ve got a much better squad than last season and in a lot better state than when MJ arrived.

Did the new floodlights make a difference today ?

Enjoyable game. Peterboro' have some good players, Dembelle caused panic whenever he got the ball but a bit too greedy. Their goalkeeper made outstanding saves or else we would have had something to show for several good efforts. Thought Hanson, Green and Rose worked well together.n Hewitt played better at full back-just wish Hess. would be allowed to play more of an attacking role. Still quite a bit of work to do but will only be playing against league 2 teams instead of the Posh. Attacking midfielder and a winger should be on our shopping list if there are any about.

Was very impressed again with Pollock imo should be a starter next week at Morecambe

Quoted from OllieGTFC

Did the new floodlights make a difference today ?

They were actually on today, don't know why but what do I know.

Showing off to the Posh

Gotta say it was a good workout for the team but posh did look a pretty handy side...plenty of pace and moved the ball very quickly...can't see any league 2 sides being anywhere near their standard...
Up front Hanson and Greene seemed to have a good understanding of each other and Rose put himself about and showed his burst of pace, unlucky to out the header in the first half just past the post...
No really negatives taken away from today.. certainly we look more of a threat up top and I do expect more goals to come this season...
Barry Fry p@ssed me off tho, parked his car like a right arrogant get blocking the car next to him in....silly old twit...

Excellent performance - roll on next week ☺

Good work out against a good footballing side.
Very positive.
Re enforced my opinion that Ring is not good enough 🙁