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Post by Marc on Jul 23, 2022 13:02:21 GMT
Final pre-season friendly
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Post by Marc on Jul 23, 2022 14:31:57 GMT
0-1 Eze (who else)
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Post by surreychad on Jul 23, 2022 14:41:20 GMT
we still look short in front of goal but overall playing well.
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Post by surreychad on Jul 23, 2022 15:09:11 GMT
very well taken goal by Zaha goes in deflected off dickie
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Post by harr on Jul 23, 2022 15:54:14 GMT
Walk in the Park for Palace …. We seemed half a sleep when defending. Dykes was dreadful
Need a RB sharpish and probably someone up front , Sinclair achieved more in 6 minutes than Dykes did in 84. Looks a talent that young kid. Willock and a couple of others missing but for a last match even against Prem opposition would have expected more than that showing.
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Post by powerpump on Jul 24, 2022 3:40:42 GMT
The score is a wake up call as we were easliy beaten . In my view we badly need a proper proven goalscorer. Our history shows we do well when we have someone who bangs them in, eg Marsh, Bowles, Stainrod, Austin etc etc I do not put Dykes into that category
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Post by hitmanrangers on Jul 24, 2022 7:42:32 GMT
That was a hard watch if I am honest. Yes a good Premier League side but not a lot of positives from us mainly as we had no new players other than the two defenders. Whilst we did not have a lot of the ball, noticable with just two centre backs there was the less of the boring passing across the backline in our own half that we saw last year, which was good to see. Not a lot of pressing which surprised me but we miss Amos for that. Johansen, Dozzell and Field does not work as a three in the midfield, all too similar and all left footed. Field, I reate highly, and this is a big season for Johansen given expectations when he first joined and then he just declined throughout last season. He is probably our highest earner so if he doesn't step up, then I expect Beale will offload in January so he can use the funds elsewhere in the team and get in a younger, more phyiscal and dynamic midfielder. We need a real powerhouse in there espically when playing a three. Amos will add much needed sharpish to those positions, plus the new lad from Brighton, so that will certainly help and both were unavailable. I'd like to see a front three of Chair, Roberts and Willock, playing as a three and not 2-1, because when the ball got to Dykes he had no options for second ball. Dykes is a strange one, not sure what length of contract we gave him but this is his third season so probably his last as we either need to sell or he will think he can still get a decent move to a stronger team. Every team wants a 20+ goals striker but they cost money that we don't have, or you get lucky with unearthing an unknown. I see this squad having 3-4 players (Dykes, Roberts, Chair, Willock) capable of getting 10-15 goals each which is another way to look at the source of where the goals will come from, if they can all stay fit. If we tighten up defensively, which seems to be Beale's main focus given his comments over pre-season and in most interviews, then we will likely win more than we lose. A transitional season again I think, much like Warburton's first, but I have confidence in Beale's eye for a good player. Its a tough set of early fixtures, on paper, which will certaintly test us. That said,a thumping first home win v Middlesbrough will put this all to bed! Patience needed this year!
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Post by harr on Jul 24, 2022 8:05:53 GMT
Surely Villa have a forward we can loan ? I do worry about us putting so much effort in the Millwall lad we won’t have time to focus elsewhere but sure I read we had loan options if McNamara failed. Anyhow, we have a week to have some more training get the other 4 guys match fit and try to get the minimum two players we still need. I think Blackburn have some injury concerns with Dack one of there better players.
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Post by rickyqpr on Jul 24, 2022 10:41:21 GMT
I am very torn regarding our strikers. I felt last season that we rarely played to the strengths of our strikers. Dykes had looked a different player when performing for Scotland, receiving better service - or perhaps he tried harder for Scotland? Bonne could not stay on side for QPR, he plays off the shoulder (as did Gray) and the ball was played too late - or were they both poor at timing their runs and looking across the line? Bonne scored plenty for Ipswich (and in pre-season at QPR) but then dried up at Ipswich. I keep hoping that with a decent coach, we can get more out of our current forwards with better service / better timing... but as soon as we came up against a better team yesterday, it looked like the same problems as last season. I suppose if he gets a loan signing to play up front Bonne will be gone and Kelman loaned out. It seems that the Hampton game yesterday was a showcase for out going loans Bettache, Alfa, Dukes-McKenna, Owens, Kelman and Masterson (who was captain) all on display. We also played Harefield yesterday as well.
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Post by nomar on Jul 24, 2022 19:48:16 GMT
I thought we played well without ever really looking like we’d score.
The first two goals were long range strikes and the pen was really soft. I guarantee you those don’t get given to the opponent at The Etihad, Anfield or Old Trafford etc.
Zaha was the difference and it was clear he was by far the best player on the pitch.
Still work to do, and it will take time for the players to fully gel in the new system, but it just need a bit of patience. It’s pleasing to see that we are going to put a lot if crosses into the opposition box this season, though!
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Post by kerrins on Jul 25, 2022 10:17:12 GMT
Looks like there were some positives to be gained from the encounter.
However I still have serious concerns about our combination of Front players/strikers. Sorry there is no way that they are better than Austin and Gray in my opinion. They appear to me not up to a decent Championship standard.
I shall be at Blackburn this weekend. Interesting to see what happens
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Post by harr on Jul 25, 2022 10:33:19 GMT
I guess we will be getting a loan Striker in shortly in the meantime that leaves us with Dykes , Bonne and Armstrong. My guess is when the loan striker comes in we will decide who of Bonne or Armstrong to send out on loan. Personally I would keep Armstrong but saying that and as much as I think Bonne was a poor buy you can’t help but think all of a sudden he has been scoring a few goals in the friendlies. Can he do it in the Championship, personally I would have rather had Gray than Bonne and see your point Kerrins.
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