A few thoughts

[clarkeysntfc]

First time I've seen us this season as I've been on holiday, so I've a few thoughts on today.

'Match day experience'
West stand loos have been vastly improved, no half time crush!
Barcode scanning on tickets is quicker than tearing them = quicker access to the ground.
West stand has been given a lick of paint e.g. the steps. The old scoreboard is gone and the ground generally looks smarter.
Easy to get a programme as usual.
The new PA announcer knows how to use a microphone. A vast improvement.
Good atmosphere and decent gate, especially given the early KO and TV. Saturday 3pm we'd have been pushing 7,500 I believe.

The Match
Pleased with the business Page has done over the summer. Style of play is not a major change on last season, except we seem happier to let the other team have possession until they approach our final third. Defensively looked a bit wobbly at set plays/quick throws. I imagine Zakuani's leadership will help fix that.
Anderson is a significant upgrade on Adams, he'll be really good when he's fit and might even fill Ricky's old boots.
McCourt & Taylor are an upgrade on Taylor & Byrom.
Beautyman looked really busy and was always in the mix.
Revell must have an extra lung somewhere. Big upgrade on Collins.
Back 5 just as good as last year, not sure about Nyatanga but will give him the benefit of the doubt.
Gorre looks like a fairly typical product of the U23 league. Clearly has pace and ability but needs a significant improvement in his end product and must get better at tracking back.
We've a strong squad if D'Ath, Phillips, O'Toole and Zakani are all uninvolved and we can still name as strong an 18 as we did today.

Overall - I think that other than the obvious loss of Holmes, Page looks to have kept the nucleus of last season's squad and upgraded some players (Taylor, Adams, Cresswell, Byrom, Collins) with better ones (McCourt, Anderson, Nyatanga, Zakuani, M Taylor, Revell). If we play with the same intensity and consistency throughout the season it could be a good season.

[OldStratfordCobbler]

First time I've seen us this season as I've been on holiday, so I've a few thoughts on today.

'Match day experience'
West stand loos have been vastly improved, no half time crush!
Barcode scanning on tickets is quicker than tearing them = quicker access to the ground.
West stand has been given a lick of paint e.g. the steps. The old scoreboard is gone and the ground generally looks smarter.
Easy to get a programme as usual.
The new PA announcer knows how to use a microphone. A vast improvement.
Good atmosphere and decent gate, especially given the early KO and TV. Saturday 3pm we'd have been pushing 7,500 I believe.

The Match
Pleased with the business Page has done over the summer. Style of play is not a major change on last season, except we seem happier to let the other team have possession until they approach our final third. Defensively looked a bit wobbly at set plays/quick throws. I imagine Zakuani's leadership will help fix that.
Anderson is a significant upgrade on Adams, he'll be really good when he's fit and might even fill Ricky's old boots.
McCourt & Taylor are an upgrade on Taylor & Byrom.
Beautyman looked really busy and was always in the mix.
Revell must have an extra lung somewhere. Big upgrade on Collins.
Back 5 just as good as last year, not sure about Nyatanga but will give him the benefit of the doubt.
Gorre looks like a fairly typical product of the U23 league. Clearly has pace and ability but needs a significant improvement in his end product and must get better at tracking back.
We've a strong squad if D'Ath, Phillips, O'Toole and Zakani are all uninvolved and we can still name as strong an 18 as we did today.

Overall - I think that other than the obvious loss of Holmes, Page looks to have kept the nucleus of last season's squad and upgraded some players (Taylor, Adams, Cresswell, Byrom, Collins) with better ones (McCourt, Anderson, Nyatanga, Zakuani, M Taylor, Revell). If we play with the same intensity and consistency throughout the season it could be a good season.

Very accurate review.

[everbrite]

Very accurate review.

Good write up - even read it all!

[Lanakings]

Good write up - even read it all!