Pre-Season Friendlies

[west stand oap]

Will any of our 4 absentees take any part in todays game ( Hoskins, Rose McWilliams and Sowerby)?
They have missed a considerable amount of the pre season and because of this it would appear unlikely they will make the starting 11 against Port Vale.

[Manwork04]

Will any of our 4 absentees take any part in todays game ( Hoskins, Rose McWilliams and Sowerby)?
They have missed a considerable amount of the pre season and because of this it would appear unlikely they will make the starting 11 against Port Vale.

We need McWilliams in there IMO.

[everbrite]

Why would armchair fans visit a football match? Would they not be at home waxing the legs on their Queen Anne, or reclining in their Parker Knoll?

I anticipate another season of endless inane comments from you aimed at others.

Just like you do - your sense of humour 

[west stand oap]

McWilliams starts today.

[GrangeParkCobbler]

Team for today....

Roberts; McGowan, Guthrie, Horsfall, Koiki; Connolly. McWiliams (S), Lewis, Pinnock; Ashley-Seal, Kabamba

Subs: Maxted, Pollock, Nelson, Flores, Mills, Chukwuemeka, Rose, McWilliams (C) ((Trialist))

Still no Hoskins or Sowerby. Harriman, Dyche, Flanagan and Cross also not involved.

[bungle]

Think we're probably pretty much looking at our starting X1 against Vale, barring injury.

However, I think the GK, left back and centre mid positions are all to some extent still up for grabs and will probably be decided based on the performances today. Good to see Rose on the bench - hope he gets some decent game time.

[everbrite]

You really are a prat.

No, the 'West Sussex Lot' will not be going to today's friendly but they will be going away to the likes of Newport, FGR, Harrogate, Barrow, and Bristol R. to name but a few.

You are belittling people who think nothing of driving long distances for a Tuesday night away game up north .. that's 4 more hours on the road compared to a Trooper like you.

Well I couldn’t resist the obvious leg pull, good old West Sussex lot given to the abusive comments! More Cobblers supporters here than oppo!

[west stand oap]

I think JB has settled on Roberts for GK. Only possible changes I see for next week would be possibly captain Mills at LB and if Rose gets a decent run out today he may replace Benny.
Surprised Camron McWilliams is still here as a trialist as we have 2 full backs for each position.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Team for today....

Roberts; McGowan, Guthrie, Horsfall, Koiki; Connolly. McWiliams (S), Lewis, Pinnock; Ashley-Seal, Kabamba

Subs: Maxted, Pollock, Nelson, Flores, Mills, Chukwuemeka, Rose, McWilliams (C) ((Trialist))

Still no Hoskins or Sowerby. Harriman, Dyche, Flanagan and Cross also not involved.

Making sure that Sammy doesn't get injured before Villa come in for him...

[Mysterious Curle]

Our right back is setting a fine example of how not to play right back here.

[everbrite]

Our right back is setting a fine example of how not to play right back here.

He is doing OK

[606 Parklands_Cobbler]

Our right back is setting a fine example of how not to play right back here.

well he started of on the wrong note by picking no.3 ...

[Mysterious Curle]

He is doing OK

He has since given away a penalty and taken a dive in their box. Comical stuff.

[Robas]

He has since given away a penalty and taken a dive in their box. Comical stuff.

Oh a new whipping boy for the site. Great news!

[guest3338]

Oh a new whipping boy for the site. Great news!

Not once he starts whipping the crosses in.

[Shoemaker]

Northampton town nil is becoming commonplace…..
Thank goodness Kelvin is on the case…..

[guest3063]

Northampton town nil is becoming commonplace…..
Thank goodness Kelvin is on the case…..

Every transfer window you come out with the same rubbish....boring 

[GrangeParkCobbler]

I'll take a point away from home against those.....keeper had a fine game and earned his clean sheet bonus today. 

[bungle]

A well-chosen benchmark friendly this: away at the side who finished in the top 2 in L2 last year.

I always argue that while individual friendly results are irrelevant, the friendlies taken as a holistic whole reveal general trends which can often manifest themselves in the season proper.

The good news for me is that the defence appears to be at least if not more solid as last season. I think Horsfall will go from strength-to-strength under Calderwood's tutelage, Guthrie looks solid and we appear to have strength in depth and the choice to go with either a defensive or more attacking option for both full backs. It's hard not to think that we have upgraded the goalkeepers and there appears to be genuine competition for places. The one concern at the back for me is what happens if Horsfall or Guthrie get injured.

Being hard to beat will get you a long, long way at L2 level so this augurs well.
 
The concern remains the other end. Are we creating more chances? Maybe. Pinnock has had a very good pre-season and looks genuinely creative. Connolly looks decent.
I think a lot will depend on Brady getting the right mix in central midfield. I think McWilliams has to start given that he's a proven L1 DM. He needs a more creative player maker type alongside him to feed the wingers and the strikers.  On the evidence that I've seen Flores is the best placed to fulfil that role although there's a rumour on twitter that he might be recalled by Hull.

Kabamba and BAS looked decent against Brum, but the jury is still out on them really.

IMO signing an experienced centre forward - Akinde or Hylton for instance - might make the difference between a midtable finish and promotion. 

[Coolcat]

You really are a prat.

No, the 'West Sussex Lot' will not be going to today's friendly but they will be going away to the likes of Newport, FGR, Harrogate, Barrow, and Bristol R. to name but a few.

You are belittling people who think nothing of driving long distances for a Tuesday night away game up north .. that's 4 more hours on the road compared to a Trooper like you.

Tuesday night games are all well and good...but what about a Wednesday night at Coventry?