Pre-season friendlies 2014

[Hoop Blah]

Because pre-season is about getting fit

Is it not also about integrating new players into the team developing partnerships and an understanding of each others game? Which, like fitness, is best done in match situations.

I'd say training is more effective at drilling and building partnerships and team play, purely because you can go over it time and time again and work through situations whereas in a game your fine tuning and being reactive to what the game throws at you.

I hope Kulh gets a good chance this year because for me he's looked the best midfielder to come through since Karacan. It's a little harder to trust an inexperienced 18 year old in a position of discipline like centre half or that holding midfield role that Kuhl looks comfortable in.

[P!ssed Off]

Because pre-season is about getting fit

Is it not also about integrating new players into the team developing partnerships and an understanding of each others game? Which, like fitness, is best done in match situations.

Bear in mind some of the 1st teamers are fairly new to the role and wouldn't be properly integrated yet either if we're talking match situations e.g. Hector, Edwards, Taylor, even Akpan and Blackman.


Despite having signed nobody, strangely the 1st team has changed significantly (though this is partly only temporary due to injuries).

[Simon's Church]

Ok, youre probably right. Just seemed strange to me that in a massively depleted squad, these 2 werent given more of a chance to make an impression

[Pepe the Horseman]

Was Edwards as bad as expected today?

[ZacNaloen]

He was alright, some clever play etc but he needs to hit the weights

[yappy]

Pretty anonymous IMO. Definitely looks a bit lightweight, but as do Taylor & Tanner who are all vying for that position.

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

So what's happened to that Cardwell chappy? He may be young but he is a real talent..... has to be better than lard arse HRK up-front.

[ZacNaloen]

He was only 17 last year, he needs time

[TFF]

LOL @ the East Stand shirter who got a bit emotional right at the end. Ran onto the playing surface in the corner gesturing at Swansea. Dragged out and ejected by the stewards - probably nicked outside.

That'll be a short season for him

[bobby1413]

LOL @ the East Stand shirter who got a bit emotional right at the end. Ran onto the playing surface in the corner gesturing at Swansea. Dragged out and ejected by the stewards - probably nicked outside.

That'll be a short season for him

Really? At a pre season friendly? Wowzers

[Martin41]

LOL @ the East Stand shirter who got a bit emotional right at the end. Ran onto the playing surface in the corner gesturing at Swansea. Dragged out and ejected by the stewards - probably nicked outside.

That'll be a short season for him

Really? At a pre season friendly? Wowzers

Yes, really embarrassing!
Almost as bad as the group of children giving it the hard man routine!
About 6-8 of them, about 16-17 yrs old, easy to spot with the ginger kid!!!
There parents must be so proud.
Saw them whilst waiting in the car, think if you said boo to them loudly they may run off crying!!!
Kids today!!!!!

[sandman]

LOL @ the East Stand shirter who got a bit emotional right at the end. Ran onto the playing surface in the corner gesturing at Swansea. Dragged out and ejected by the stewards - probably nicked outside.

That'll be a short season for him

Really? At a pre season friendly? Wowzers

Yes, really embarrassing!
Almost as bad as the group of children giving it the hard man routine!
About 6-8 of them, about 16-17 yrs old, easy to spot with the ginger kid!!!
There parents must be so proud.
Saw them whilst waiting in the car, think if you said boo to them loudly they may run off crying!!!
Kids today!!!!!

Racist!!!

[Martin41]

Same comment all the time Sandman.......... Originality is not your strong point!

[Will95]

16-17? They're only 14-16, you give them too much credit! Complete and utter tossers as well (bar one) who would run if a mouse attacked them, pathetic lot.

[Martin41]

16-17? They're only 14-16, you give them too much credit! Complete and utter tossers as well (bar one) who would run if a mouse attacked them, pathetic lot.

You may be right.......sad little boys.
I think there was a pic of them on here the other week, from a friendly.
Poor fashion sense, and I seem to recognise the ginger kid.
Next home game, just point and laugh at them!!!!!

[Snowball]

Let's try to remember that we were playing a Premiership side, shall we?

Before the game, I thought we'd be slaughtered and 0-4 by half time.

Both McArthy and Federici were excellent, genuine top class at Championship level. Full backs were fine. Hector is going to be a very fine CB/DMF.

Edwards is going to be a very decent player and will improve as he bulks up. Blackman looked very decent. Pog was OK. Akpan was decent and great goal.

KHUL is going to be a star. Federici's "double-save" (where he went full length to his left to save a shot that was blocked, then got up to save on the opposite post) was quite brilliant.

[sandman]

Ageist as well as racist!!! Disgwaceful!!!

[Martin41]

16-17? They're only 14-16, you give them too much credit! Complete and utter tossers as well (bar one) who would run if a mouse attacked them, pathetic lot.

There is a pic of them page 3 of Exeter friendly, oh dear!!!!

[EarleyRoyal16]

Thought we actually looked OK at times just Swansea's premier league quality showed.

Wouldn't mind seeing Hector permanently occupy a midfield role, passes well, and he's not Akpan.

Kuhl is absolutely brilliant, hope he gets plenty of games throughout the season.

Edwards looked a little bit lightweight but still good, he'll improve as the season goes on.

[winchester_royal]

In retrospect I feel maybe I was a little harsh on Hector and Edwards. Neither did anything wrong and they were playing against a good Swansea team so deserve the benefit of the doubt. Kuhl is a massive talent though and if we're looking to play it out from the back we need him in for one of the two lanky guys currently playing there as they don't have his awareness or ability to dict8