Reason for our slow starts to the season...

Pre season is about getting the fitness right. Maybe we need a few additional games of a better standard near to seasons start?

But we dont see the full first 11 together until the last match or so.

I would think the internationals we have wouldnt need to play into form, but you are right...past seasons show something needs changing....maybe?

We could have a tough pre season, a cracking start then drop off after xmas <tikes>

Well the match report from last night suggests you were given a decent pre-season test at Tannadice. Albeit, you did not have your strongest 11 on the park.

Everton won 1-0 with a late goal against the run of play.

In recent years we have been slow starters too. But I think that has more to do with us losing a significant number of our starting 11 every summer.

We are in the draw for Europa League quailifying round today - with a chance of drawing your city rivals.

Hopefully a visit to Liverpool on the cards within the next few weeks

Good luck in the draw

Sounds like your lot were a little further on in preperation to me.

A good run out for us

Sounds like your lot were a little further on in preperation to me.
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Yeah, that was our third pre-season game.

We lost to Rapid Vienna across in Austria and beat our city rivals 3-0 at their ground last Saturday.

Good luck for the season ahead. I'll be lookin out for The Toffees on MoTD

But even when we do have our so-called strong 11 out Mr Moyes and his advisor's still play us against what could be called inferior opposition (all respect). I wouldn't mind seeing us play strong opposition and lose, just to see if the metaphorical kick up the backside would urge us on to a decent start for a change

Also every pre-season it is a constant battle against conjecture and rumour, not for the first time, normally started by our beloved media. The latest titbit being that SAF is considering a £8 Mill bid for Baines, now that is downright gutter journalism and 99 percent certainly posted in order to stir up trouble and unsettle Moyes.