Drab first half; very good second half. Well played.
Camp - Didn't have to do a lot, but noticed that his first choice when in possession was to give the ball to his full backs.
Back Four - Collins was the most impressive/imposing. Couple of slips from Halford when he was in the centre, but looked better at RB, Harding was solid at the back and OK going forward, great covering when N'Zogbia broke through one tme; Moloney did what you would expect. Freeman and Lascelles not given enough tiome to make a judgement really.
Midfield - Started without a right winger so unbalanced in the first half. Pep Gillett and Raddi all tried playing wide, but it never worked as well as it did when Moussa came on in the second half, hope we sign him. Pep got better as the game went on, but the midfield took control when Moose and McGugan came on. Not sure why we have signed Gillet he didn't look as good as what we have in abundance already. On Saturday's performance I wouldn't pick him ahead of Pep, Raddi, McGugan, Moose, or Cohen.
Strikers - Dex and Ish didn't threaten but were not given much service or support by the midfield in the first half. Goldie was a revelation, with Tudgay caused plenty of problems for the Villa defence.
Overall it is looking promising especially if we sign Ayala, and Moussa. Still places up for grabs, but if we make those two signings and based on Saturdays performance, my team against Brizzle would be:
Camp
Halford Ayala Collins Harding
Moussa Pep McGugan Reid
Tudgay Dex
Views on the Villa Victory
posted on 6/8/12
I was really shocked by McGoldrick - I know pre-season doesn't count for much but he did tremendously well after he came on. Tudgays goal was very well taken.
Moussa had a hand in two of the goals and seemed to fit nicely into the side. The defence looked good considering the short time they've been together.
Dex maybe felt the pressure of the captains armband. I feel that Reid would be a better captain.
posted on 6/8/12
Well done on the Villa victory and good luck for the season, Forest.
Do give Gillett a chance. He was our most consistent player last season - one of the few good things in a generally depressing season. His contract expired and although Saunders really wanted to keep him, budget constraints probably meant that we couldn't offer him what he could get elsewhere. On top of that, the chance to play for Forest, still in the Championship and to link up with SoD again would have been very attractive to him. He will always give you 100%. He gets his foot in and breaks up the opposition's play and his vision and distribution are good. If he's in your team, he'll always give value and if he's more of a squad player, he'll be ready to roll and will give good, consistent performances when you need him. You need strength in depth if you're going to push for promotion and therefore I think he's an excellent signing for you.
posted on 6/8/12
Thanks for the insight
He sounds as though he'll be an asset, and despite what other people say, he is what we need. Too many of our central midfielders are wildly inconsistent, so having a solid player in the middle of the park will be great for us. Whether he gets a chance to make in impact we'll have to wait and see, given that it is our most covered position.
posted on 6/8/12
I think he sounds a good signing. Sometimes people overlook his type. It's funny that there are so many fans of McGugan who is possibly the opposite of Gillett but the odd cracking goal aside makes less impact.
Maybe we should send McGugan and Gillett through The Fly machine and come up with the perfect midfielder. We'd probably end up with one that has no flair and a bad attitude instead though.
posted on 6/8/12
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 6/8/12
I agree we need consistent performers and SO'D will know him well so yes I'm prepared to wait before judging. I was just giving an opinion on his performance on Saturday.
It's all about balance, we need a lot of player who will give 8 out of 10 every week, but we need a few who will give 9 one week knowing they may give 6 the next.
Also in the first half he was moved from centre to wide which wouldn't have helped when playing in a new team.
I don't really expect the team to settle down for about three months
posted on 6/8/12
Redfor50years,
Thanks for the match report. It is looking better and I agree we need to sign another CB - Ayala looks quite good. Don't want to rely on Halford at CB.
I'm not so sure about your starting 11 though. That midfield 4 looks too attacking with little protection for the back 4. Put Moose or Gillet ahead of McGugan and I think it's a better balance.
posted on 6/8/12
i'd keep mcgugan as an impact sub. he was brilliant at it the other season. every time he came on he scored. a midfield of pep, cohen and moussi would be a very solid start. lewis can come on and try and do something a bit different. if we can get ishmail to start putting some consistent performances in i think we should play 4-3-3 with miller, dexter and reid as the attacking 3 and the above midfield trio.
posted on 6/8/12
Nice match report. I think we'll need all of our midfielders for the campaign ahead. Gillet could be the solid presence we have been missing since McKenna expired.
posted on 7/8/12
We need to be looking at the following team
Camp
Halford [New CB] Collins Harding
Moussa Geddy Majewski Reid
Blackstock Cox
Subs
Darlow or Rashidi
Maloney
Cohen
Moussi
Gillett
McGugan
Tudgay