I was sat amongst hundreds of Benfica fans last night. After the final whistle I really wanted to go to my 'happy place'...
I'm still working out how being outclassed, outplayed and comprehensively beaten 4-0 by the Portuguese elite is 'good preparation' for the coming season. Idiakez and Phillips displayed a better touch in the warm up. We seemed a yard off the pace, any move breaking down after two or three passes, and seemingly able to be passed at will.
On the plus side, Pearson recognises we need to do better. Damn right.
Also, a couple of good signs in the previous nights showing with the U18/U21s against Setubal. There was more fight from us in the second half of that game than in this one.
Also, on the plus side, I am old enough to remember us beating Benfica in anger. Something I reminded my Portuguese neighbours of as I made my excuses and headed out into the balmy Algarve night, Mrs. Moj in tow, explaining that it isn't always like this, and her first view of the Rams live shouldn't reflect the coming season. Or perhaps I was just trying to convince myself.....
Agony in the Algarve
posted on 18/7/16
Walsall is twinned with Chernobyl.
posted on 18/7/16
Bit harsh Rubery. The ground had more character when it was Fellows Park.
I was there Easter Monday 1986 aged 13 when Ross McLaren scored a late equaliser to make it 1-1.
Graham Richards commentary was 'The ball would have ended up in Bloxwich if there hadn't been a net in the way'. Classic
posted on 18/7/16
I'm making the trip over to Warsaw on Saturday. Who else is on it?
posted on 19/7/16
comment by RamsfanBaz.🐑 Since I was young 🐑 (U2480)
posted 1 day, 14 hours ago
Wassa's comments could also be interesting as he was there!...
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Just like to say what an amazing trip and great to see so many Rams fans out there, great turnout. Regarding both games, we didn't bother going to the Friday night game because it was on TV over there. But it was great to see our up and coming youngsters come through the ranks, great future for a lot of our younger players.
Now Saturday's game, great turnout by the home fans and some brilliant banter by all concerned. The referee was a bit bias but, in saying that we were second best all over the park and that's understandable really. Buxton should've been sent off, cause he was the last man. But in saying that, it was only a friendly. Well played referee
We got told shackell had a knock, also karma.
Keogh was being rested and stayed back in Derby, along side Hendrick.
Now my rant, why Derby county did not lay on a couple of coaches for a lot of stranded Derby County fans is beyond me. We had to get a taxi to the train station, then we had to get a coach back the way we came to go to the ground, ridiculous really.
We didn't get home until after one in the morning because we were waiting for a coach for 45 minutes outside the ground.
There was also a lot of young Rams fans there who were tired and just wanted to go home.
My last rant is when only two players came over to applaud us Derby County fans for making the trip. thanks a lot Just to say Backo we are doing a coach to Walsall on Saturday
posted on 19/7/16
Thats a bit $hi te with the coach Wassa.
I ended up with all the benfica fans! Oh how they laughed as I had my head in my hands. Mrs. moj speaks a bit of Portuguese and they were all calling Martin a clown for falling over. He did manage to get two free kicks in the first few minutes of his introduction though, so at least he had an effect!
posted on 19/7/16
Backo, Wassa, I'll be at Walsall too
posted on 19/7/16
Mo I was talking to a Benfica fan who was a waiter at our local all he said was.... Who was the player who come on and was all arms and falling over all the time. Us lot just started to laugh
posted on 19/7/16
Baz
posted on 19/7/16
comment by AJisaram1973 (U2100)
posted 11 hours, 54 minutes ago
Bit harsh Rubery. The ground had more character when it was Fellows Park.
I was there Easter Monday 1986 aged 13 when Ross McLaren scored a late equaliser to make it 1-1.
Graham Richards commentary was 'The ball would have ended up in Bloxwich if there hadn't been a net in the way'. Classic
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Yes Ross has got a good shot on him. I remember when he scored a goal like that when he was playing for Kirk Langley, it nearly broke the net. Sadly he was getting rather slow as his knees had gone!
I was the linesman in those days and Ross had always got plenty of advice for me when a young chap had ran past him. Off side you ******* **** was his catch phrase.
posted on 20/7/16
See you there Wassa,Baz