I put from my thoughts the appalling debacle of last season and went to Saturday's friendly with an open mind.
Middlesborough, even without their new contingent of star players were good. Very good. Their passing was accurate and their movement was constant. They didn't carve out too many chances but they put away two of them with aplomb. But what of Rovers? It is hard to judge individuals when your team is being totally outclassed but here goes. In goal Etheridge and then Marosi didn't make any terrible blunders and couldn't have kept out either strike. Evina was far better at LB than the youthful Garratt. Lund was adequate at RB as was Butler at CH. Alcock was all action as usual but made a couple of poor passes. In midfield Middleton was ok, as was Coppinger. Blair was, frankly, a big disappointment. Rowe and Calder were much better, and Calder deserved his MoM as he had the only really fierce shot on goal during the whole match. Further forward Pugh tried hard but Mandeville was poor as were Longbottom, Marquis and Williams. Towards the end Ferguson wheeled on a couple of youngsters in Reece Fielding (midfield) and Josh Barker (defender) who both looked like reasonable prospects. Barker seemed was very composed in defence. Last season we didn't have a cutting edge. On the basis of that performance we still don't.
Middlesborough
posted on 18/7/16
Thanks 4 that alibi.
We are all off on Wednesday.
The thing i did notice at Rosso was we were getting crosses in from dead ball line as opposed to last season were we were crossing from just over half way line
posted on 18/7/16
You guys confident of going back up this season? Or fearing a continued tumble?
posted on 18/7/16
Didn't happen against Middlesbro. As a consequence Rovers were being picked off trying to play it through the middle. The best chance came when Calder got away down their right wing and fired in a good shot.
posted on 18/7/16
Williams not good again then.
I am hoping he will come up with the goods this season.
I really hope he does it I am not happy with a Curtis situation where he will be jeered every time he plays.
I no Rosso was just a pre season kick about but as I said his body language looked different to the other players
posted on 19/7/16
With it being pre season i dont read too much into how things are. Changes in personel formations and tactics just to assess different ways and means. Not only that we may only play someone of boro's quality once this season if we get far in cup comps.
We did do well last pre season including beating the mackems and look what happened! Anyway im hopeful of a top 3 spot. We seem to be the team everyone wants to beat on league 2 forums and in most peoples predictions to go up automatically. To me top 7 is the minimum. More leading towards top 3. Anything less is a big fail.
posted on 19/7/16
Good luck, it's a tough league
If you like to play a decent passing game, you'll just be kicked off the pitch... Newport, Accrington, Notts County were the worst 3 offenders from last season.
posted on 19/7/16
Robben. I can see it being a straight battle for us yourselves and maybe luton for the top 3. Could be an interesting season 👍
posted on 19/7/16
We've been tipped for automatic promotion for the past 4 seasons... starting to feel Scouse in saying 'this year is our year' again...
Can't wait to get started though - next weekend now