4games confirmed for July, Macclesfield, Rochdale, Tranmere, and Port Vale, none of them very inspiring, but suppose it's about getting them fit.

Not from what I saw last season.

Much stronger and a more imposing presence, can shoot and a surprisingly neat touch around the box.

Just hope he gets a chance to express himself without being hounded. Then we'll see.

You clearly weren't watching what I was then

 

Good touch I'll give you that, but that's where it ended for me

 

And the reports from Millwall were remarkably similar

 

Fingers crossed we'll see more to his game now he's settled and had a pre-season etc but I say so in hope rather than expectation

You clearly weren't watching what I was then

 

Good touch I'll give you that, but that's where it ended for me

 

And the reports from Millwall were remarkably similar

 

Fingers crossed we'll see more to his game now he's settled and had a pre-season etc but I say so in hope rather than expectation

Well if we can't hope, what do we have left!

And surely his goal at Sheff Wed proved his shooting prowess.

I thought he was pretty influential in a couple of homes games too....pretty sure I was watching the same as you but perhaps we were picking up on different aspects of the game. Game of opinions and all that.

4-6-0

 

The future

I'm with you whoareya

 

I'v no doubt he will be in ahead of Medo when fully fit.

I'm with you whoareya

 

I'v no doubt he will be in ahead of Medo when fully fit.

Well I'll take that then unless Medo pulls his finger firmly out

 

And whoareaya I was lumping in his shooting with the "nice touch" bit...the boy can hit a good ball

I also saw enough of trotter to believe he can be an asset. Hopefully settled in and is good to go.

Noticed trotter had played a couple times for the Wanderers XI this pre-season. Is he coming back from an injury or something?

I was at Tonge CC today but even from there I could see we were poor.

Word for word exactly what I was about to post.

I'm so down the middle it's untrue.

It was only a friendly,but that team and that set up today will get us nowhere.

On a plus side...My little lad loved every minute of his first game today. Welcome aboard son haha

  

My lad loved the 42 minutes we lasted before we left. He'd seen enough and needed a drink (of milk)

Like father like son!

Must of been a theme yesterday, my Grandsons first match (only 3 mind), got his first defeat out the way nice en early.

Toothless, summed it up.

Proud day though having three generations there.

My lads only 14 months. Just thought I'd Get his first home game out of the way. Don't think I'll be doing another with him til he's 3 or 4 and he knows what's going on and can keep himself entertained.

My lads only 14 months. Just thought I'd Get his first home game out of the way. Don't think I'll be doing another with him til he's 3 or 4 and he knows what's going on and can keep himself entertained.

Steady on, he wont be able to have a beer until at least 15-16 years old I would have thought. 

i feel sorry for Beckford i really do. if the fella is wasteful in front of goal with 4/5 chances a game the abuse he gets of some would probably be warranted.

 

but hes lucky if he gets 4/5 touches and 1 half chance.we all know a lone strikers job is thankless and thats for somebody who can actually play the role.but its impossible for a guy who has always scored goals playing alongside someone and playing on the shoulder between the CB's.

 

The link between him and the central midfielder as part of that 3 is crucial and Pratley cannot and will not play that role successfully as long as i have a hole in my arse!

 

big problem yesterday was the gap in the middle of the park between Feeney/Pratley/Danns & spearing & medo. the front 3 pressed while the holding 2 sat 10 yard in front of the CB's. Their midfielder who scored the free kick run the show and didnt leave the centre circle!!

 

im sorry it may be a results business but watching us getting played off the park, sitting and hoping to nick the ball 25 yard from our goal to launch a diagonal towards the left/right midfielder expecting Beckford to live off scraps isnt for me and wont get the results needed.

 

there will be some good footballing sides in this league this year and unless theres a fundamental change in approach we're gonna be nowhere near

Some decent teams last year, but Burnley went up despite losing their best player just before the season started. I don't recall them being fancied at all or doing anything outstanding preseason.

 

Can't judge anything until we are a few competitive games down the line.

 

I don't think Dougie is avoiding buying front players, his problem is that the money is gone, so he has to make sure he gets the right players for the right money. Rather that than piss away more money on more deadwood. In the meantime, he'll have the usual moaners on his back shouting for his head - as if a new manager would suddenly summon up a few million for a striker or two!

Edited August 4, 201411 yr by Blixa

 

 

I'm sure loads would prefer a relegation battle than a season of absolute mid table mediocrity.

 A few fans wanted us out of the Prem because we would have more "fun" in this division, I wonder how that’s working out for them

i feel sorry for Beckford i really do. if the fella is wasteful in front of goal with 4/5 chances a game the abuse he gets of some would probably be warranted.

 

but hes lucky if he gets 4/5 touches and 1 half chance.we all know a lone strikers job is thankless and thats for somebody who can actually play the role.but its impossible for a guy who has always scored goals playing alongside someone and playing on the shoulder between the CB's.

 

The link between him and the central midfielder as part of that 3 is crucial and Pratley cannot and will not play that role successfully as long as i have a hole in my arse!

 

big problem yesterday was the gap in the middle of the park between Feeney/Pratley/Danns & spearing & medo. the front 3 pressed while the holding 2 sat 10 yard in front of the CB's. Their midfielder who scored the free kick run the show and didnt leave the centre circle!!

 

im sorry it may be a results business but watching us getting played off the park, sitting and hoping to nick the ball 25 yard from our goal to launch a diagonal towards the left/right midfielder expecting Beckford to live off scraps isnt for me and wont get the results needed.

 

there will be some good footballing sides in this league this year and unless theres a fundamental change in approach we're gonna be nowhere near

 

Agree with most of this. Beckford isn't very good but he will be worse if he's asked to do a job that doesn't suit him. The system played yesterday is not the answer. Pratley isn't good enough in that role, Beckford needs help and the wingers were expected to produce something all the time with no support. If you're going to play that way one of the midfield two has to be able to pass the ball accurately and forwards to build the attacks. Spearing and Medo are both poor on the ball and neither can create space.

 

I feel for Freedman in that he's working with few resources and hardly any real quality in the squad. But if he sets up like that it will just make things worse.

I don't think Dougie is avoiding buying front players, his problem is that the money is gone

 

About £1M of it went on Beckford and Davies.

About £1M of it went on Beckford and Davies.

What was the split

 

Out of interest, like

What was the split

 

Out of interest, like

 

We've obviously been promoted to the Premier League without me knowing it.

About £1M of it went on Beckford and Davies.

Out of interest, who would you have bought for the money, even with the benefit of hindsight?

Some decent teams last year, but Burnley went up despite losing their best player just before the season started. I don't recall them being fancied at all or doing anything outstanding preseason.

 

Can't judge anything until we are a few competitive games down the line.

 

I don't think Dougie is avoiding buying front players, his problem is that the money is gone, so he has to make sure he gets the right players for the right money. Rather that than piss away more money on more deadwood. In the meantime, he'll have the usual moaners on his back shouting for his head - as if a new manager would suddenly summon up a few million for a striker or two!

 

Agree with all this Blixa

 

 

 

 A few fans wanted us out of the Prem because we would have more "fun" in this division, I wonder how that’s working out for them

 

I'm enjoying it just dandy, still not arsed about the Prem (though appreciate that the "club" as a business need a season up there)

 

 

 A few fans wanted us out of the Prem because we would have more "fun" in this division, I wonder how that’s working out for them

 

With regards to the whole away day experience, then it's definitely far more fun.........most of the rest isn't great though

With regards to the whole away day experience, then it's definitely far more fun.........most of the rest isn't great though

Acutely summed up

 

More 3 o clock Saturdays, better piss ups, more fun in a lot of ways

 

The football.............not so good

 

It's certainly made home games infinitely less enjoyable for me

It will be an even better away day in Division 1.

 

And from what I have personally seen and heard from others then it's not beyond the realms of possibility.

 

DF is making excuses before the bloody season has started.

Although there have been some dreadful home games, I reckon the ratio of good/bad games is better in the Championship.

Yesterday was the only pre season game I have watched this season and I must admit I was disappointed with the overall Bolton performance. I agree entirely with points made on this thread about the improved defending, lack of creativity in midfield and no service to Beckford but something has to change or we will be hovering in the bottom half of the table during the coming season. Its too soon to be overly negative but come on Dougie!! get a grip lad.