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Pre-season friendlies

Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 9:57 am
by Kernow Yellow
So finding myself in Oxford this weekend I popped along to Court Place Farm for the first friendly of pre-season. I was a bit disappointed, frankly, to see neither our new manager nor our new striker in action. Oh well.

It's hard to learn anything from these games, but the standout performer was definitely Marvin Johnson, who combined nicely with Canice Carroll down the left to create several chances and the third goal in the second half. The two young right-backs both looked a bit dodgy. Josh Smile, the local triallist from Fulham, looked to have a bit about him and made intelligent runs as an attacking midfielder. Hemmings was probably the sharpest of the strikers, and James Roberts had a frustrating afternoon. Ribeiro didn't convince as a wide midfielder. The Nelson/Kelleher partnership needs working on - Nelson played on the left side of the two. Raglan seemed a little steadier at the back.

These new 3G surfaces are all very well for training games, but I wouldn't want to watch football on them every week. Nice for City to get a decent crowd to open their new facilities though.

Re: Pre-season friendlies

Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 11:50 am
by Mooro
Kernow Yellow wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2017 9:57 am
It's hard to learn anything from these games, but the standout performer was definitely Marvin Johnson, who combined nicely with Canice Carroll down the left to create several chances and the third goal in the second half. The two young right-backs both looked a bit dodgy. Josh Smile, the local triallist from Fulham, looked to have a bit about him and made intelligent runs as an attacking midfielder. Hemmings was probably the sharpest of the strikers, and James Roberts had a frustrating afternoon. Ribeiro didn't convince as a wide midfielder. The Nelson/Kelleher partnership needs working on - Nelson played on the left side of the two. Raglan seemed a little steadier at the back.
Frustrating as in i) almost there and with a couple more pre-season games to gain sharpness should be right there ready to make a strong contribution in the season ahead or ii) just not quite reaching the point we all hoped/thought he would do when he burst onto the scene two years ago and shuffling backwards out of the last chance saloon?

No prizes for guessing which answer I'm hoping to hear

Re: Pre-season friendlies

Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 12:57 pm
by SWA
Pep was there KY. He elected to watch the match from the seats in an advisory capacity. Strange that Obika was there but not involved though, I agree.

Re: Pre-season friendlies

Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 1:38 pm
by Kernow Yellow
Frustrating as in hardly touched the ball (Roberts). Tried hard enough but nothing fell for him. He squandered the one promising position he had and generally looked out of sorts. Let's face it, even City didn't want him last season so anyone who thinks he might be on the verge of breaking through with Us is surely indulging in wishful thinking.

Pep was there, but it would have been nice to see him at least have a wander on to the pitch at the end and shake the players' hands. I know it was an 'away' game so you could hardly expect a big 'unveiling' but the crowd was pretty much all Us fans who wanted to see the start of his new regime.

I didn't see Eales either come to think of it. Has he gone out to Portugal?

Re: Pre-season friendlies

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:16 am
by OUFC4eva
Image

What is the black stuff ?

Re: Pre-season friendlies

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 10:57 am
by Radley Rambler
OUFC4eva wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:16 am Image

What is the black stuff ?
Rubber pellets

Re: Pre-season friendlies

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 3:54 pm
by Kernow Yellow
Strong words from Danny Cowley about Us pulling out of the friendly at Lincoln. Maybe he's upset because he didn't get our manager's job :P