[Archived] Pre-season

[modes98]

It was a friendly JBN.

Hang on. You state the opposition should be taken into account, then shoot him down when he brings up a valid point. Roma are a good team Den, which makes our style of football even more encouraging.

[novella]

Saturday

45 min each match Against Hajduk Split and C Maritimo from Portugal.

Thanks.

[Hughesy]

The standard of the opposition can't be overlooked though.

It was a friendly JBN.

It was a friendly that was played at an aggresive level and not the normal slow, boring style of pre-season friendly we are used to. Against a team that got to the knock out stages of the Champs league, ahead of Chelsea.

As for the standard of opposition:

ROMA (4-4-2): Artur; Cassetti, Mexes, Riise, Antunes: Taddei, Pizarro, Brighi, Guberti; Totti, Okaka

[den]

Hang on. You state the opposition should be taken into account, then shoot him down when he brings up a valid point. Roma are a good team Den, which makes our style of football even more encouraging.

I haven't shot him down, there was nothing to play for Modes. You can't say we were playing a flat out, fully functioning serie A side, simply because the result didn't matter in the least. It would be daft to think otherwise, wouldn't it. - That's taking nothing away from our performance, but let's keep these friendly games in perspective.

Don't forget the number of substitutions in the game as well.

[DeadlyDirk]

It was a friendly that was played at an aggresive level and not the normal slow, boring style of pre-season friendly we are used to. Against a team that got to the knock out stages of the Champs league, ahead of Chelsea.

As for the standard of opposition:

ROMA (4-4-2): Artur; Cassetti, Mexes, Riise, Antunes: Taddei, Pizarro, Brighi, Guberti; Totti, Okaka

Agreed that it was a very competitive friendly with lots of slide tackles etc going in from both sides, a few bookings scattered around, not your usual kick about friendly.

The Roma team was more or less first choice as well which you point out.

An interesting note is I can't recall us playing more than a couple of long balls forward all game, it shows that we can play some football still.

[Amo]

Is it just me or is Jason Brown going crazy just before Riise scores his free kick? Sounds like he screams 'f*** sake Vinny'!

Also, during Roma's third penalty -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTlp1NCk94s @ 3:04

It sounds like he's saying #

[den]

It was a friendly that was played at an aggresive level and not the normal slow, boring style of pre-season friendly we are used to. Against a team that got to the knock out stages of the Champs league, ahead of Chelsea.

As for the standard of opposition:

ROMA (4-4-2): Artur; Cassetti, Mexes, Riise, Antunes: Taddei, Pizarro, Brighi, Guberti; Totti, Okaka

What were the Roma substitutions Hughesy?

[Hughesy]

I still think Brown was at fault for both of there goals. 2nd one he was unable to get a good view, but the 1st he should of saved.

Personally I think Brown is too small to make it as a top level keeper.

What were the Roma substitutions Hughesy?

Not sure mate - but our 2nd team was much weaker too. Either way it was a very good workout. It was good to watch our boys again too.

Got to go to Leeds away now. Despite N'Zonzi losing the ball a couple of times, against a very good standard, I have very high hopes for him. He also showed a very good 'edge' to him too which I like in a midfielder.

[Presty On Tour]

I thought Jason Brown was being sold.

If Robbo isn't playing we should give Bunn some playing time imo.

Brown looked useless last night!

[Barmy Armchair]

This all sounds very encouraging - not much long ball, played on the floor, youthful energy evident in some of the new boys, and in-yer-face to boot. That's a lot different to last season.

Telegraph says Keith Andrews was "Rovers star player" in the first 45 Anyone who saw the game care to comment?

[John]

let's keep these friendly games in perspective.

Completely agree. Some folk get far too carried away with pre-season, it is simply a case of getting the players fit.

As for keeping the ball on the ground, style of football comments, don't read much into it. Plus most team give their younger players a run out in pre-season.

[philipl]

In the official site match report, Keith Andrews got two mentions.

One for a shot he hit over the bar from 30 yards, and

One for a 25 yard howitzer that the keeper did very well to tip over.

Andrews did nothing wrong last night but he was on at the time Roma had the first team playing and looked technically the better outfit in midfield against the mixed team Rovers fielded.

Anyway, there will be no minute by minute or SMS service from Split- Lee Grooby has told the official board he has a dead laptop.

[sambo]

Brown on their free kick

And afterwards, you can hear him loudly screaming "**** me!"

On penalties as well, when they score their third, he says:

"Oh you # #"

"# #"

"# me"!

Calm down Brown, just a friendly!

[Balwer]

This all sounds very encouraging - not much long ball, played on the floor, youthful energy evident in some of the new boys, and in-yer-face to boot. That's a lot different to last season.

Telegraph says Keith Andrews was "Rovers star player" in the first 45 Anyone who saw the game care to comment?

Andrews was good but I felt Diouf was better. Andrews probably second best of our first halfers, made some good passes.

[Hughesy]

LET

"Italian triallist Christian Vieri was expected to meet up with the squad today but is unlikely to feature in tonight’s game due to lack of fitness."

[rovers1995]

Once again, we can't find out the scores or performances of todays games, because there is no minute by minute on the official site and no SMS messages.

[saviola]

Once again, we can't find out the scores or performances of todays games, because there is no minute by minute on the official site and no SMS messages.

completley agree, if the club can't follow its pre season games when it should do then

[andyman]

i know its a bit late but regards the f**cks sake 'vinny', could he have been shouting f*cks sake vany as in van heerden?

[joey_big_nose]

i know its a bit late but regards the f**cks sake 'vinny', could he have been shouting f*cks sake vany as in van heerden?

VH didn't play.

[RoverRich]

i know its a bit late but regards the f**cks sake 'vinny', could he have been shouting f*cks sake vany as in van heerden?

Why would he shout that seeing as he didn't play? Vinny would refer to Vincenzo Grella I assume who did play and who was in the wall that Brown was screaming at.

[dazmaz]

I still think Brown was at fault for both of there goals. 2nd one he was unable to get a good view, but the 1st he should of saved.

Personally I think Brown is too small to make it as a top level keeper.

agree on that one, how tall is he? 5ft 9"? that being said he went the right way for all the penaltys in the youtube vid.. (anyone notice the roma keeper go the same way every time?) both goals he could have and should of saved. the first goal he was out of position, and the 2nd he didnt even try, he could see it coming (look at the behid the goal replay)

[Tom]

I think we're being harsh on Brown, the first goal was a rocket and the second took a big deflection it looked like. He also made a world class save between the 2 goals.

[dazmaz]

I think we're being harsh on Brown, the first goal was a rocket and the second took a big deflection it looked like. He also made a world class save between the 2 goals.

the question is would you say the same if it was robbo playing, or even friedel?

[frosty]

The Roma team was more or less first choice as well which you point out.

They were missing Vucinic, De Rossi, Baptista, Cicinho, Juan, Panucci and Perrotta

Not taking anything away from Rovers though as they still put out a strong side.

[rovers1995]

Rovers fans won't know the scores of tonights games until they have finished, but on Manchester City's official site they are streaming live their pre season game against orlando pirates. Which they are losing 1-0