[Archived] Pre-season

[RevidgeBlue]

The LT report, from someone who presumably saw the game, adds a little more context to the equaliser:

"Michael Gray’s right wing corner dropped into the six yard box and Marcus Tudgay was on hand to volley home from close range"

Defenders and goalkeeper completely blameless then....

Come now EIT you know Ince signed Andrews therefore he is incapable of doing anything good ever...............

Tris actually beat me to it.

[begresko]

Just at work after the match, we had a very decent 20 minutes to start with. Dropped like a stone.

Diouf was useless and junior did more in the final few mins then than diouf all game. Warnock looked very poor on left wing and decent at left back, nothing to worry about with that one though. Our midfield was lacking in creativity and balls. Oh well. Nzoni looked more like a battering ram than a footballer, just winning headers everywhere for no reason. Respect though. could be handy.

Fingers crossed we pull our fingers out and sign the striker we desperatly need

[steelcityblue]

Not a game to get excited about. Rovers looked ponderous most of the time. Lack creativity generally

Robinson: Looks fit and slim and made some excellent saves, including a point blank one in the first half. Couldn't do anything about the goals. Looks like he's continuing his form of the end of last season.

Jacobson: solid and steady. Rarely got forward. Not the quickest.

Nelson: Caught out for their first goal..but by a peach of a pass. Combative as ever in contrast to some of his team-mates.

Samba: Not his most dominating but still a rock.

Givet: a better CB than left back though didn't do anything wrong. Didn't get forward at all.

Diouff: hard to make out, some good stuff, one wonderful turn. Appalling penalty (as at Man City). Should never take another. Benni wasn't on the pitch at the time..and JR I thought walked away, looked like he didn't want to take it.

Andrews; busy but just uninspiring. Didn't do a lot wrong, just not enough right to be either a creative force or a ball winner in midfield.

N'Zonzi: got better as the game went on. A bit hesitant occasionally, ready to make short passes to offload to team-mates to start with, took more responsibility gradually. Always combative though and an increasing presence in the second half till taken off for Judge (who just about came up to his waist band as the crossed on the touch line). A big lad. Is going to be good I think.

Warnock: looked lost on L side midfield, better at left back in second half. Not as influential as we need him to be.

Benni: completely anonymous.

Roberts: loads of effort as usual and a good goal and almost another from a similar angle..and one disallowed for offside. Looked lively which is more than can be said of Benni.

Subs.

Gally: some nice touches but not enough impact (heard that before?).

Pederson: one excellent free kick which grazed the angle of post and bar, otherwise more of what we've come to expect. Just not the player he was.

Hoillett: looked lively and nice pass that almost resulted in JR's second (the offside one).

Judge/Van Heerden/Zurab not on long enough to say..what the point was of bringing them on with 5mins to go I don't know.

Good number of Rovers fans but pretty quiet..not much to get excited about and the atmosphere in the ground pretty dead.

Overall: not brilliant but it was a pre season friendly. Better by all accounts than at Leeds so some hope for further improvement, but there'll need to be a lot more to be ready to take on Man City. Badly need new strikers and some creativity from mid field..is Dunny injured?..but we didn't need this game to tell us that.

[roversmum]

Eerie indeed. There were six of us in the disabled area, sitting below the Rovers fans - couldn't see them at all. Nearly lost my head from a shot at goal by Mr Pedersen - if you are reading this, Morten, you owe me - oh the trauma of the ball whizzing two inches past my left ear at 100 miles an hour. You'll find the net is a tad lower down, my dear...

SW were a pacy team and gave the lads a good work out. As afternnon drew on the light faded and the heavens opened and lads faded as well, eventually some one found 10p to put in the meter and the floodlights came on. Rovers were slow, kept losing the ball, too much stopping and thinking rather than getting stuck in and getting into spaces; think steelcityblue summed it up fairly well.

Sorry to disappoint but little sign of 'hoofball', Robbo even slid the ball to Warnock a few times rather than his usual high kick. Some good stuff on the right in the first half, thought Jacobsen and Diouffy linked up well.

As Diouffy went off he blew kisses to the SW fans who were booing him soundly!

[Parsonblue]

Come now EIT you know Ince signed Andrews therefore he is incapable of doing anything good ever...............

Tris actually beat me to it.

In fairness Rev, Andrews had an absolute shocker today. He couldn't make a pass and failed to get in a tackle for Sheffield's second goal. Our midfield looked very poor today. Warnock was like a fish out of water on the left and I suspect he will be moved to the centre of midfield. Indeed, only Diouff really offered much in the way of creativity and, despite his appalling penalty, he was the pick of the midfielders for me today.

I think the back four that started today's match will be the one that starts against City. Defensively, they look the best combination. Givet is a much better defender than Warnock but not as good going forward. Jacobson is steady but, again, seems better at defending than pressing forward but does seem to link well with Diouff. Both Nelsen and Samba will be certainties to start in the centre of defence. Robinson, was excellent today and saved us on a couple of occasions. I would be perfectly happy to see Jacobson, Samba, Nelsen and Givet as our first choice back four.

The real problems are in midfield and attack. We badly need reinforcements up front and we need to get Dunn, Reid, Emerton and Grella fit or bring some new players in to fill the gaps.

Despite the disappointing performance today, I still believe that we should be able to finish between 12th and 15th next season without too many problems.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Lack of creativity I'm hearing people say?....WELL I NEVER!

We still need a striker and a CREATIVE Midfielder....nothing has changed as of end of last season.

[Sir Ranulf Westwood]

We still need a striker and a CREATIVE Midfielder.

Shame what happpened to "the new gazza" and his injuries, I actually quite feared Dunn at one point.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Shame what happpened to "the new gazza" and his injuries, I actually quite feared Dunn at one point.

He's physically fcuked in my opinion.

[joey_big_nose]

How do people think we are currently shaping up to play? Idle speculation based on whose playing in pre season suggests to me that maybe we are looking like starting against City like this - 442.

------------Di Santo---Kalinic

---Pedersen-----Dunn--------Diouf

------------------N'Zonzi

Givet------Samba----Nelsen----Jackobsen

-------------------Robinson

Back five and Diouf look nailed starters at the moment. Everywhere else seems up for grabs, although N'Zonzi looks like he is going to get a start at the current rate which is a suprise. Unless we sign someone....

It's going to be interesting to see where Warnock, Emerton, Reid, Andrews and Grella fit in. Surely a couple of them are in line for a sale. Too many cooks in midfield at the moment.

[Amo]

I think N'Zonzi might have to be eased into PL football, instead of thrown into the deep end. If Grella isn't fit, then surely Warnock could do a job in front of the back four tidying up the scraps?

[Iceman]

Eerie indeed. There were six of us in the disabled area, sitting below the Rovers fans - couldn't see them at all. Nearly lost my head from a shot at goal by Mr Pedersen - if you are reading this, Morten, you owe me - oh the trauma of the ball whizzing two inches past my left ear at 100 miles an hour. You'll find the net is a tad lower down, my dear...

SW were a pacy team and gave the lads a good work out. As afternnon drew on the light faded and the heavens opened and lads faded as well, eventually some one found 10p to put in the meter and the floodlights came on. Rovers were slow, kept losing the ball, too much stopping and thinking rather than getting stuck in and getting into spaces; think steelcityblue summed it up fairly well.

Sorry to disappoint but little sign of 'hoofball', Robbo even slid the ball to Warnock a few times rather than his usual high kick. Some good stuff on the right in the first half, thought Jacobsen and Diouffy linked up well.

As Diouffy went off he blew kisses to the SW fans who were booing him soundly!

Hahaha classic our Dioufy.

[steelcityblue]

How do people think we are currently shaping up to play? Idle speculation based on whose playing in pre season suggests to me that maybe we are looking like starting against City like this - 442.

------------Di Santo---Kalinic

---Pedersen-----Dunn--------Diouf

------------------N'Zonzi

Givet------Samba----Nelsen----Jackobsen

-------------------Robinson

Back five and Diouf look nailed starters at the moment. Everywhere else seems up for grabs, although N'Zonzi looks like he is going to get a start at the current rate which is a suprise. Unless we sign someone....

It's going to be interesting to see where Warnock, Emerton, Reid, Andrews and Grella fit in. Surely a couple of them are in line for a sale. Too many cooks in midfield at the moment.

Ooops sorry trying to respond to jbn's post and obviously haven't got the hang of it..anyway was trying to say thet N'Zonzi isn't nearly the finished enough article to be our holding midfielder (yet)..and warnock is too good a player to leave on the bench..and if the best place for him is LB then so be it even if Givet is decent.

[American]

Shame what happpened to "the new gazza" and his injuries, I actually quite feared Dunn at one point.

You and the buffet table.

Agree that it's a shame what's happened. Keep waiting to see the player who was sold to Birmingham for 5.5 million.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

You and the buffet table.

Agree that it's a shame what's happened. Keep waiting to see the player who was sold to Birmingham for 5.5 million.

Unless we sign a decent midfield player - any chances of us having a half decent season probably rest with Dunn's injury ravaged body. He has shown - during his few injury free periods - he is a class apart in our midfield - providing the creativity we so often lack.

[joey_big_nose]

I think N'Zonzi might have to be eased into PL football, instead of thrown into the deep end. If Grella isn't fit, then surely Warnock could do a job in front of the back four tidying up the scraps?

I thought that, but he has been consistently used in the "first team". Maybe he would be displaced by Grella, but is Grella ever going to be fit?

Sam has had chances to use Warnock in the middle but hasn't so far.

[AggyBlue]

Good number of Rovers fans but pretty quiet..not much to get excited about and the atmosphere in the ground pretty dead.

Yep, it felt just like a pre season friendly

Givet did get skinned a few times, but they were, as has already been said, very pacey going forward.

Nzonzi didn't give the ball away as much today but still looks way off the required level.

Great goal from Jase and another good effort that seemed to whizz just past the post. My MoM by a long way.

Not many positives apart from the newcomers getting more match time.

Laugh of the match - 'Tango' man (remember him?) giving Robbo stick in the first half and then Robbo giving him some back

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

How do people think we are currently shaping up to play? Idle speculation based on whose playing in pre season suggests to me that maybe we are looking like starting against City like this - 442.

------------Di Santo---Kalinic

---Pedersen-----Dunn--------Diouf

------------------N'Zonzi

Givet------Samba----Nelsen----Jackobsen

-------------------Robinson

Back five and Diouf look nailed starters at the moment. Everywhere else seems up for grabs, although N'Zonzi looks like he is going to get a start at the current rate which is a suprise. Unless we sign someone....

It's going to be interesting to see where Warnock, Emerton, Reid, Andrews and Grella fit in. Surely a couple of them are in line for a sale. Too many cooks in midfield at the moment.

Personally this would be my ideal starting 11, injuries aside.

----------Di Santo----Kalinic

--Pedersen------Dunn-----Diouf

------------------Grella

Warnock---Nelsen---Samba---Emerton

-----------------Robbo

Givet/Reid/McCarthy/Hoilett/Nzonzi/Andrews/Van Heerden/Roberts on bench

I think thats strong all round. Depth wise its 10x better then where we were 3/4 months back. Hoilett/Van Heerden give us real options on the bench alongside a proven goalscorer in Benni and muscular presence in Roberts.

Dare I say it, but Iam looking forward to the season.

[Balwer]

Personally this would be my ideal starting 11, injuries aside.

----------Di Santo----Kalinic

--Pedersen------Dunn-----Diouf

------------------Grella

Warnock---Nelsen---Samba---Emerton

-----------------Robbo

Givet/Reid/McCarthy/Hoilett/Nzonzi/Andrews/Van Heerden/Roberts on bench

I think thats strong all round. Depth wise its 10x better then where we were 3/4 months back. Hoilett/Van Heerden give us real options on the bench alongside a proven goalscorer in Benni and muscular presence in Roberts.

Dare I say it, but Iam looking forward to the season.

Got to wonder about your bench when it has one defender and no goalkeepers.

Tactically you'd think Jacobsen and Bunn would replace Reid/Andrews and EVH/Hoilett

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Meant to say that those were the options for the bench. And I completely forgot about Jackobsen. The goalie was a given. If we ever do get Dunn/Reid/Grella all fit then Andrews wouldnt get on the bench.

[dazmaz]

but the huge problem we face is getting and keeping Dunn, Grella and Reid fit and keeping them that way. IMO a few of our players seem to suffer serious fatigue (or they just cant be assed once the clock hits 70/80 mins) though that might just be the effects of mince.

[Uddersfelt Blue]

Didn't go to the game as my lad is playing in the Yorkshire Cup junior footie tournament this weekend but interesting to learn that Sheff Wed were pacier than Rovers. That was my impression when I saw Leeds last week, who also seemed to get forward pretty fast.

I know that we are signing younger and potentially quicker players but some of our established seniors aren't exactly that quick, which is worrying.

BTW where was Dunny today? Injured or being saved for more important games?

[Amo]

I thought that, but he has been consistently used in the "first team". Maybe he would be displaced by Grella, but is Grella ever going to be fit?

Sam has had chances to use Warnock in the middle but hasn't so far.

He has to focus on getting N'Zoni up to speed, so he's ready when called upon. Sam already knows the job Warnock can do in midfield.

[Majiball]

curiously are there any highlights???

Thanks in advance.

[rover6]

At the moment, I think our reserve team would give our first teamers a very good game.

Gallagher, Hoilett, Doran, Judge, Marrow, Elrio, Jones, Gunning, Zurab, Olsson, Fielding

v

Roberts, McCarthy, Diouf, Nzonzi, Andrews, Gamst, Jacobson, Nelsen, Samba, Warnock, Robinson

Our reserve side actually has pace on the flanks. And if you were to include Dunn or Grella in the first team and give the reserves a specialist central midfielder, like Nzonzi, I wager that, despite the weaker defence, our reserves could beat our firsts.

The experienced players have to pull the finger out if they want to stay first teamers. That's not just based on pre-season but last season too.

[Balwer]

At the moment, I think our reserve team would give our first teamers a very good game.

Gallagher, Hoilett, Doran, Judge, Marrow, Elrio, Jones, Gunning, Zurab, Olsson, Fielding

v

Roberts, McCarthy, Diouf, Nzonzi, Andrews, Gamst, Jacobson, Nelsen, Samba, Warnock, Robinson

Our reserve side actually has pace on the flanks. And if you were to include Dunn or Grella in the first team and give the reserves a specialist central midfielder, like Nzonzi, I wager that, despite the weaker defence, our reserves could beat our firsts.

The experienced players have to pull the finger out if they want to stay first teamers. That's not just based on pre-season but last season too.

Good point rover6. We haven't had this strong a reserves team in ages. When was the last time we had a friendly between the two sides, if ever? I think it would be highly beneficial as a warm-up exercise.