[Archived] Preview (Not) Asia Trophy

[brian_gallagher85]

Crikey. Were we THAT bad ? I thought we had most of the chances, but struggled to create once behind again.

Could have been the beer goggles mind.

P.s did anybody see the brfcs or great harwood flags ?

No we were not although certain players were pretty poor, namely Pedersen, although I can understand it if his mind is elsewhere for a few days.

I agree that we need at least one in up front and some organisation at the back but that can come with another few run outs hopefully.

I think the main problem for a few posters on here is that the sky doesn't appear to be falling just as quickly as was predicted.

[Tooogs]

Formica looks a real player. He has a cracking first touch and can link up really well. He likes to float around in that hole behind the striker which is something we have severelylacked of late.

[Fife Rover]

Correct. You could see that meant much more than just getting fit.

Really ? You must have been sitting in a different seat than I was.

[bennyboyt11]

Anyone see that pass from Formica that Emerton (IIRC) just nearly got to, but was a little too slow? Was sublime, exactly the sort of passes we have been missing last season. Perhaps Rochina would be the man to get on the end of those passes?

[Speedie Dived]

Formica indeed had some nice touches today, always wanting the ball. If we can get some good players around him then he could be a player. Only Dunny really seemed to be on a similar wavelength.

MGP is never going to cut it as a left winger, similar to Emerton as winger, both rigid and play in the lines, never in between and are always too deep. Final note, is someone telling MGP to continue with those god awful clipped corners to the front stick?

[Tim Southampton Rover]

The game was a tough one, lots of fiery tackles, the heat/humidity looked unbearable and a few players picked up knocks.

Formica was obviously our stand out player. I think Robbo played well but felt he could have done better with the goal, along with our defence, but apart from that one moment, he pulled off a couple of decent saves.

The biggest worry for us is still the need to find a goalscorer and I really hope the owners got the same message we all got today. I can't remember Roberts having a chance, but I felt he played well on his own up front, with Formica dropping deep, but he is clearly not the player we need to get us goals. There is no point having a striker if he's going to be running wide, picking up the ball and laying it off for our wingers to cross......because there won't be anyone in there to get the goal.

With Olsson, Formica and Hoilett behind a goalscoring striker, then we've got a great attacking line up. Unfortunately, until we get that goalscorer, we're going to be making games a lot more difficult than they should be.

[DE.]

I thought we looked alright. It was always going to be difficult playing in that kind of heat, I thought all the players on the pitch did well to make the match as competetive as it was.

Thought Formica looked very good - some top quality passes, put in two or three very good crosses from the right as well. He and Rochina could have quite a big impact on us this season. Samba was imperious as usual... Robbo with a very good save. N'Zonzi got involved and looked solid.

Blackman looked decent running at people, but had no shot on him whatsoever. Our real lack of firepower up front was most worrying, I didn't enjoy watching MGP's non-threating floating corners going in one after the other either.

It was nice to see Rovers on the tele again, anyway. Looking forward to the season starting, hopefully with three or four decent additions.

[Hekla]

Formica was excellent, he looks stronger in build than he did at his first arrival - this guy will be a big player this season, it's nice to see him involved. We have been crying out for this type of attacking midfield player. I hope Petrovic has a big impact then the midfield suddenly looks better again. A striker is badly needed but this can happen very soon I guess.

Does anybody else think that Formica has a similar running style to Kaka? He also looks similar from a tv view.

[AggyBlue]

Really ? You must have been sitting in a different seat than I was.

You defo wasn't on my couch

[Martin]

I think we have reason to be optimistic.

Formica looks the business.

Roberts played well in the lone role.

Dunn looked fit.

Emerton looked energetic.

Blackman was keen if a little rash.

Onwards and upwards.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

.....and Grella didn't come off injured

[Mercer]

About a dozen of us watched the first half in the local golf club and ten of us were distinctly underwhelmed - the other two were Dingles and they thought we were even worse than they are pre season !!!

TV got turned-off at half time - honestly, we thought it was poor stuff.

Watched the recorded second half at home tonight.

Early days and, hopefully, signings to be added but already looks like it could be a long season.

Many are raving about Formica. Showed good touches but not involved enough. Where will he play - looks like an 'in the hole' player only and I'm not sure that we will be set-up like that.

Goalless and toothless again. Rumoured that the French lad (striker) who got injured last season is back on the list of 'striking possibles'.

[Tom]

About a dozen of us watched the first half in the local golf club and ten of us were distinctly underwhelmed - the other two were Dingles and they thought we were even worse than they are pre season !!!

TV got turned-off at half time - honestly, we thought it was poor stuff.

Watched the recorded second half at home tonight.

Early days and, hopefully, signings to be added but already looks like it could be a long season.

Many are raving about Formica. Showed good touches but not involved enough. Where will he play - looks like an 'in the hole' player only and I'm not sure that we will be set-up like that.

Goalless and toothless again. Rumoured that the French lad (striker) who got injured last season is back on the list of 'striking possibles'.

I don't think a single person here will be surprised at that

[Dave S]

Rumoured that the French lad (striker) who got injured last season is back on the list of 'striking possibles'.

Who is the French lad?

[roverandout]

having watched the game, i thought we were dire, hardly created anything, roberts does his best for what he is a workhorse, offers no goalthreat whatsoever. We passed the ball well at TIMES but on others gave it away to cheeply. What is kean doing with his substitutions? waits till the last 15 mins to make two. One player couldnt keep his feet and runs around like a headless chicken, the other probably wont be around for much longer. Why not bring rochina on when we are crying out for some creativity up front. We have no goalthreat at all, noone supporting the strikers quick enough. Formica looks a good player but pedersen and emerton couldnt deliver a decent ball all game. Not impressed at all and if this isnt proof that we need at least 4 or 5 QUALITY players then i dont know what is.

[Tom]

Who is the French lad?

Pentecote I preume

[joey_big_nose]

Sad to see we lost. Nice to hear Formica played well. Seems to me like the team is slowly coming together.... maybe:-

----------------------?????? (find out in the next couple of days?)

------Hoilett-------Rochina-------Formica

--------------Nzonzi--------Petrovic

Olsson----Nelsen-----Samba-----Salgado

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

Hum. I guess one of our problems is we might end up with quite a few players who prefer to play 'in the hole' - Hoilett, Dunn, Formica, Rochina - but we are only really going to be able to stick one in there....

[Andy]

I was also impressed with Formica, though I did only catch the 2nd half.

Major disappointment for me was Blackman - he looked awful. Poor touch, poor technique and dreadful distribution & end product.

Topped it all with a booking for a blatant dive at the end.

Emerton looked good and it was good to see Grella playing again.

Roberts did ok but we need somebody who can put the ball in the net.

[LeChuck]

Sad to see we lost. Nice to hear Formica played well. Seems to me like the team is slowly coming together.... maybe:-

----------------------?????? (find out in the next couple of days?)

------Hoilett-------Rochina-------Formica

--------------Nzonzi--------Petrovic

Olsson----Nelsen-----Samba-----Salgado

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

Hum. I guess one of our problems is we might end up with quite a few players who prefer to play 'in the hole' - Hoilett, Dunn, Formica, Rochina - but we are only really going to be able to stick one in there....

I'd swap Givet for Nelsen and shuffle the attacking three to Rochina - Formica - Hoilett, but otherwise it looks a good team.

What it's crying out for is a physical focal point in attack. That attacking three is very lightweight, we need some muscle up there.

[patrickvalery]

I'd swap Givet for Nelsen and shuffle the attacking three to Rochina - Formica - Hoilett, but otherwise it looks a good team.

What it's crying out for is a physical focal point in attack. That attacking three is very lightweight, we need some muscle up there.

We definately need someone to retain the ball better up front. Roberts will do it to a point, but he often chooses the wrong outlet or ends up fighting his way into areas of the pitch where its hard to get a shot off, let alone score.

In an ideal world it needs to be someone with a big presence who has got a bit of guile. Able to make the sort of movement Bent undid us with today. The trouble is, 1'd say that 90% of sides are looking for the same thing. Most end up with a lump who is good at knock downs and not a lot else.

I wasn't really disappointed with todays performance. Formica had a good game, but sadly he often didn't get the ball quickly enough. It always seems to me that certain players will never be able to adapt to a less direct style of play. I think that if the team gets used to the likes of Formica picking up space in areas between the oppositions midfield and defence, we'll look a better unit. He looks as if he can cause some damage in these areas. But it would worry me playing Formica, Hoilett and Rochina just off a striker. I'm not sure that would leave enough room for any of them to find these little pockets of space.

[Hughesy]

What time we play on Saturday?

[scunnyrover]

What time we play on Saturday?

11gmt I think

[Teacup]

What time we play on Saturday?

11:00 again.

[OhmiBRFC]

Could you hear the Rovers fans on the TV? Just curious. Would be surprised if you could. The game was pretty dire - but pre-season friendlies are. Could day out. Hong Kong is brilliant.

[AggyBlue]

Could you hear the Rovers fans on the TV? Just curious. Would be surprised if you could.

No. Buy a megaphone