[Archived] Preview (Not) Asia Trophy

[3rdpillar]

outch!

[Lurid Coat]

Dunn landing awkwardly after a hard tackle - seems to have hurt his neck?

[3rdpillar]

any card for warnock, in the prem that would be RED!

not being played like a friendly is it!

[Exiled_Rover]

Wow that kit is even worse than I thought.

Formica looks lively though, which is nice. Still need a left back (so Olsson can play LW) at least one CM and a striker though.

[dubdubdub]

Sounds decent so far. Wish I was watching rather than working. Got to think we've got Rochina and Hoilett missing from this lineup...hopefully a couple of first team additions that will displace Roberts, Dunn and Peds to at least the bench. We'd have good squad players there. What sort of formation are we playing? Formica in the hole?

[Tom]

The pitch nearly claims its first casualty, Bent slips and takes Givet out.

Enjoying the game myself.

[3rdpillar]

mainly chelski shirts in the crowd

[Mc Love]

Is it really hot there or is it raining

[Tom]

Dunny trying stupid 'Rabona' passes again

[AggyBlue]

The amount of locals in Chelsea shirts is telling

There's a lot more locals in Rovers shirts than I imagined. I haven't seen any locals in Villa shirts.

[chris]

been watching 5 minutes and all I have seen is peopel on the floor

Kit looks great with the red in it, good job someone who designed it.

[Blue n White Rover]

Is it really hot there or is it raining

Really hot!!

[heysham rover]

Gato nearly pulled of an amazing turn then

[Brad]

The pitch is a big let down sadly, very impressed with Formica.. Looks strong and stays on his feet.. Not like someone we know..

[kokkini]

Formica is looking very promissing. Looking forward to see how he might link up with a striker who hangs of the shoulder of a defender, maybe that will be Rochina. I was talking to a Barca fan in Spain last week and he rated Rochina very highly. Would like to see Hanley on for Dunn in 2nd half, push Givet to LB, MGP inside and Olsson to LW

[Tom]

Formica is an enigma though, one minute has the first touch of Cantona, the next of Blake.

I like him though.

[michaelthomas]

Really like the look of Formica - few really lovely touches, he's played some great balls and just looks lively all the time. Hopefully he pushes on and can replace Dunn completely, as he was buggered last season, no way can we rely on him for this season too.

Hopefully Hoilett & Rochina can come on and inject some urgency into the attack, Pedersen/Emerton/Roberts aren't doing the best.

[Tom]

Oh no I've just thought, if it's a draw will there be penalties?

I hate penalties even if it is a friendly

[3rdpillar]

Formica the new kaka

[Mc Love]

Really hot!!

Shirts are absolutely drenched. Koko showing his gut in the training gear,

[3rdpillar]

steve keans is a plumper

[vintageadidas]

Decent game and i really believe this cup will help with our season.

Every Rovers' player is playing pretty well for the first real game of pre season.

Formica looks very good one minute then awful the next - but the pitch could be playing part in the latter.

We look pretty well organised and very committed.

Villa look well drilled, solid at the back and decent upfront.

AND.....Kean looks like he had a decent summer - HEY FATTY BUM BUM!!!

[Tom]

Sky Sports picking up on Formica, good to see he doesn't just look decent with blinkers on

[tonyoz]

Roberts holding the ball up very well.

Rovers' defence looking in need of some good organisation.

Well, well, we agree at last!

[heysham rover]

I think villa look awful personally, I think we are moving it about well and looking to keep the ball on the deck. Its glaringly obvious Roberts isnt the right outlet for that type of football and Emerton whilst honest and hardworking is no right winger (which we know already), not a bad showing though and encouraging so far.