Friendly - Barrow v Rochdale

[Hitthebar22]

Can only really go with what you see, irrespective of all the rhetoric about this that and the other.
We were poor today in very important areas.
The defensive shape was adequate, and Raglan looks good.
In midfield and up front in an attacking sense we were hugely disappointing. Nothing creative, no chances, no forward intensity, no initiative, no speed of thought or movement.
I know it was only a friendly, but on this showing we are destined for lower to mid table mediocrity at best. The worst doesn’t bear thinking about.
I so hope I’m wrong.
Yes I know it was only a friendly

[LCBAFC40]

Always difficult to gauge form in pre season. Didn't we lose every pre season game the year we won the league ? I'm just wondering what our best 11 is and the formation. Todays starting 11 had 6 new players so it may take time to get used to each other. Chesterfield away next week will be a tough test

[Jonty]

The comments from today’s game remind me why I never attend friendlies. They are all about getting 90 minutes in the legs. Players never play with the intensity they do in league games and managers try things in friendlies that they wouldn’t try in a normal league game. Judge us after ten games is what I say.

Yes it is only a friendly, but he’s not coming out of it saying we look sharp, we look ready, he's coming out of it with more questions about his team and talking about being sluggish, sloppy with the ball. Not expecting us to pull up trees but it’s crucial we start well. Points are at stake now.
I don't know where the goals are coming from and that remains the concern.

[blue nige]

Didn't go today, I've said it all along if you play 3 at the back you have to play with an intensity and the midfield and forwards have to be mobile or else you struggle to break teams down etc!

[_bluebird_]

I don't want to be negative but today was a very poor performance. Looked like the first game of pre season not the last. I trust whing to get things right I fully believe he's our best ticket to success but he can't be happy with today. Thought the midfield looked absolutely terrible but I can only hope its because they have one eye on the season ahead. Look forward to being on the chesterfield bus next week and can't wait to get going again

[Rushy]

Still time for a couple of influential loan players to come on board when the bigger clubs settle on thier final squads.
Have faith.

[blumooncrab]

Still time for a couple of influential loan players to come on board when the bigger clubs settle on thier final squads.
Have faith.

Hope you are right. The loans in January saved us. I get the feeling that the recruitment isn’t finished but it’s proving difficult to get what we need - impact and pace up front - pace and decent cover at the back. Just like last season. The midfield looks good but will take time to gel - the wing backs need strengthening- Michael Adu Poku getting injured has not helped.

[JayBee]

The back 3 constantly lost their shape except for Canavan he was left alone too many times, worried about the season now.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

The back 3 constantly lost their shape except for Canavan he was left alone too many times, worried about the season now.

We have only conceded two goals in all our friendlies and that was against Bolton and Huddersfield both teams playing at a higher level than us. From all media reports radio and written it appears our defensive shape and limiting teams to few chances has been excellent in pre season. A good foundation to build on imo

[Scott5]

I’d expect a fairly solid if unspectacular team this season. Defensively we should be ok especially once Williams is back, interesting to see which of the keepers will be preferred I’d say perhaps winter bottom. Midfield is big and strong and plenty of options but like many I do wonder where the goals will come from. Cameron is a newbie to this level, Walker hasn’t played a lot of football and needs to stay fit, Hemmings will offer something different but I don’t see a lot of creativity either. Mahoney isn’t as good as Whitfield for me who we will miss again and we still haven’t sorted out the right wing back area.

I also would expect another couple possibly on loan before the end of august.

[Suffolk Blue]

The back 3 constantly lost their shape except for Canavan he was left alone too many times, worried about the season now.

We have only conceded two goals in all our friendlies and that was against Bolton and Huddersfield both teams playing at a higher level than us. From all media reports radio and written it appears our defensive shape and limiting teams to few chances has been excellent in pre season. A good foundation to build on imo

Ironically I think it’s true that we’ve not conceded so far in the first half of any of the games we’ve played. I doubt that is going to stand for much longer though.

[JayBee]

We have only conceded two goals in all our friendlies and that was against Bolton and Huddersfield both teams playing at a higher level than us. From all media reports radio and written it appears our defensive shape and limiting teams to few chances has been excellent in pre season. A good foundation to build on imo

Ironically I think it’s true that we’ve not conceded so far in the first half of any of the games we’ve played. I doubt that is going to stand for much longer though.

The only reason we did not concede today was Rochdale's abysmal finishing.

[MisterPleasant]

I don't think in his interview Andy Whing was as glum as some make out. He acknowledged responsibility that yesterday's first half was down to him and the shape of the team he sent out. Tellingly, I thought, was his comment that we still have a small squad and he wanted to get through pre-season without injury which, Adu-Poku apart, was achieved (Williams was already carrying his injury). He admits that Newby and Jackson now need some competition and finding a wide player was high on the list of things-to-do.

[Bigfathoss]

I don't want to be negative but today was a very poor performance. Looked like the first game of pre season not the last...

I made the comment from the terrace - it looks like we are playing like it's the HOB match. It was dreadful to watch. The sole, and I mean ONLY, good thing to take from it was the excellent penalty scored (even though it was an incredibly dubious award).

[_bluebird_]

I don't want to be negative but today was a very poor performance. Looked like the first game of pre season not the last...

I made the comment from the terrace - it looks like we are playing like it's the HOB match. It was dreadful to watch. The sole, and I mean ONLY, good thing to take from it was the excellent penalty scored (even though it was an incredibly dubious award).

Yeah hard picking out anything to positive really like you say. I thought they all looked shattered as much as anything, Scott smith in particular was guilty of so many niggly fouls just by being a yard off it. Sure all will be fine by 5pm saturday