Bolton V Real Betis

Another defeat,in many ways it means a lot,but in some ways means little.
What we need is stability in our defence and maybe it aint gonna happen soon.Most teams are probably not match fit yet,but maybe have an understanding from last season especially in defensive areas.As we all know good results enhance confidence,so lets hope we get off to a flyer this season.
As for formations,Im a big believer in winning the battle early doors in the middle,although I accept a formation only becomes important when you don't have the ball.
I cant pick our team for Burnley and that worries me really.

There were players that started today that shouldn't on Saturday.

It has to be:

Bogdan
Baptsite
Knight
Wheater
Tierney
Eagles
Medo
Chungy
A.n. other midfielder. (It will be Pratley but vela, gregus or Holden has to be above him)
Ngog
Beckford

Just got back in.

Good points: erm the new road surface at the beehive roundabout is smoooooooth as silk now!!

Hall looked lively to begin with as did the young lad Odelusi when he came on for a brief cameo.

Bad Points: Andrews brought the midfield down. Came deep to collect when he didn't need to then kept losing possession whilst still in a deep role.

The refereeing was abysmal. Blew for fouls for the bare minimal contact - to be fair though we got some of those decisions as well.

All in all a bit of a stilted performance with a pretty stilted atmosphere - though that's really pre-season in a nutshell.

side note anyone in the West Lower notice a couple of the "odd squad" sitting in the middle of the stairs. Had 3 teeth between them and had a "who me?" attitude when the steward politely moved them back to their actual seats.

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It was one up top tonight. Sordell looked lost in that formation.

Looks to me like freedman needs to sell before he can buy but by the looks of it we have no saleable assets at all thanks to the dealings of the previous management. All it looks like he can do is shift one or two of the overpaid squad players out on loan,probably paying a chunk of their wages too. I think freedman is going to have to turn water into wine here.

Their number 10 was Verdu - a player I like a lot, could play for a regular top 6/8 team in any league in Europe.

Anyways, seemed to sum up our pre season that - glimpses of decency going forward but ultimately poor at the back and some of our players were just chasing shadows, I wanted Beckford to come on a lot earlier than he actually did

I'm guessing next week will be
-----------------Bogdan
Baptiste Wheater Knight Tierney
Lee Medo Eagles Pratley/Holden Hall
------------------Sordell or Beckford

Not too concerned at the moment, ~I'll start panicking if we lose our first few games.

On a non-football note I don't mind the new tannoy bloke, although there was nothing wrong with Colin. I'd sak him to turn the volume down though as I'll be deaf come the end of the season at this rate. And no 'Seven Nation Army' remixes please. I love the original but it's becoming the new Sloop John B, in that every club either uses it or has a song to that tune

My team
Bogdan
Baptists,wheater,ream,Tierney.
Holden,medo,pratley
Eagles,Beckford,Lee.

Would have hall and vela in if Lee and holden not fit to start.

highlights for those interested https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B6_NK8auVAc

sign a centre back dougie, for god's sake

Benny - I am glad I didn't respond to your comment about the previous management last night while full of red wine It could have got messy on here

I actually only have one frustration with DF. His continuing insistence of playing one up front particularly at home.

Our good run last season coincided with him picking two strikers. Every time he went back to one, we either drew or lost. The Championship is a two striker league. We need less of the conservative tactics.