Wondered if any 606's were at the game last night and if so what you thought of the game.
A friendly of course v Norwich - so don’t read a lot into it - anyway here are my thoughts:
No new boys in the starting 11 - though a somewhat different line up with Smith and Bowditch up front. Defence went centre backs Doumbe and McKenzie, full backs Chicksen and Deano.
First half Norwich were the better side with some good chances either squandered or well saved by Martin.
Second half switched around with Chickesen coming off and Williams dropping into a defensive role - then Lowe, McDonald and Iberhe all going up front. (Smith and Bowditch coming off) We looked much more lively and had some decent chances - Lowe looks like he could be a handful for teams. Powell came on as well (cant remember who else came off)
Again smart keeping by Martin kept us on even terms just before the end.
Before the change in defence, we looked a little wobbly. McKenzie did not seem to know where his positioning was relative to others around him and made errors that could have been costly.
Bowditch and Smith did not create that much and we looked much sharper after the break.
Very hard to make any conclusions from this - so I will anyway - we really do need another centre back, McKenzie looked a little out of it, and I hope Otsemobor fits in, cause Chico is have to play on his weaker foot.
Doumbe looked sharp - which is great news. Same issue up front, especially in first half - our inability to create chances that we have a go at putting away. Second half much less of an issue, apart from the scoring bit Bowditch did not impress that much - a lot of tip toeing around, but no end product.
This was not Norwich's starting team, but a good set of players and we were pretty much on even terms. So pretty much taking up from where we left off.
Some comments about the ground: Er now where near finished is the building work - so car park is all over the place with temporary fencing all around, also the gates at the corner of the east stand and the Cowshed are closed off. This will be a right pain, cause unless I am missing something - I don’t see any of this being ready until October at the earliest.
On the positive side, the pitch looked a lot better (though not as good as when the original pitch was laid) - but lets see how it holds up to regular games, and more worryingly Club Rugby games
If anyone was at the game and had thoughts, would appreciate them
COYD
Anyone else see the game last night?
posted on 4/8/12
Yes I was there. I thought it was a good workout and despite Grant Holt missing, it was a strong Norwich team with skillful players.
I wonder if Robbo will continue with his idea of using Gleeson, Potter and Williams. I'm not a fan of building a team around one player and was surprised about the comments by Robbo on trying to accommodate Willams in midfield. I think Williams has still a lot to learn and I would stick with Potter and Gleeson in midfield, with Williams at centre back. He might not like it, but it's better than being on the bench.
I thought Chico did struggle against Simeon Jackson and tried to make too many killer balls. Powell seems to have continued from last season and while Chadders may be the better technical player he just can't hit the back of the net.
Bowditch did OK while O'Shea was an able deputy. I still can't make up my mind about Smith. He is physical and athletic but I keep expecting more quality from him.
Lowe did well for his cameo. Jabo and MacDonald will have to fight hard to displace him. Martin proved himself as a top keeper once again and it was good not to concede.
Roll on Fulham.
posted on 4/8/12
I'm shocked about your opinion on MacKenzie, I thought overall he deserved his man of the match award and he looked sharp, more alert and more faster! Wasn't as sloppy as he's looked in the past!
Doumbe looked dodgey at times, but nothing too costly and nothing I'm worried about, pre season and whatnot.. The sliced clearence though was poor, and there were one or two times he could have left a ball for Martin to collect.
We gave them too much on the wings, Chicksen looked nervous and a bit out of it and gave Simeon Jackson far too much time and space, never went in for a tackle. Lewington looks slow and not too keen to go in for any challenges (Again, understandably not wanting to collect an injury).
Williams was okay, but I agree with Furzy, for now I think he's suited for a defensive role as I think a midfield role is a bit too early, the midfield duo of Gleeson and Potter doesn't need patching up, so why meddle with it? Williams was effective in 2 or 3 positions las tyear so I dunno why that needs to change either!
As much as Lowe put in a good shift I can't really sum up his performance, had energy but didn't do much. Should have got a penalty though.
MacDonald again spirited and full of tireless running, Jabo looked like Jabo. Holding up play but again was slow to the pace of some of the attacks and couldn't find a few passes he should have.
Chadwick was great again, but I dunno why he can't score goals or finish, or even put a shot on target when he's so technically gifted!
Powell looked similar to a lot of last season, and got his ball stuck under his feet a few times.
Bowditch, Smith and Gleeson weren't so impressive yesterday either but I'll reiterate, pre season so not worried!
Special shout to David Martin who looked comfortable, didn't look nervous like he sometimes does and made 2 or 3 good saves, about time he got some credit he deserves!
posted on 4/8/12
PS, regarding the ground, can't really complain, it's a work in progress it isn't going to be ready! If people are truely concerned that they can't go in a certain gate or come out of it then I'm worried for us all! It's a small walk that I do every week (In the East Stand all the way around to the Cowshed) and I've coped fine!
The only worry I had was the curbs outside the corner gate near KFC, nearly tripped over it and should have been coned off or marked!
posted on 5/8/12
I certainly did not make McMenzie MOTM and was suprised as those were around me. Agree with you on Bowditch and Smith McM - as well as Martin, who clearly kept us on level terms.
Doumbe, I thought was good, yes there was the slice in front of goal, but more of a mis kick than poor positioning which is where I had issues with regarding McKenzie.
Gleeson however thought was OK. In respect of Williams, if we get in a centre back, then assuming McKenzie can hold his position, then my guess is Robbo is trying to find a role in a more central midfield position for him - hence pushing Smith further up front.
If this can be made to work and the defence holds up, then Robbo is aiming to have a much more attacking minded team for the coming campaign. We will see.
As to the ground works - my understanding was that all of the work would have been completed over the summer break - and while it was a small inconveninece in this game, there were only 4,000 there - when we get 12,000 to 15,000 or even 8,000 on a match day, this will be a big problem
posted on 5/8/12
I guess the builders have been affected by all the rain we have had. A temporary inconvenience, although some may want to wear their hard hat.
posted on 5/8/12
on a seperate note - second half was sitting behind our dug out for a change. I noticed as a few of the players came off - the physio or one of the coaches, reached onto each of the players backs to switch off some sort of balck box they were wearing under their shirts strapped to their backs.
Any ideas as to what it was? Have seen some technolgy up in Finland where they track ice hockey players in real time, assessing all their vital stats, areas on the pitch covered, breathing, etc to provide ongoing technical feedback.