Written by kirsikka
All based on matches where there was no attempt at any point to play a best XI. In fact, it almost seemed a deliberate ploy by AI to test out unusual combinations at times. And, also, by the nature of the matches, there was no competitive edge, and our opponents were mostly doing similarly with their teams.
The Press
Mostly looked disjointed, with some odd lineups and no Kluivert or Christie. And yet, we need it all to click into play in six days. No doubt we’ve been prepping the expected starting XI in training, and the chosen combinations will hopefully slot into place immediately.
Left Back Battle
I think it’s over before it’s started, at least for a while. Sure, Truffert came here as a club captain at his previous club, but Soler must have hoped he could at least make a case for himself and put doubts in the manager’s mind. AT was very good, though. It’s his spot to lose, at least for a while.
Non new-arrivals who made a case for themselves
Brooks and Hill the standouts here. Both looked very impressive at times. You could also make an argument for Scott based on his England appearances. I would have included Dango but…
Taversatilenier
We’ve seen Tavs used on both wings and as a 10 and, at the end of last season, as an 8. I think it was three times he played as an 8 this preseason, which could suggest AI sees something there that he might try more. If I’m honest, the best I remember him playing was in the game where he played wide, but I’m not writing it off.
Goals
Nothing in the goals scored in four of our preseason matches isn’t ideal. Hopefully, more a sign of the nature of the matches and line-ups than anything else. Winning the ball from the high press is such a key part of our attacking game; the disjointed setups were never going to get the same results. Still, it would have nice to have notched a few more.
Injuries, injuries and more injuries
Never mind the outgoings, we’re still suffering from a number of players missing through injury. Christie, Kluivert, Sinisterra, Cook and Unal (ok, that last one was long expected) all having little to no preseason is something that could bite us hard. I hope the change in the medical team can help turn these kind of problems around. Doesn’t feel like the big US recruit worked so a positive that we took action and went for a man who sounds like he could be the business.
Lots we don’t know yet, but here’s my predicted XI for Friday based on what we’ve seen (on the assumption Christie and Kluivert don’t make it. Obviously they come in if they’re fit):
Petrovic
Smith Hill Senesi Truffert
Adams Scott
Brooks Tavs Semenyo
Evanilson
Your say…
Waz AFCB said…
It’s no surprise at all that we failed to score in four of our pre-season games. We suffered from it at the end of last season too, we severely lack creativity. The one player we had towards the end of last season who looked capable of creating anything was Dango and he is off. We really need a big end to the window with two new attackers and two new centre backs. – To join the conversation, please click here.