Pre season friendlies

[FGR Stroud]

Lost 2-1 at home to Swansea. Stevens with a late pen, played pretty well look a bit short of goal scorers though.

Fantastic that the away end was full of away supporters who were vociferous noisy throughout game. At one time our Welsh opponents sang the England theme song: "Football's coming home"
Gosh all teams have missed playing in front of spectators, including away fans.

Once again FGR lose 1-2 to Championship opponents despite the 1st team completely dominating the 1st half until the raft of subs.
FGR played last 20 minutes of game with just 10 players on pitch [injury not subbed]. They did fine.

I've been telling all that on pre-season performance FGR will do well in coming season. But I was told that I'm always optimistic regarding FGR.

 

[Conker]

I don’t let pre-season affect my expectations in to the coming season at all.

 

[Chris FGR]

I never have either, they are glorified training sessions.

The only thing you can usually tell from pre season is whether you are totally fucked or not. We look pretty solid and the players seem to understand what they’re supposed to be doing, which is a decent starting point.

 

[shoddycollins]

I never have either, they are glorified training sessions.

The only thing you can usually tell from pre season is whether you are totally fucked or not. We look pretty solid and the players seem to understand what they’re supposed to be doing, which is a decent starting point.

With only one freindly against League opposition this time around (which we lost 1-0 to Blackpool) and only one other professional team to face (Halifax, so professional only in the technical sense of the word) our pre-season has basically comprised of us running up cricket scores against teams whose season was abandoned in February and who haven't trained almost all year, in the midst of a heatwave, so I'm not even reading that into it.

Chorley mind you, did beat Morecambe 1-0 before facing us, which apparently caused a pitch invasion from the Morecambe fans (a mate who went got chatting to a Chorley steward). Hasn't been reported anywhere, but if I find a report then it's definitely going in the tinpot thread.

 

[valefan16]

Pett isn't a goalscorer. Most of our squad have been brought in based on what they have the potential to do not what they have a proven record of doing. The only players that will excite me next season are Pett and conlon the rest of them are just players nobody else wants. I wouldnt back rodney or Wilson to score many next season as they won't get the service. We also won't keep many clean sheets as what vale side does apart from the 1954 iron curtain side. The signing of Ben garrity baffles me I have no idea what he brings to the squad. Signing Jamie Proctor a non scoring forward, we have enough non scoring players in our squad without having a striker that doesn't score. We arnt any better than midtable. I wouldnt be surprised if we're in the bottom 6 after the first month of the season aswell.

Pett is 1 in 6 in his career which isn't bad for a midfielder.

I don't think there is any evidence yet they wont get the service (DC confirms we are after another hitman and left winger today), you have Benning and Gibbons full backs who are very good at this level, plus Worrall who's an assist machine.

I've seen us take apart Sheff Wed's 3-0, smack Manchester United XI (With Campbell, Rossi, Shawcross, Zeigler etc) and get relegated so try not to get to worried by pre season as its usually absolutely no bearing come the real stuff.

Do need another striker and winger though sooner rather than later!

 

[ShrimpsMeltdown]

With only one freindly against League opposition this time around (which we lost 1-0 to Blackpool) and only one other professional team to face (Halifax, so professional only in the technical sense of the word) our pre-season has basically comprised of us running up cricket scores against teams whose season was abandoned in February and who haven't trained almost all year, in the midst of a heatwave, so I'm not even reading that into it.

Chorley mind you, did beat Morecambe 1-0 before facing us, which apparently caused a pitch invasion from the Morecambe fans (a mate who went got chatting to a Chorley steward). Hasn't been reported anywhere, but if I find a report then it's definitely going in the tinpot thread.

A pitch invasion? At Chorley? I know we're tinpot but we're not that tinpot.

I was there and didn't see anything, that steward is having you on.

 

[shoddycollins]

A pitch invasion? At Chorley? I know we're tinpot but we're not that tinpot.

I was there and didn't see anything, that steward is having you on.

Not having me on, I wasn't there, I didn't hear what he actually said.

Maybe a Morecambe fan cut across a corner of the pitch on their way out.

 

[Chris FGR]

 

[GEORGE]

Fantastic that the away end was full of away supporters who were vociferous noisy throughout game. At one time our Welsh opponents sang the England theme song: "Football's coming home"
Gosh all teams have missed playing in front of spectators, including away fans.

Once again FGR lose 1-2 to Championship opponents despite the 1st team completely dominating the 1st half until the raft of subs.
FGR played last 20 minutes of game with just 10 players on pitch [injury not subbed]. They did fine.

I've been telling all that on pre-season performance FGR will do well in coming season. But I was told that I'm always optimistic regarding FGR.

Strange that they played you. As they cancelled our game against them on saturday morning only a few hours before the match stating there club was racked with Covid. That was only 4 days before you played them. I guess they must have relaxed the rules ?

 

[northstandexile]

View attachment 14956

I am sure he is a Spirite

 

[Greenacres]

Strange that they played you. As they cancelled our game against them on saturday morning only a few hours before the match stating there club was racked with Covid. That was only 4 days before you played them. I guess they must have relaxed the rules ?

We were surprised too, given that the message we heard was that they had positive tests in their first team squad bubble and a number of players were isolating...hopefully it was only the witty banter of their fans, and Italian flag, that they brought with them and not the virus.

 

[AdamStag]

Would definitely have him back here. Don't know what his previous clubs were doing to him but he always grafted here. One of his biggest issues was having to come off after 80 minutes every other game because he'd run himself into the ground.

You certainly had a different player!

 

[Andy Proctor]

Pett is 1 in 6 in his career which isn't bad for a midfielder.

I don't think there is any evidence yet they wont get the service (DC confirms we are after another hitman and left winger today), you have Benning and Gibbons full backs who are very good at this level, plus Worrall who's an assist machine.

I've seen us take apart Sheff Wed's 3-0, smack Manchester United XI (With Campbell, Rossi, Shawcross, Zeigler etc) and get relegated so try not to get to worried by pre season as its usually absolutely no bearing come the real stuff.

Do need another striker and winger though sooner rather than later!

Based on what Clarke says that we are looking for a left winger and another striker that backs up my comments about there being a lack of width in the team not much creativity and not enough goals in the team. I hope he can get these players in before the Northampton game and not at the end of August.

 

[shoddycollins]

Our final friendly, tomorrow is against Halifax (or Brother FC Halifax as the reformed club is known)

This prompted our local newspaper to share what happened the last time we met, back in the Conference, probably the most bizarre goal we've ever scored.

'Fax keeper Ian Dunbavin thinks he's been fouled by Glenn Murray and kicks out at Murray who turns round and gives a little shove. Both protest to the referee who indicates to play on. Dunbavin thinking the referee is calling him over walks towards him, carrying the ball out of the box. The referee blows for a free kick to Carlisle, Murray takes the ball and plays a quick free kick to Magno Viera with Dunbavin only at that moment realising the ball is in play and Viera taps it into an open goal.

That was in the final minute of a match which stood at 0-0 too. I think these days the referee wouldn't allow a quick free kick to be taken while the opposition keeper is still unsure as to what is going on but they were less forgiving on that sort of thing in those days and if Dunbavin wasn't quick enough to realise that the referee's signal meant Carlisle have a free kick then it's on him.

Bonus commentary by Rhod Gilbert. Don't know what show this was on but it's clearly number one in some sort of countdown of gaffes or comedy moments of some description.

what is it with the Youtube links these days?

 

[Chief Rocka]

We're ending our pre season tonight away at what is a big test versus .... Step 8(?) Dunston United FC.

Even we won't lose this, right?

 

[Fedora Dale]

According to someone our forum, we played Oldham behind closed doors today, winning 5-1. Don't know the relative strength of the teams - if Latics have a game tomorrow they may have played a young/scratch team. Still better than losing 5-1 though...

 

[Salvador]

According to someone our forum, we played Oldham behind closed doors today, winning 5-1. Don't know the relative strength of the teams - if Latics have a game tomorrow they may have played a young/scratch team. Still better than losing 5-1 though...

The main thing I’m taking from that and other pre-season games is Beesley is on top form which bodes well.

 

[Fedora Dale]

The main thing I’m taking from that and other pre-season games is Beesley is on top form which bodes well.

Three Trialist defenders started, and a trialist goalie came on for the last half hour. Also of note - no Ollie Rathbone, and the young lad Jesus (1st year trainee) got a run out for the last 20 minutes.

 

[Loyal Dale]

Hearing that Ollie may have been sold. Sad news if true but I suppose we have to pay for the damage done by Bottomley.

 

[shoddycollins]

Has everyone found that they have a lack of higher division teams to play in friendlies this summer?

 

[kieran_vale]

Has everyone found that they have a lack of higher division teams to play in friendlies this summer?

Not especially. To be honest it’s easy for us to get a friendly with Forest for example as there’s been a decent relationship between the clubs for a while now. Having a central location probably helps us though to be fair.

Finish up with Chezzy tomorrow. Probably be an hour or so for those who will start at Northampton. Just hope everyone gets through on both sides with no knocks.

 

[valefan16]

Not especially. To be honest it’s easy for us to get a friendly with Forest for example as there’s been a decent relationship between the clubs for a while now. Having a central location probably helps us though to be fair.

Finish up with Chezzy tomorrow. Probably be an hour or so for those who will start at Northampton. Just hope everyone gets through on both sides with no knocks.

Yeah we seem to play Forest every year now as we link up with them through Sproson hence seem to get loanees from them.

Good test at a ground (inc Saltergate) we never win at tomorrow (bar that crazy 5-0). In fact we barely get a draw there either!

Good to see Manny again for the fans to say farewell he was a cult hero a bit.

 

[kieran_vale]

Yeah we seem to play Forest every year now as we link up with them through Sproson hence seem to get loanees from them.

Good test at a ground (inc Saltergate) we never win at tomorrow (bar that crazy 5-0). In fact we barely get a draw there either!

Good to see Manny again for the fans to say farewell he was a cult hero a bit.

Aye, by looks of it Manny has already lasted longer this pre-season with them he ever did at Vale. Not sure what that says about our setup previously….

Think the one to watch now is the LCB role whether it’s either Johnson or Jones. Other one will be Cass. DC has said he’s been on a different training routine due to the point he joined us so maybe he might get an extended run.

 

[chipmunx]

We're ending our pre season tonight away at what is a big test versus .... Step 8(?) Dunston United FC.

Even we won't lose this, right?

for once you're right - you won 5-0

 

[Salvador]

Hearing that Ollie may have been sold. Sad news if true but I suppose we have to pay for the damage done by Bottomley.

To Rotherham? Not sure how I feel. He’s a top player and we’ll be better with him than without him But I’d rather we cash in now than let him for free in the summer. Hendo and Lund going for nowt has hurt. Also he owes us nowt. Had a great run with us and I’d never begrudge a player going for more money (I’d do the same!) but tbf the last few windows the usual rumour merchants have said he is going. Who knows.

 

[Chief Rocka]

for once you're right - you won 5-0

Never in doubt, our oppo were all at work till 5pm this afty.

 

[doveranddover]

According to our manager Dover's friendly tomorrow is about

Playing against top-class League 2 opposition are the games that will prepare us for the season ahead.

Yes, it's Stevenage

 

[shoddycollins]

According to our manager Dover's friendly tomorrow is about



Yes, it's Stevenage

to be fair, Stevenage could have a decent season, second half of last season they did very well.

 

[doveranddover]

to be fair, Stevenage could have a decent season, second half of last season they did very well.

Can't bring myself to be fair to Stevenage !

 

[shoddycollins]

Finished our pre-season campaign off by beating Halifax 3-0.

Not much of a contest really. We scored two early goals; the first a free kick curled in by Clough, the second after Mampala got on the end of a low Dickenson cross and then the game fizzled out a bit. Second half we tried just about every combination of players and positions imaginable as Chris Beech decided to see if Jon Mellish could still play as a centre-back and wondered what a 3-4-3 formation might look like. Right at the end we got a third as a defender turned another low cross, by Toure this time, into his own net.

Seems like we've learned a few things here and there this pre-season but only Chris Beech will know what it all means, most of the teams we've played have been non-league and they barely managed a shot on goal between all of them.