Pre-season matches

observer wrote:All over - How do you spell relief?  D-A-W-S-O-N

Don't bother with the fact that he is currently untouchable, unsellable, etc.  He is the only one who has plugged our dyke.  We will be leaking goals without some help on defense.  Sordell and Beckford will have to score 4 goals per game for us to win with this defense.  A long season ahead.

Should Mills be sold we'll need a new centre back, if he isn't then we already have 4 and I can't see one being signed. You say not to bother with the fact Dawson is an unrealistic signing, that can't be ignored though. Every fan would like him to come but the club don't have £5 million plus to try and get him, so forget it.

Like others you're reading far too much into pre season, it means nothing.

From what I gather the albions fans don't like Dawson, they seem to think he's average and not good enough for the prem, those views were after he scored an own goal during on of their pre season games though.

3 million would certainly interest them into a sale

Sounds like we were hanging on for the draw near the end.  I'm filled with confidence for the season...I don't know about you lot.  Warm up match ....we know that but this was close to our first 11.  Odd flashes in attack and no defense to speak of.
There will be blokes on here saying that in two weeks all will be grand .... hope your right.

terenceanne wrote:Sounds like we were hanging on for the draw near the end.  I'm filled with confidence for the season...I don't know about you lot.  Warm up match ....we know that but this was close to our first 11.  Odd flashes in attack and no defense to speak of.
There will be blokes on here saying that in two weeks all will be grand .... hope your right.

Where's your match report come from?

How can you decide there were odd flashes in attack and no defence to speak of?

Burnley will break us.

Unless we get a good GK that doesn't flap, and a leader CB.

bwfc1874 wrote:

observer wrote:All over - How do you spell relief?  D-A-W-S-O-N

Don't bother with the fact that he is currently untouchable, unsellable, etc.  He is the only one who has plugged our dyke.  We will be leaking goals without some help on defense.  Sordell and Beckford will have to score 4 goals per game for us to win with this defense.  A long season ahead.

Should Mills be sold we'll need a new centre back, if he isn't then we already have 4 and I can't see one being signed. You say not to bother with the fact Dawson is an unrealistic signing, that can't be ignored though. Every fan would like him to come but the club don't have £5 million plus to try and get him, so forget it.

Like others you're reading far too much into pre season, it means nothing.

Come two weeks, Dawson may be available ( and affordable)... and if you look at our record without him, well... enough said.  Don't underestimate our dismal preseason performances.  At the least, the team needs to be cohesive and go into the season knowing they can win.  The positive today was the explosive offensive firepower.  Now we have to help Knight get back to the weeks when we were winning with Dawson helping him.  At least that is my opinion.

observer wrote:

bwfc1874 wrote:

observer wrote:All over - How do you spell relief?  D-A-W-S-O-N

Don't bother with the fact that he is currently untouchable, unsellable, etc.  He is the only one who has plugged our dyke.  We will be leaking goals without some help on defense.  Sordell and Beckford will have to score 4 goals per game for us to win with this defense.  A long season ahead.

Should Mills be sold we'll need a new centre back, if he isn't then we already have 4 and I can't see one being signed. You say not to bother with the fact Dawson is an unrealistic signing, that can't be ignored though. Every fan would like him to come but the club don't have £5 million plus to try and get him, so forget it.

Like others you're reading far too much into pre season, it means nothing.

Come two weeks, Dawson may be available ( and affordable)... and if you look at our record without him, well... enough said.  Don't underestimate our dismal preseason performances.  At the least, the team needs to be cohesive and go into the season knowing they can win.  The positive today was the explosive offensive firepower.  Now we have to help Knight get back to the weeks when we were winning with Dawson helping him.  At least that is my opinion.

Your right, Knight was better when Dawson was telling him what to do.

We need Dawson more than we need Rhodes imo.

Knight is not a leader he's a sheep and will follow a more sexier sheep in Dawson.

Dawson will follow the game and put Knight where he wants him, if that makes any sense like.

observer wrote:

bwfc1874 wrote:

observer wrote:All over - How do you spell relief?  D-A-W-S-O-N

Don't bother with the fact that he is currently untouchable, unsellable, etc.  He is the only one who has plugged our dyke.  We will be leaking goals without some help on defense.  Sordell and Beckford will have to score 4 goals per game for us to win with this defense.  A long season ahead.

Should Mills be sold we'll need a new centre back, if he isn't then we already have 4 and I can't see one being signed. You say not to bother with the fact Dawson is an unrealistic signing, that can't be ignored though. Every fan would like him to come but the club don't have £5 million plus to try and get him, so forget it.

Like others you're reading far too much into pre season, it means nothing.

Come two weeks, Dawson may be available ( and affordable)... and if you look at our record without him, well... enough said.  Don't underestimate our dismal preseason performances.  At the least, the team needs to be cohesive and go into the season knowing they can win.  The positive today was the explosive offensive firepower.  Now we have to help Knight get back to the weeks when we were winning with Dawson helping him.  At least that is my opinion.

As I said, every fan would like Dawson back and you're right to say Knight improved with him. But the fact is he isn't available for what we can afford to pay - it's equivalent to saying, 'we need to sign Jordan Rhodes' it's not going to happen.

As for pre season you're wrong about it, there's no correlation between how a team performs in pre season and how they perform come August, so we need to stop trying to create one.

NEW Shrewsbury recruits John Marsden and Akwasi Asante were on target as the goals flowed in an entertaining warm-up clash at the Greenhous Meadow.

Goals were the order of the afternoon with Marvin Sordell's thunderous brace for Bolton putting the Championship outfit in the driving seat.

But Town hit back in the second-half to cancel out a 3-1 defecit with Paul Parry also firing in a stunning finish as equally good as Sordell's second effort.

The Wanderers striker lashed home the 19th-minute opener after summer signing Rob Hall had set him up with some strong attacking play.

But Marsden also showed an eye for goal when he poked Jon Taylor's cross in at the near post for a 31st-minute leveller.

Bolton, though, were soon ahead again when Chris Eagles neatly slotted into the bottom corner after Darren Pratley's neat lay-off (31).

Weale made good saves from Sordell and Pratley, but was beaten all ends ups by Sordell's terrific 25-yard drive which found the left-hand corner for Bolton's third.

Sordell went close to grabbing a hat-trick before Parry volleyed in (65).

And a pleasing second-half for Salop was completed when Asante made the most of a mistake by Zat Knight to run through and clinically slot a deserved equaliser against the Championship outfit (77).

Bogdan, Baptiste, Knight, Wheater, Tierney, Andrews, Medo, Pratley, Eagles, Hall, Sordell

Subs: Lonergan, Mears, Mills, Ream, C Davies, Gregus, Bolger, Odelusi, Lester

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bwfc1874 wrote:

observer wrote:

bwfc1874 wrote:

observer wrote:All over - How do you spell relief?  D-A-W-S-O-N

Don't bother with the fact that he is currently untouchable, unsellable, etc.  He is the only one who has plugged our dyke.  We will be leaking goals without some help on defense.  Sordell and Beckford will have to score 4 goals per game for us to win with this defense.  A long season ahead.

Should Mills be sold we'll need a new centre back, if he isn't then we already have 4 and I can't see one being signed. You say not to bother with the fact Dawson is an unrealistic signing, that can't be ignored though. Every fan would like him to come but the club don't have £5 million plus to try and get him, so forget it.

Like others you're reading far too much into pre season, it means nothing.

Come two weeks, Dawson may be available ( and affordable)... and if you look at our record without him, well... enough said.  Don't underestimate our dismal preseason performances.  At the least, the team needs to be cohesive and go into the season knowing they can win.  The positive today was the explosive offensive firepower.  Now we have to help Knight get back to the weeks when we were winning with Dawson helping him.  At least that is my opinion.

As I said, every fan would like Dawson back and you're right to say Knight improved with him. But the fact is he isn't available for what we can afford to pay - it's equivalent to saying, 'we need to sign Jordan Rhodes' it's not going to happen.

As for pre season you're wrong about it, there's no correlation between how a team performs in pre season and how they perform come August, so we need to stop trying to create one.

Glad you are so positive about one thing... that you are correct and others are wrong. This is subjective and we are all entitled to our opinion.  But if you were to explore what sports psychologists say about mental preparation you would find the following:

Simulation is a mental training process that is a direct linkage between mental control and the sport. Simple simulations include the mental rehearsal of sport-specific techniques such as the mental review of all aspects of a foul shot in basketball, from the first approach to the foul line to the ball falling through the cylinder. An important component of effective simulation is the appreciation of all of the senses that the athlete would expect to engage at the time of the actual event being simulated. Using the basketball foul shot as an example, the player would be encouraged to think not only of the mechanics of the shot, but how the ball feels in the shooter's hand, the sensation of the player's shoes on the floor, and the sound made by the ball as it swishes through the mesh of the basket on a successful attempt. Simulation seeks to build the entire act and its surrounding physical circumstances in the mind, to better equip the athlete to deal with those related sensations during competition.

Simulation is the mental companion to the physical training involved in sports practice. The live drills used by teams to prepare for competition are the mirror to the mental training and psychological preparation of simulation. The overriding purpose of both imagery and simulation in sport is to assist in the development of confidence in the athlete.

Well, I for one, and I know you disagree, feel that preseason is important in the development of all skills and for the confidence to begin.  It's fine when the second and third team are in to discount the preseason.  But it's another thing to see Knightmare getting caught with two left feet and being caught out of position.  If Eddie ever wants to see some of his money back by us returning to the EPL, then some money will have to spent to strengthen the team.  DF will be losing sleep tonight to find a way to help Knight get straightened out. 

Since you and I have no say in how Eddie spends his money, we can only write on blogs urging him to bring back what we believe helps the team. 

I've never said that the preseason is an absolute predictor of a team's success or failure in the regular season.  I only fear the lack of confidence in the first team when we start the season.  The good thing is that this is a long campaign and DF is winning the fitness battle and that no one has taken out part of our first team as of yet.

I seem to remember we had a superb pre season under Sammy Lee....

observer wrote:

bwfc1874 wrote:

observer wrote:

bwfc1874 wrote:

observer wrote:All over - How do you spell relief?  D-A-W-S-O-N

Don't bother with the fact that he is currently untouchable, unsellable, etc.  He is the only one who has plugged our dyke.  We will be leaking goals without some help on defense.  Sordell and Beckford will have to score 4 goals per game for us to win with this defense.  A long season ahead.

Should Mills be sold we'll need a new centre back, if he isn't then we already have 4 and I can't see one being signed. You say not to bother with the fact Dawson is an unrealistic signing, that can't be ignored though. Every fan would like him to come but the club don't have £5 million plus to try and get him, so forget it.

Like others you're reading far too much into pre season, it means nothing.

Come two weeks, Dawson may be available ( and affordable)... and if you look at our record without him, well... enough said.  Don't underestimate our dismal preseason performances.  At the least, the team needs to be cohesive and go into the season knowing they can win.  The positive today was the explosive offensive firepower.  Now we have to help Knight get back to the weeks when we were winning with Dawson helping him.  At least that is my opinion.

As I said, every fan would like Dawson back and you're right to say Knight improved with him. But the fact is he isn't available for what we can afford to pay - it's equivalent to saying, 'we need to sign Jordan Rhodes' it's not going to happen.

As for pre season you're wrong about it, there's no correlation between how a team performs in pre season and how they perform come August, so we need to stop trying to create one.

Glad you are so positive about one thing... that you are correct and others are wrong. This is subjective and we are all entitled to our opinion.  But if you were to explore what sports psychologists say about mental preparation you would find the following:

Simulation is a mental training process that is a direct linkage between mental control and the sport. Simple simulations include the mental rehearsal of sport-specific techniques such as the mental review of all aspects of a foul shot in basketball, from the first approach to the foul line to the ball falling through the cylinder. An important component of effective simulation is the appreciation of all of the senses that the athlete would expect to engage at the time of the actual event being simulated. Using the basketball foul shot as an example, the player would be encouraged to think not only of the mechanics of the shot, but how the ball feels in the shooter's hand, the sensation of the player's shoes on the floor, and the sound made by the ball as it swishes through the mesh of the basket on a successful attempt. Simulation seeks to build the entire act and its surrounding physical circumstances in the mind, to better equip the athlete to deal with those related sensations during competition.

Simulation is the mental companion to the physical training involved in sports practice. The live drills used by teams to prepare for competition are the mirror to the mental training and psychological preparation of simulation. The overriding purpose of both imagery and simulation in sport is to assist in the development of confidence in the athlete.

Well, I for one, and I know you disagree, feel that preseason is important in the development of all skills and for the confidence to begin.  It's fine when the second and third team are in to discount the preseason.  But it's another thing to see Knightmare getting caught with two left feet and being caught out of position.  If Eddie ever wants to see some of his money back by us returning to the EPL, then some money will have to spent to strengthen the team.  DF will be losing sleep tonight to find a way to help Knight get straightened out. 

Since you and I have no say in how Eddie spends his money, we can only write on blogs urging him to bring back what we believe helps the team. 

I've never said that the preseason is an absolute predictor of a team's success or failure in the regular season.  I only fear the lack of confidence in the first team when we start the season.  The good thing is that this is a long campaign and DF is winning the fitness battle and that no one has taken out part of our first team as of yet.

Referring to simulation doesn't prove your point at all though. Yes pre season's a good way of getting fitness, but it's no better to improve a players mental control over situations than training. A better example could be drawn from their previous match experience, with a level of intensity which training and pre season cannot re-create.

I apologise if you felt I dismissed your opinion on this, but I find it ridiculous when people try to read into pre season and moan about how poor we'll be next season when they have nothing to base it on.

As for the Dawson thing, look at our financial state and how poorly we've spent recently does it really surprise you that the board aren't freely allowing money to be spent? He'd cost around £5 million, which we don't have, not to mention the fact WBA have said he's not for sale and there's been no indication he'd want to come. I'd like to see a new center back come in too, but we need to shift one first and then hope Dougie can pick up a gem on the cheap.

It's only pre-season - no need for the panic button. I two weeks all will be gr- oh, wait.

Looking back over the past few years we do it the hard way every day.

Why are you so confident now .

Or is it heart ruling head ?

There is a difference in approach to how the team is being managed now as against the last 3-4 seasons. There doesn't seem to be any golf or ping-pong sessions during training and the manager is going for young, lean and hungry in his recruitment. Those players that may have thought themselves Premiership players would have now realized that they are not Premiership players unless they bring the team up since no Prem team came in for any of them. These factors tell me that our Douglas and his team have a good idea of what is needed to progress and are working at it. Onwards and upwards, I say.

scottjames30 wrote:Looking back over the past few years we do it the hard way every day.

Why are you so confident now .

Or is it heart ruling head ?

Im not overly confident for next season, Im not sure how it will go but if I was to make a prediction now I'd put us in the play offs; a full season under DF should improve us. 

It's hard to predict how a side will fare until they've played a few games IMO and that's why it's stupid to base much on pre season, it proves absolutely nothing.

Success breeds success. There is no substitute for winning. Jimmy Connors, the tennis player, summed it up best when he was asked the secret of his success. He replied, " I started winning when I started losing."

Carlisle away next Tuesday followed by Real Betis at the Reebok next Friday should give us more match fitness and give Dougie more of an idea as to where improvements can be made.

Today I am not to worried about the result but if we happen to let in 3 against them again in a few weeks then I will be concerned.

Looking forwards to the Betis game, that should be good. lets hope we win that to send us full of confidence for Burnley.

Still think we're short at the back by 35%.