rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 6, 2021 7:13:40 GMT
As the EFL gets underway we are building up to the last few friendlies which does mean streaming won’t be available for this match. We are now getting down to the nitty-gritty with no more trialists so any sign of A, B, C or D probably will mean they have been offered a contract although signing news may be released before the match anyway. With the EFL starting then incoming loanees are now a possibility.
We last played Chippenham as national league south champions with a large away Yellow army contingent thinking that game would actually be the decider prior to an unexpected Woking lost. As it was we went down to a 2-1 defeat with Koszela getting his first senior goal for the club from a well taken header.
Whereas at Tiverton we kept most of our stronger players in reserve I think the starting 11 for this game won’t be too much difference from that against Altrincham in a fortnight. I think, if all fit, the defence is pretty nailed on with Halstead, Moxey, Wynter, Lewis and Omar. Wright and CLE up front. With no sign of Hall yet, Little and Lapslie in the centre, maybe Andrews and O’Connell on the wings.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 7, 2021 11:28:44 GMT
Whereas at Tiverton we kept most of our stronger players in reserve I think the starting 11 for this game won’t be too much difference from that against Altrincham in a fortnight. I think, if all fit, the defence is pretty nailed on with Halstead, Moxey, Wynter, Lewis and Omar. Wright and CLE up front. With no sign of Hall yet, Little and Lapslie in the centre, maybe Andrews and O’Connell on the wings. I would expect Dan Martin to start, probably for Andrews but possibly for Moxey. Or Moxey could move to the centre for Omar. Would love to see Hall get twenty minutes. When he is fit I would have no room for Little but expect he would be shoe-horned in somewhere. Rumours that Gabby Rogers ( ex Yeovil) who scored that screamer for Tivvy may get a runout. Be interesting to see if Johnson or Holman are still here. |
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Aug 7, 2021 11:51:40 GMT
Got my ticket ⚽️⚽️⚽️🤔
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 7, 2021 12:19:34 GMT
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 7, 2021 14:12:29 GMT
link - Holmen hits bar twice in first 10.
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petef
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Post by petef on Aug 7, 2021 16:00:45 GMT
Sounded encouraging today on the commentary.
The two new recruits, Holman and Johnson also sound like very good additions to the squad.
Player "A" scores a worldy by all accounts- but who is this man?
Its all coming together. Looking forward to first hand reports.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 7, 2021 16:09:38 GMT
Sounded encouraging today on the commentary. The two new recruits, Holman and Johnson also sound like very good additions to the squad. Player "A" scores a worldy by all accounts- but who is this man? Its all coming together. Looking forward to first hand reports. Scored against us on Tuesday- seen him score two crackers with his left foot in a week! |
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 7, 2021 16:44:24 GMT
Playing a strong starting lineup, that was the most complete performance so far in preseason as Gary brings the players up to the boil at the right time. Completely dominated the match and did to Chippenham what Plymouth did to us last Saturday, limiting them to one shot on goal towards the end of the match which Halstead was comfortably able to turn round the post.
CLE was not on the bench and seemed to have a slight limp as he walked past just as the match was starting. Looked like a minor knock and hopefully should be ready for the start of the season. Asa still not ready but at least his gait was comfortable as he walked past us. Straight forward 4-4-2 and only difference from my OP line up was new signing Holman up front with Wright and Lolos on the wing with Andrews on the bench.
Not sure how the first half remained scoreless, at least from our point of view with Holman making an immediate impact hitting the bar twice in the opening 10 minutes. He also had another good shot that just went over the bar. Other chances as well with Lapslie shooting just wide and Wright
close with a header.
We did not have too long to wait in the first half before seeing a goal with Holman working hard to gain possession and then chip the ball over their defence and down the line for O’Connell to run onto the ball and his cross was weighted perfectly for Wright to head home at the far post. Goal number two was close behind with their defender under pressure from O’Connell passing back to their keeper and his clearance hit Holman who was able to then control the ball and delightfully chip over the keeper from a very tight angle to score and get the goal he deserved.
Substitutions started to take place with Gabby Rogers aka player A coming on for Holmen, Andrews for Lapslie in the centre of the park, Dan Martin for Lolos on the left wing and new signings Johnson for O’Connell on the right wing showing what a good utility player he is. Late on Slough replaced Moxey at left back!
The third goal was worth the admission fee on its own. Player A had shown some nice touches and good movement on his debut but received the ball quite far out, 25 to 30 yards and belted a left foot shot that absolutely flew into the top left-hand corner. Dave Thomas in front of me exclaimed, he won’t be a trialist for long!
Good game that saw the side step up, if anything a little disappointed with Chippenham but I will take that as a good sign!
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 7, 2021 17:02:46 GMT
A very solid performance from us.
As Rob says, a straightforward 4-4-2 with Holman and Wright looking a menacing pairing up front.
Rogers played a bit more "in the hole" when he came on. He had played on the right wing for Tivvy, despite being left footed. As noted, two world class goals in a week!
Hope the injury to Lemon is not too bad, although not sure where he will fit in if we do go for Holman and Wright up front. He never looks happy wide right. I'd play him centre midfield above Little, but I see Lapslie and Hall as our bedrock solid two in the longer term. I expect we will see some rotation with game time for Wright, Holman and Hall in particular managed to avoid burnout.
Surprise of the day was that Chelston had never heard of Metronomy!
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 7, 2021 17:10:32 GMT
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 7, 2021 17:58:34 GMT
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Aug 7, 2021 18:34:36 GMT
Surprise of the day was that Chelston had never heard of Metronomy! Modern music, pah ☹️ |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 7, 2021 20:58:22 GMT
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 8, 2021 11:20:53 GMT
Hope the injury to Lemon is not too bad, although not sure where he will fit in if we do go for Holman and Wright up front. He never looks happy wide right. I'd play him centre midfield above Little, but I see Lapslie and Hall as our bedrock solid two in the longer term. I expect we will see some rotation with game time for Wright, Holman and Hall in particular managed to avoid burnout. I suppose if you played wing backs you could have 3 in midfield with Holman and Wright up front. If Holman does work out and I think he will from what I have seen this week then it more realistically gives us options from the bench and the ability to rotate and rest players or decent cover if say Wright got injured again as that cost us the championship last season. Really pleased to see O’Connell have a decent game as not seen much from him since the first half an hour at Poole and after losing Whitfield and Nemane wingers seemed to be the one area where we are weaker than the first half of last season and will be interesting to see who fills the other flank with Lolos. Martin, Johnson and Andrews all able to play out wide and how this ultimately works out The injury to Omar showed we are a bit light in central defence and wouldn’t be surprised to see a loanee fill that gap, preferably of the quality of Sherring. All in all, think the gaffer has done a decent rebuilding job and think we will be very competitive again this year. |
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petef
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Post by petef on Aug 8, 2021 13:24:09 GMT
I feel to be successful you have to be ultra strong form the bench which will always mean selection quandaries for the manager.. GJ is expert at rotating the squad and keeping them happy also have to remember tmost are young players coming here to improve their games under the best manager in the division.
Reckon hes done as good as he could under the circumstances whether enough to challenge at the top again is another matter with so much money being flashed around among the ex league sides.
Gamble on Notts, Stockport, Wrexham etc- when success doesn't come and the supporters get despondent it could ultimately cost them their club.
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