Just back from the match

I reckon it's fairer to judge where we are from the first half than the second and my feeling is that the result was less important than seeing how various combos worked out. (hence I'm not too sore at the result)

Positives

Cantwell was excellent. I was impressed with how he improved over last year and clearly he's looking to get himself in the reckoning for this year despite Roberts etc. Looked good as an alternative in the 10 role.

Onel and Lewis bossed the left hand side. Quick, dangerous powerful in the tackle.

Godfrey already looks top top top class. So quick. So assured. His pace, touch and composure were superb.

Trybull looked totally in control in the first half and adapted to still be effective once they sussed his initial game.

Learning points...

Emi, Pukki, byram and Klose (maybe Leitner too) are still getting match sharp. They had their good points and the occasional brain fade (dunno what Klose was thinking for the first, but his reading of their attackers for much of the game was great). Byram looks good on the attack and looked better in defence when he kept things simple. I wonder if Emi missed max, he looked a bit all at sea when byram bombed forward. That said, he didn't quite click even they shuffled out left.

Gk - Farhmann is clearly a good shot stopper, but will take a while to get an understanding with our defence. I'd reckon krul will start, but would be comfy with our cover if he loses fitness or form.

Srbeny is not a stipermann alternative and hasnt the touch or sharpness for the game we play. His disruption ability doesn't work for me. Reckon he needs game time, maybe a loan out until Christmas.

Vrancic looks creative, dangerous in the tackle and able to pick a great pass. Once fit he could probably play in any of the midfield positions.

McLean looked OK for trybull, but was let down by the mess from the changes in front of him. Hard to judge. Similarly drmic who looked sharp in warmup but was isolated up front when the midfield switched. Likewise Roberts looked cut off. Heise doesn't look match sharp yet either.

Would have been really interesting to see stiepermann in that match, as he makes the front centre tick (although Cantwell did the same in a different style)

Been a lot of talk about dfm but the main points I took were that we will rely heavily on Godfrey to mop up at the back this year as we pile forward. We have players who can cover that role, but I'd like to see Vrancic in there for his strength.

That no 10 role will be key too. Cantwell might work in the less physical games, stiepermann I suspect will still be key to how we play there. I'm not sure that drmic +pukki would be a good idea.

Rhodes in for srbeny (if he's not gone for 10mil). Speedy dfm or cb will be essential if Godfrey gets a knock.

All in all, an interesting game which raised some hopes and rang some alarm bells. We've got a decent squad, but for me the defensive frailties are all about how we balance attack vs defense, and less about the personnel.

Lots to consider and tweak. Which should be what pre season friendlies are about.

Posted By: Cardiff Canary, Jul 31, 17:54:42