07 Aug 2025 10:34:42
Of course friendlies aren't always the best thing to go by but having watched some of the game yesterday on and off few things really do concern me which are lingering from last season.

We really don't look sharp on possession. Very slow movement and passing around until we pass to saka. Just look predictable.

Left wing is a concern for me. Martenelli just isn't cutting it. Constantly missing good runs by looking at the floor all the time it's frustrating

Of course we could kick straight into gear against united but those two points stick out for me because I felt last season they was obvious concerns.

1.) 07 Aug 2025
07 Aug 2025 12:14:31
I read that Viktor looked sharp and made a lot of runs into the box although no one found the final pass for him. How did he look?

I guess you’ve answered my other questions - slow pass pass pass attack and predictably all down the rhs. Is that a fair summary?

Can’t believe people are saying he’s fat….

2.) 07 Aug 2025
07 Aug 2025 14:20:14
I appreciate it's hard to judge players in friendlies which is why I highlighted issues still there that I saw last season.

With regards to gyokores he got into the game as it went on. It's almost like he doesn't fit our system yet. He's certainly not fat but people need to keep in mind he didn't train with sporting as he was forcing through a move to us. So fitness might not be where it should be. He did make some good runs but no one seemed to spot them.

3.) 07 Aug 2025
07 Aug 2025 17:24:53
I watched the game on a Spanish feed, so without the benefit or curse of a commentary, I had trouble identifying some players. I really didn't notice Gyökeres much. I thought Villarreal, really pressured us well and we didn't settle into any rythym. Need to see more of the new guys to form an opinion. But Max Dowman, wow.

4.) 07 Aug 2025
07 Aug 2025 17:46:34
Thanks D16 - great to hear that he is making intelligent runs. If he keeps doing that I am sure the quality of Ode, Sake etc will find him. Like you say we need to adapt to get the best out of him and I think we need to adapt to be less pedestrian and predictable going forward.
Thanks again ?.

5.) 07 Aug 2025
07 Aug 2025 18:06:09
You can’t judge on friendlies. We were playing at 50%.
Judge after the Man U game.

6.) 07 Aug 2025
07 Aug 2025 22:42:03
Agree to some extent helder. There was other concerns however as you say 50% is about right. That being said the highlighted issues we saw last season which is a huge problem. Especially that left wing.

And for the record dowman came on and looked amazing. Best player on the pitch.

7.) 08 Aug 2025
08 Aug 2025 01:49:41
I have been on the fence about the importance of friendlies but as time goes on with Mikel I think they really do show the level we are at. Hence I'd be a little concerned that our play still looks predictable. Can't rely on Dowman to bail us out every week, but the fact that he's making waves because he plays directly is both a sign of his talent AND a sign that we need to change our tactics and go for the throat a bit better.

8.) 08 Aug 2025
08 Aug 2025 08:56:01
We played Villareal with half our starting first eleven. In my experience when playing even a couple of first teamers out made a big difference. The first team is looking strong and much better bench this year. I`m still trusting Sammy on Eze coming (Probably we`re allowing him to play in Community Shield and he`ll be fit) plus a LW of note. Thinking Martinelli is lacking confidence and the twatter nonsense isn`t helping. There is a player there but Eze and Madueke should be enough cover if he stays. Let`s hope Berta is behind the scenes working on the Eze/ LW and MA the style of play. Again excited for the season to start. Really excited to see Max get game time on for Saka giving Saka a rest too - he will / is a gamechanger COYG.

9.) 08 Aug 2025
08 Aug 2025 11:03:16
I like Mart but it might be nearly time for him to move on, and I think he will if he doesn’t step up this season.
I actually think he’d flourish in the Italian or Spanish league.

10.) 08 Aug 2025
08 Aug 2025 11:28:41
Partly agree Sussex - no doubt that we are in a better position than last season. My worry is more that there was a lot to fix in our attacking play last season in terms of how stale we were, and I had hoped that this summer we would see a bit of a refresh in that department.

It's only preseason - we still probably might - but losing at OT would be a kick in the goolies.