Any reports

[dickos1]

As a side they all need to be 10-15 yards further up and pressing.
Gave them far too much time tonight, and we certainly don’t have the pace to play on the counter attack

[NewDonny]

The problem for me was he was massively isolated, our midfield was so deep it was frightening, sadlier and copps were always 10-15 yards deeper than him, which lead to hardly any interplay in the final 3rd.
The two flicks to play people through in the first half from marquis were quality as was the cross but there was nobody on the end of it.

I’m a fan of sadlier but felt he was very poor tonight, constantly gave the ball away.
Also Blair can’t be playing as a holding midfielder may aswell put him in goal

Not sure I saw Sadlier give the ball away much atall. Crosses got blocked, shots were blocked yes but at least he tried to take the game to `HTFC, Madger and Blair gave the ball away, as did Copps. But then again that's what pre season friendlies are all about, I could hear the dugout telling Sadlier to take them on, get at them all night and tbh I can see why as he had the beating of his player all night. Marquis is the reason why there is a gap, thats not down to Copps and Sadlier, its down to all there of them to ensure they are working as a unit but Marquis is just simply not interested, doesn't want to be at the club and was not tuned into the game tonight or at the weekend.

[Dare to dream!]

The problem for me was he was massively isolated, our midfield was so deep it was frightening, sadlier and copps were always 10-15 yards deeper than him, which lead to hardly any interplay in the final 3rd.
The two flicks to play people through in the first half from marquis were quality as was the cross but there was nobody on the end of it.

I’m a fan of sadlier but felt he was very poor tonight, constantly gave the ball away.
Also Blair can’t be playing as a holding midfielder may aswell put him in goal

If Saidler is going to be a starter playing every week then he needs to be playing central attacking mid because he isn’t disciplined to be playing wide. 

[dickos1]

The problem for me was he was massively isolated, our midfield was so deep it was frightening, sadlier and copps were always 10-15 yards deeper than him, which lead to hardly any interplay in the final 3rd.
The two flicks to play people through in the first half from marquis were quality as was the cross but there was nobody on the end of it.

I’m a fan of sadlier but felt he was very poor tonight, constantly gave the ball away.
Also Blair can’t be playing as a holding midfielder may aswell put him in goal

Not sure I saw Sadlier give the ball away much atall. Crosses got blocked, shots were blocked yes but at least he tried to take the game to `HTFC, Madger and Blair gave the ball away, as did Copps. But then again that's what pre season friendlies are all about, I could hear the dugout telling Sadlier to take them on, get at them all night and tbh I can see why as he had the beating of his player all night. Marquis is the reason why there is a gap, thats not down to Copps and Sadlier, its down to all there of them to ensure they are working as a unit but Marquis is just simply not interested, doesn't want to be at the club and was not tuned into the game tonight or at the weekend.

We will have to disagree,
Sadlier gave the ball away for their first goal, copps was constantly telling him to calm down and keep the ball.
Marquis was pressing and closing people down and on numerous occasions he looked around and our nearest player was 15 yards behind him. That’s not his fault, that’s the team as a whole being far too deep

[Spilsby Red]

Perhaps Marquis needs to be dropped then. Boococks chance. No one is bigger than the club

[dickos1]

I didn’t get the impression he didn’t want to be here tonight.
Maybe if you went to the game thinking that then whatever he did you’d be leaving still thinking the same.
He was the only player closing people down

[DonnyBazR0ver]

At least we've had a couple of balanced reports, so thanks lads for that.

Taking into account it's a pre-season friendly and we were missing Whiteman who generally makes us tick, you kinda know you're not going to see a rip roaring performance, especially in this heat, albeit same for both teams.

My understanding is DM is favouring a 4 2 3 1 system. Now I wasn't there to see if they attempted to play that system, but if it's a change to last season it will take some adjusting, whether that be DM coaching the system and/or acquiring players that can play the system however long it takes.

Some will say we don't have the time. We'll, we do, even if that means a transition 1\2 season or full season. There will be those who looked very foolish when urging SO'D to go back to Bournemouth and may look foolish again by being premature with that judgement.

Although early days, it strikes me that DM will do his very best to coach the players into the system before going down the route of trading his way out of the problem if it's not succeeding.

I'm sure he knows by now where we need to improve and he will address it one way or another.

For the moment, I think he's attempting to show belief in the players in the hope that faith is repaid with the players performing for him. It may work for some players but not others. He knows that.

[steve@dcfd]

Perhaps Marquis needs to be dropped then. Boococks chance. No one is bigger than the club

They are a different type of player. Boocock is not a hold centre forward he is of no size he needs to play along side aplayer of Johns stature he can score at U 18 level started to score U 23 but is he ready for league 1. He hasn’t been any where near the preseason friendlies he not started or even finished. Therefore DM has not made that decision yet.

[dickos1]

At least we've had a couple of balanced reports, so thanks lads for that.

Taking into account it's a pre-season friendly and we were missing Whiteman who generally makes us tick, you kinda know you're not going to see a rip roaring performance, especially in this heat, albeit same for both teams.

My understanding is DM is favouring a 4 2 3 1 system. Now I wasn't there to see if they attempted to play that system, but if it's a change to last season it will take some adjusting, whether that be DM coaching the system and/or acquiring players that can play the system however long it takes.

Some will say we don't have the time. We'll, we do, even if that means a transition 1\2 season or full season. There will be those who looked very foolish when urging SO'D to go back to Bournemouth and may look foolish again by being premature with that judgement.

Although early days, it strikes me that DM will do his very best to coach the players into the system before going down the route of trading his way out of the problem if it's not succeeding.

I'm sure he knows by now where we need to improve and he will address it one way or another.

For the moment, I think he's attempting to show belief in the players in the hope that faith is repaid with the players performing for him. It may work for some players but not others. He knows that.

Last season we played a 4-3-3 but with whiteman holding so more of a 4-1-2-3.
The formation you mention is a much more defensive formation as it requires two holding midfielders therefore leaving fewer attack minded players on the pitch.
I do think this was a reason why we were so deep today

[South East Rover]

Gomes stud out for me could be a good find

[NewDonny]

The problem for me was he was massively isolated, our midfield was so deep it was frightening, sadlier and copps were always 10-15 yards deeper than him, which lead to hardly any interplay in the final 3rd.
The two flicks to play people through in the first half from marquis were quality as was the cross but there was nobody on the end of it.

I’m a fan of sadlier but felt he was very poor tonight, constantly gave the ball away.
Also Blair can’t be playing as a holding midfielder may aswell put him in goal

Not sure I saw Sadlier give the ball away much atall. Crosses got blocked, shots were blocked yes but at least he tried to take the game to `HTFC, Madger and Blair gave the ball away, as did Copps. But then again that's what pre season friendlies are all about, I could hear the dugout telling Sadlier to take them on, get at them all night and tbh I can see why as he had the beating of his player all night. Marquis is the reason why there is a gap, thats not down to Copps and Sadlier, its down to all there of them to ensure they are working as a unit but Marquis is just simply not interested, doesn't want to be at the club and was not tuned into the game tonight or at the weekend.

We will have to disagree,
Sadlier gave the ball away for their first goal, copps was constantly telling him to calm down and keep the ball.
Marquis was pressing and closing people down and on numerous occasions he looked around and our nearest player was 15 yards behind him. That’s not his fault, that’s the team as a whole being far too deep

Again we will have to disagree, are you sure it was Sadlier that gave the ball away before their goal, check again! their attack came down the left hand side, Sadlier was across on the right and they went from one end of the pitch to the other unopposed before scoring. All I could see was Sadlier & Copps telling everyone to calm down, not Copps to Sadlier. As regards Marquis, sorry you won't sway me I am afraid, I rate him, not the most elegant to watch but effective and bloody hard to play against,  last season no one could criticise his effort every game, to be honest some of the balls he chased down were lost causes but he ran himself into the ground game after game, but this pre season he has been just on another planet.

[dknward2]

Need to score goals to win games and only having 1 up front is shit, what we are really doing is leaving 6 back plus a keeper.

John needs someone along side him. 1 upfront in league 1 won't work unless the midfield 3 are full of pace and control and take a man on. We don't have that.

[dickos1]

Yes it may not have been the goal actually, there was an occasion when he cut inside from the right trying to do too much and lost the ball, I think they must have almost scored and it went for a corner, copps came straight over to him and told him to calm down.
On a scale looking at everyone tonight I don’t think you can say marquis was awful, he created two good chances with those excellent flicks he produced a great cross with his left foot but there was nobody there.
Also marquis has never been any good in ore season particularly so I don’t think you can use it’s because he doesn’t want to be here

[NewDonny]

Yes it may not have been the goal actually, there was an occasion when he cut inside from the right trying to do too much and lost the ball, I think they must have almost scored and it went for a corner, copps came straight over to him and told him to calm down.
On a scale looking at everyone tonight I don’t think you can say marquis was awful, he created two good chances with those excellent flicks he produced a great cross with his left foot but there was nobody there.
Also marquis has never been any good in ore season particularly so I don’t think you can use it’s because he doesn’t want to be here

It was Copps nonchalent back heel that gave the ball away for their goal, not Sadlier. Copps was actually encouraging him to drive straight at them and take them on, it was also Sadlier that teed up Copps excellent curling effort on goal rather than taking the shot on himself and a Sadlier's low cross into the box that Marquis should have converted.

The problem with Marquis at the moment is he doesn't look like he knows what he's going to do next so god help the players playing around him lol.

[dickos1]

As I said earlier football is about opinions and I thought tonight sadlier was poor and I though marquis was decent.
You can disagree that’s fine

[phil old leake]

I couldn’t get to the game v Huddersfield. Am I right in thinking we only used 1 sub
If that’s the case are we supposing this is our starting 11 with Whiteman coming in somewhere
I thought that per season was about looking at players
Maybe we are in deeper trouble than we think if he’s not looking to look at his bench

[NewDonny]

As I said earlier football is about opinions and I thought tonight sadlier was poor and I though marquis was decent.
You can disagree that’s fine

I have just used your logic in replying giving you 2-3 instances of a good number of excellent pieces of play from Sadlier just as you did to me about Marquis. Well one of us needs to go to the opticians tomorrow, but then again I take comfort from the fact that I was one of a good number moaning about Marquis's contribution tonight and applauding passages of play and effort from Sadlier - don't get me wrong, still not one of his best games, but far from poor tonight and mark my words, he will improve as the season gets going and he will be a big player for us this season and lets be honest your observations aren't neccersarily reliable anyway as only a few minutes ago you were posting it was Sadlier that gave the ball away that led to their goal yet now when challenged agree you got that wrong as it was Copps that gave the ball away.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

It's not the first time Marquis has shown frustration or impatience is it, also in pre-season. The very first friendly I saw him play, he was running around, closing down then looking behind to see no other player bothering, so it looked like he thought why should I. So do we now label that same frustration being down to him not wanting to be here? I'm not so sure as he can appear to be a miserable SOB even when scoring goals!

[steve@dcfd]

As I said earlier football is about opinions and I thought tonight sadlier was poor and I though marquis was decent.
You can disagree that’s fine

I have just used your logic in replying giving you 2-3 instances of a good number of excellent pieces of play from Sadlier just as you did to me about Marquis. Well one of us needs to go to the opticians tomorrow, but then again I take comfort from the fact that I was one of a good number moaning about Marquis's contribution tonight and applauding passages of play and effort from Sadlier - don't get me wrong, still not one of his best games, but far from poor tonight and mark my words, he will improve as the season gets going and he will be a big player for us this season and lets be honest your observations aren't neccersarily reliable anyway as only a few minutes ago you were posting it was Sadlier that gave the ball away that led to their goal yet now when challenged agree you got that wrong as it was Copps that gave the ball away.

I will say this if DM gets the players he wants then Sadlier will not be starting many games and Copps contribution will decrease. The three behind the striker need to be better players whether we get them I not sure.

[NewDonny]

As I said earlier football is about opinions and I thought tonight sadlier was poor and I though marquis was decent.
You can disagree that’s fine

I have just used your logic in replying giving you 2-3 instances of a good number of excellent pieces of play from Sadlier just as you did to me about Marquis. Well one of us needs to go to the opticians tomorrow, but then again I take comfort from the fact that I was one of a good number moaning about Marquis's contribution tonight and applauding passages of play and effort from Sadlier - don't get me wrong, still not one of his best games, but far from poor tonight and mark my words, he will improve as the season gets going and he will be a big player for us this season and lets be honest your observations aren't neccersarily reliable anyway as only a few minutes ago you were posting it was Sadlier that gave the ball away that led to their goal yet now when challenged agree you got that wrong as it was Copps that gave the ball away.

I will say this if DM gets the players he wants then Sadlier will not be starting many games and Copps contribution will decrease. The three behind the striker need to be better players whether we get them I not sure.

Well see won't we but then again you didn't like Sadlier last season either.

[steve@dcfd]

Like is wrong word. I believe he’s not good enough to play consistently in a top end league one side. He does not have the pace to beat players or the skill level. But if he proves me wrong I will say so.

[NewDonny]

Like is wrong word. I believe he’s not good enough to play consistently in a top end league one side. He does not have the pace to beat players or the skill level. But if he proves me wrong I will say so.

Absolute rubbish, he came to us having played a whole season in ireland and was used sparingly to avoid complete burn out, by the end of last season he was out on his feet desperately needing a long earned rest after almost 15 months continuous football. He scored 3 great goals in a handful of league one appearances as well as creating opportunities for others paying some exciting direct stuff as well as showing he was prepared to track back and do the hard graft as well. He is not rapid agreed but he's no slouch across the ground either but he is two footed, has quick feet and can pick a pass and score goals. His link up play was also excellent and I know for a fact that he is respected by the rest of the players at the club as being technically excellent and highly thought of. As fans we think we know what we are talking about but the real experts are the players and management as they see each othe daily, your and my opinions don't matter.

I repeat, Sadlier will be a very big player for us this year irrespective of what you, I or any other DRFC fan think. The feeling amongst his colleagues and management is that he has everything to play at the highest level. I suggest you and I give him this full season, now fit  and fresh to show us what he can really do with a few 90 minute games under his belt.

[roversdude]

I thought Sadlier was excellent last night. JM started brightly and turned his marker a few times to set up other players. Gomes played decent not too sure about MOM though. Sheaf did well and can obviously slot into CB if needed. Halliday seemed to be getting beaten for pace but made up with positional play, neither him nor James showed much going forward.
Matty played well looks to have bulked up a bit, in fact with his new hair cut looked like Tommy Rowe.
Although not the first team credit to Huddersfield - they were well drilled, had pace throughout and obviously took the game seriously. Their centre half was the best player on the pitch in my opinion

[ZiggerZagger]

Looking forward to Sheaf n Ben playing that holding roll in front of the back four. Time for Marquis to move on I'm afraid, looks like theres things going off behind the scenes with him and some other players after last nights performance. He does the running down but kept looking round for support, never there, its like they wasn't bothered. Yet when Sadlier did it, the players seemed to back him up. I shall keep my eye on that on Saturday if hes still here. Personally, I think Sadlier is going to be the one to watch next season, as with the new left back Reece James. Some brilliant over lapping, and can cross a ball too. Gomes, for me, gave the ball away far to easily, it seemed ever time he went to pass forward he didn't find his man. He's ok at getting his pass rate up by running all over to collect the ball, but, passing sideways and backwards is not what hes there for. The thing what stood out for me though, was our bench. Yes it was a pre season game, but, we dont seem to have any depth in the squad at all. Be interesting to see if some other players get a run out on Saturday as I thought making only one sub yesterday was strange. Especially as the game was over after another shit ref sent off Joe for two good tackles, yet their No.7 should of been given a straight red. A good work out for the boys, they were far faster, fitter, stronger, and that was only their 2nd string. Worth putting a couple of quid on them finishing in the top 6.
Upwards n onwards, expecting a very good gate on Saturday,
make sure your early as the snake is back in town. Hope they open up a turnstile after yesterdays disaster.

[NickDRFC]

Like is wrong word. I believe he’s not good enough to play consistently in a top end league one side. He does not have the pace to beat players or the skill level. But if he proves me wrong I will say so.

Absolute rubbish, he came to us having played a whole season in ireland and was used sparingly to avoid complete burn out, by the end of last season he was out on his feet desperately needing a long earned rest after almost 15 months continuous football. He scored 3 great goals in a handful of league one appearances as well as creating opportunities for others paying some exciting direct stuff as well as showing he was prepared to track back and do the hard graft as well. He is not rapid agreed but he's no slouch across the ground either but he is two footed, has quick feet and can pick a pass and score goals. His link up play was also excellent and I know for a fact that he is respected by the rest of the players at the club as being technically excellent and highly thought of. As fans we think we know what we are talking about but the real experts are the players and management as they see each othe daily, your and my opinions don't matter.

I repeat, Sadlier will be a very big player for us this year irrespective of what you, I or any other DRFC fan think. The feeling amongst his colleagues and management is that he has everything to play at the highest level. I suggest you and I give him this full season, now fit  and fresh to show us what he can really do with a few 90 minute games under his belt.

I think Sadlier could and hopefully will have a big year for us but I don’t believe that “colleagues and management has everything to play at the highest level” - do you really think they all think he is destined for the PL & Champions League, and international honours?

[DonnyOsmond]

Like is wrong word. I believe he’s not good enough to play consistently in a top end league one side. He does not have the pace to beat players or the skill level. But if he proves me wrong I will say so.

Absolute rubbish, he came to us having played a whole season in ireland and was used sparingly to avoid complete burn out, by the end of last season he was out on his feet desperately needing a long earned rest after almost 15 months continuous football. He scored 3 great goals in a handful of league one appearances as well as creating opportunities for others paying some exciting direct stuff as well as showing he was prepared to track back and do the hard graft as well. He is not rapid agreed but he's no slouch across the ground either but he is two footed, has quick feet and can pick a pass and score goals. His link up play was also excellent and I know for a fact that he is respected by the rest of the players at the club as being technically excellent and highly thought of. As fans we think we know what we are talking about but the real experts are the players and management as they see each othe daily, your and my opinions don't matter.

I repeat, Sadlier will be a very big player for us this year irrespective of what you, I or any other DRFC fan think. The feeling amongst his colleagues and management is that he has everything to play at the highest level. I suggest you and I give him this full season, now fit  and fresh to show us what he can really do with a few 90 minute games under his belt.

I think Sadlier could and hopefully will have a big year for us but I don’t believe that “colleagues and management has everything to play at the highest level” - do you really think they all think he is destined for the PL & Champions League, and international honours?

He's eligible for ROI so you never know

[DonnyBazR0ver]

All formations have their pros and cons and by nature of one up top your centre forward can get isolated however there's no excuse if the 2 provide an ample foundation for the 3 to get into advanced positions supported by the full backs. The middle 3 have got to be dynamic, interchange and find the space and be prepared to get into the box and sometimes beyond the front man. Sadlier can do it. We know Wilkes could do it. We know Alfie May wants to do it and we know Blair and Crawford will try. I'm damn sure Whiteman can do it, if he's released further forward. It maybe stating the obvious but, it's chances created and goals that count.

I'm sure DM will keep working on it.

[Jonathan]

I think Sadlier has great potential to be a big contributor but agree that he’s not a Wilks replacement. He doesn’t have the out and out pace to offer that out wide. Sadlier needs to be getting on the ball more centrally in sight of goal as his striking of the ball offers such a threat.

I also think it would be daft to be writing off the level of contribution that Coppinger will make over the season. We are not limited by one formation as Darren Moore made clear at the meeting the other night. But it’s very obvious that we do need to add some pace and physicality to complement what we have in the final third. The need for that is quite desperate in my opinion. 

[godlike1]

I think Sadlier has great potential to be a big contributor but agree that he’s not a Wilks replacement. He doesn’t have the out and out pace to offer that out wide. Sadlier needs to be getting on the ball more centrally in sight of goal as his striking of the ball offers such a threat.

I also think it would be daft to be writing off the level of contribution that Coppinger will make over the season. We are not limited by one formation as Darren Moore made clear at the meeting the other night. But it’s very obvious that we do need to add some pace and physicality to complement what we have in the final third. The need for that is quite desperate in my opinion. 

When will this happen though? I know DM has said he won't panic buy which is fair enough but he does realise that there is a point at which he can't bring anyone in doesn't he?

I cannot see many clubs wanting to let their better players go now (other than us with JM) so are we just going to get a couple of loans and squad players?

Something is better than nothing at this point I guess but I can't say I'm getting excited about this season

[selby]

  Both full backs an improvement on last season for me, Lawlor still gets stuck on his line, for a big lad he does not control his area, central defence we know are decent and could get better as they play more games.
   Midfield, we need Whiteman and Crawford plus bring in better than Blair and Gomez. Blairs first touch and Passing ability is not good enough, nor his tackling ability, we keep trying to find him a position when he is a winger, the other lad plays the short ball easy option, has got into four good shooting positions in the friendlies in the oppositions box, and on three occasions has looked to pass when well placed to shoot, and last night completely panicked from twelve yards with only the keeper to beat, no confidence at all.Probably one to work on, but not a player I see taking the game by the scruff of the neck and dominating the game.
  When Marquis drops into midfield he opens the game up and plays more telling passes than those two.
  The lad from Arsenal is a marked improvement and is the standard we need to be bringing in.
  Of the players we have at the moment Whiteman, the lad from Arsenal, holding with Coppinger and Crawford linking would be my pick, all four having a touch of flair, and capable of bringing other players into the game, and giving a pass forward.
  Up front Marquis and Sadlier are the only two I can see who would score on something like a regular basis at our level, Blair could come on in a more attacking area wide up front.
  That leaves me with wanting to bring in three/four better than we have  players to compete with them for  a starting place, definitely up front and in midfield, and hopefully our second string play at a better level to get some of our youngsters up to a better level and ready for first team football.