Report on today's friendly

I've just got home from Stalybridge after a very pleasant afternoon out. I notice that the Official site have already posted theirs so I will try to fill in the blanks, from my own observations kind of thing.

I've not been over the Pennines on the M62 for years and it was odd to see that, this being July, there was fog (or low cloud) on the Saddleworth Moor hilltops. It didn't affect the drive though and, curiously, on the way back there were 50mph warning signs there because of strong winds. Summer eh! But none of that matters of course because we have football back. The proper stuff, not that synthetic effort as displayed by England a couple of weeks ago.

I parked in the club/sports centre car park right next to the ground (only £1 by the way!) and made my way into what is a very tidy little ground considering the level they play at. There were red shirts everywhere, inside the ground and out, so it was obvious that we had a decent following. In fact we were on three sides of the ground so there can't have been many home fans present. Well, it's ONLY Barnsley (they probably thought). Had a few more come out they would have been treated to a pretty decent display from both of our teams. The ten outfield players that started were completely replaced at half time, Nick Townsend playing the whole game. He didn't have a huge amount to do but did it without too many alarms.

On balance I would say the second half lads played better, but maybe Stalybridge had their second eleven on the pitch - they were wearing the away strip so I presume it was a new set of players. Nevertheless the way we tore into them in the second half was much better than the efforts of the first.

In that first 45 mins SSW got whacked (three times I think), had several goes at the referee and more or less went quiet for the rest of the half. Josh Scowen, from central midfield, launched a couple of long range shots which went well over. Henry, the trialist from Bradford, looked lively but seemed to have no end product - maybe it will come. The regular defence looked solid but both centre halves were guilty of over hitting long balls which went harmlessly into touch. If they could get that right we would have a good attacking threat there. Marley looked off the pace to me and needs more game time to get back to where he was.

The two standouts though were, not surprisingly, Lee and Moncur. They seemed to have a good understanding and I predict great things from these two as the season goes on. Lee had a couple of great efforts at goal while Moncur was absolutely everywhere. Be interesting to see how he and Conor work together in central midfield.

As the second half got underway all the players who had made way came and sat in the stand, most of them on my row. Here they are, if it works (Edit - sorry, I can't get it to show the right way up!)



Impressive performances from Payne and Jackson plus, naturally, Hammill who scored a cracking penalty (high and hard) and made one for Cowgill with a lovely cross which Jack converted with his head, and with some style. Payne reminded me in parts of COG with his build and his play. It's a big step up for lads like him, but he looked promising. Conor Hourihane got himself in bother for having a go at the referee following a foul not given - he needs to cut that out I think. Let his feet do the talking is always the best way. Yiadom put in a good shift at right back as well and is obvious competition for James Bree.

In the end it was a good game to watch from start to finish and I am glad that I made the late decision to go. What else are Saturday afternoons for?

 

Forgot one more thing:

At the end I asked James Bree, who was sitting next to me in the second half, if he thought it would be a similar squad on Tuesday at Guiseley and he said yes, as far as he knew it would be. So it will be the first team squad there and an academy team the following night at Frickley presumably?

Only just down the road for me so I have to go to that one again! Isn't it great looking forward to a new season...

 

Kids will play at Frickley, Penistone and Rec. others be first team.

 

Thanks for that!!! Game on!!!

 

I don't think Bree as the pace to play FB in the championship ... it ill be Yiadom position all day long... we've chased him for long enough..

 

Full back second half only. With Jackson ahead of him

 

Think Bree is an amazing talent. He had a dip last year for a couple of games but which 18 year old wouldn't. But majority of the game looked rock solid at back, quality on the ball and good going forward.

His natural position is centre mid, so he will take a couple of years to really learn fullback.

 

Appreciate the write-up, Prince. I'll be at Nethermoor on Tuesday eve so I might bump into you. Be good to say hello.

#YouReds

 

He worked hard and didn't put a foot wrong as far as I could tell (me being on the opposite side of the pitch).

We should never read much into pre-season friendlies. It was good to watch today though and there was plenty of applause round the ground.

 

I'll look out for you

 

Good report, agreed with that. Nice little ground and a pleasant afternoon. Payne and Jackson showed a lot of promise. I think Yiadom will be the first choice right back.

 

Cheers for that. I didn't go this year, mainly due to the weather forecast. Anything of note to say about Callum Evans?

 

Went today, really enjoyed it. First of all, what a great set up at Stalybridge. They have a ground that wouldn't look at all out of place in the Conference and is no worse really than a few League 2 grounds. I'm not at all clued up on their attendances, but with so few home fans there today, I'm assuming they rarely get the crowds that Bower Fold could easily accomodate.

The match was obviously all about fitness and getting the lads back up to speed. Therefore I'm not making serious judgements on how people looked or performed, just a few observations. I thought we played alright first half but struggled to break through a pretty aggressive Stalybridge side. Josh Scowen looked a class above and showed why he has to be played in the midfield. Lee and Moncur both looked very useful, with the standard of opposition noted, they looked dangerous, positive and creative. Sam Winnall had a frustrating day, he and Marley will certainly need help this season. The lad Henry looked eager and fast but no end product. Harsh to write him off just yet but he struggled to beat their full back on more than one occasion. Defence pretty solid throughout without much testing.

The second half was better. Hammill was Hammill, always a threat. Hourihane was head and shoulders above everyone for me. Led by example and constantly organised the younger lads. Kayden Jackson looked good, very quick but struggled with end product. Payne looks a handful and played very well, Tuton worked tirelessly and Cowgill was commanding at the back. We played good football and could have had about five. My worry though is that for all the nice build up play, none of the young lads looked that confident in front of goal. Whilst they looked decent today, I struggle to see them stepping up to Championship standard, but who knows, here's hoping.

Someone asked about Yiadom above. He looked good. Not as quick as I imagined but he supported the attack well and looked positionally sound. Looks to have a good head on him as well, helped organise them around him.

Nice turnout from the Reds fans, good banter to be had and overall a great place to have a pre-season friendly.

 

Neat, tidy, did his job well

 

Really. Of all the things youcould say you picked out Bree's pace.

He's one of the fastest players in the team.

 

Yes. He played CM his whole life but has been played at RB for first team as that was the position we needed cover in.

Like Steven Gerrard broke into liverpools team at RB.

Players take time to learn a position

 

I agree with pretty much all of the reports above. I would only add that I thought Charlie Harris had a very good 2nd half. Reminds me a bit of Brownhill