A triallist on the bench?

Anyone on here who went yesterday. If so, any chance of a match summary?

 

Very good workout (looked much fitter than in the worksop game) . We (all the players) really chased em down when they had the Ball. Thomas probably the pick of bunch for me. We created many chances that went begging. Cole and Iseka and 1 or 2 others probably tried too hard to get in a better position to shoot due to defenders closing em down or were just wide of the goals.
Don't know who the lad was in the last 15 minutes that should have given us the winner. But open goal at his mercy. Tried to position himself I dont know why. (I could have knocked it in with my backside he had that long) And defender came across and blocked his shot.
I don't think they had a shot first half. But came more into it when we changed all the players. As for the goalkeepers for us. Just another day at the office. Very little troubled em especially Walton first half. I reckon he could have sat in the stand.
The trialist looked ok couple of decent runs but really wasn't given much of the ball in the time he was on, to shine.
I did like the look of their left back.

Not up to Bossmans standard I know. But I'm not an ace reporter.

 

We've had enough forwards go missing in games.

Sorry to hijack the thread.

 

To be fair to the lad, he played 12 times for Livingston, but only started 2 of these, being subbed off in both at 60 and 74mins. Of the 10 off the bench appearances 2 of those he came on at 90mins. In total he played 277mins, which is the equivalent of is 3 full games and 7mins of another. It’s not like he didn’t score in 12 full games.


With 7 in 12 in the Dutch 2nd tier, his age and his football education, I can see why the spreadsheet model highlighted him.

 

I'm not sure that being unable to get into the team is such a great defence. He couldn't have stolen the money your honour, he's ***king useless.

 

Maybe, I don’t know what the situation was at Livingston, he may have been brought in as third choice/back up to their main strikers, or maybe he was supposed to go straight into the team, but if that’s the case they didn’t really give him a chance, he was used as a sub from the get go.

I just think the no goals in 12 isn’t a stat to look too much into. When his goal record in the Netherlands and at international level is decent. Not saying he’s the answer to all our problems, but could be worth having as a squad player and then see where it goes

 

From the highlights, it was Tomas Kalinauskas who missed the chance after rounding the keeper. To be fair, I think the defender recovered well to get a block in.

 

When you drill it down like that, it doesn't look as bad.

 

Great defending mate. Shocking that he got there in time though.

 

We need at least one of the two strikers we bring in to have decent experience and hopefully goals at Div one level

 

Exactly this. Unlikely though…

 

Would be asking for trouble if we just bring a couple of strikers in who might have potential at this level. Last summer was a disaster for recruiting strikers and we can’t afford to get it wrong again.

 

I tend to agree, I’d feel better if the next stricker we sign had scored 15+ goals in say League 2, but it’s not the be all and end all, what’s important is that they go on to score 15+ for us. Woodrow and Morris both had low scoring records before signing and they turned out all right. (I’m sure Moore and Winnall had scored plenty in L1 and L2 before we signed them).

The trouble is we are skint and these types of players cost, I hope we can afford to spend some of the money made from selling, 400k for instance is around the amount we spent on some of those former strikers, but the debt situation might not allow that. An Ashley Fletcher type loan would do me if that’s the case.

 

I tried to do a bit of digging about him last night and a fair few so rate him. Not sure what went on with the Livingston loan, clearly didn't work at all but his other loan in Holland was a big success. His time with the national team has also been good too across all levels.

Was speaking to a Norwich fan that a mate of mine from Twitter put me in touch with and he was pretty complimentary around him. Can share the Twitter thread for people to look through if anyone is interested.

 

I thought we did ok. Very much in top on first half, not many clear cut chances but looked decent on the ball.

The back 3 of Mads, Cundy and Kitch were excellent, Crewe didn’t get a sniff. Cundy looks like for like for Helik when he goes. Played in the centre, won his headers and tackles and looked after their target man with ease.

Luca Connell playing at the base was great. Tackles, launches counters, excellent passer. Really looking forward to seeing more of him.

Herbie Kane looked good, Luke Thomas was the other centre mid, not sure this system is for him and hard to see where fits in going forward. However he looked fit and his pressing, blocking and tackling was great, certainly no lack of effort.

We’re busting for wing backs and strikers. Coke and ALI just don’t seem to have any chemistry with each other or the other lads. Maybe it will come but I’m not convinced.

Brittain did his usual. Thinks he’s Cafu and over plays himself into trouble. Styles looked uninterested and was pulled at half time.

If the subs I thought Sraha looked decent and Aitcheson and Soto look to have something about them, but suffered from a lack of quality service. Would love to see Soto with Kane and Connell on the pitch as I think there’s something there for sure.

Overall a lack of depth but I’m sure our new coaching team are looking to make something happen. On another note I was impressed with Martin Paterson on the touch line. Very vocal, but calm, clear instructions, and I felt he got a response from most.

 

I read he got Covid at the same time he moved to Livingston, would explain why he didn’t hit the ground running there.

 

Ah that could explain a lot then tbf. We know about that all too well with Benson last season.

The interview is fairly interesting too within the thread if you have 25 mins to kill. He comes across well and seems an intelligent kid. Well so I thought anyway.

 

https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...-soto-barnsley-trial-appearance-usmnt-9134246

 

In my opinion a short term deal would be a good move for both parties