Friendly MDT - Reds vs Rams

What was the final score

 

Couldn't care less about the result, glad we won but it doesn't matter. I'm absolutely over the moon with that performance. Fluid in all three thirds with the ball, runners everywhere, even Russell which was really nice to see.

A crying shame about Jalo, hopefully he's going to be ok as he looked really lively. Craig, wow. Lofthouse came on and looked really assured too.

Can we also get a bit of praise for Barry Cotter? I've said for ages that there's a player there and he seems to be playing with that bit of confidence and looks for all the world a solid L1 player against higher opposition.

Slight negative, we're still very open at the back, but that'll come the more they play together, and Killip needs a loan away from the Club.

Very good evenings work, glad I paid my fiver to watch it.

COYR

 

4-3 to us.

 

Very impressed by Craig. He looks a yard quicker than everyone else in possession.

 

My bad, was going off Barnsley twitter for that last one which they got wrong initially.

 

Great performance. Really enjoyed that. Second half was brilliant. Hope Jalo is o.k. Our youngsters finished the game well. Impressed with Russell, Phillips and Craig. Jalo, Lofthouse and Marsh added another dimension.

Something for Clarke to ponder in a good way. Maybe our 1-11 isn't as cut and dried as we though previously.

 

Still, two assists and being the engine room of the midfield is a big plus in my mind. Only question now is who do we leave out for him...

 

So does that mean Craig plays instead of Hourihane or Connell?

 

Craig's delivery is exceptional, take nothing away from our performance in a crazy game but Derby look like they are in for a tough season

 

Very entertaining game which was a far cry from the dross we were watching last season, hope Jalo's ok and thought he was outstanding for the time he was on.

 

Enjoyable watch and wetted the appetite for next Friday. The head coach has some difficult decisions to make regarding the starting 11 which is a good sign.

 

I’d be tempted to play Phillips off Cosgrove in a similar way to how we utilised McAtee which would then allow us to get the most out of the midfield which is arguably the best in the division.

 

Worrying to let in three against a team Chesterfield kept a clean sheet against.

 

I can see Craig playing in front of Connell me. He’s a better player.

 

Strange game even for a friendly but probably left Clarke with more questions than answers and we clearly are a work in progress but there’s clearly plenty of potential to work with it’s the old problem of teams getting in way to easily down the sides with our lack of pace.

 

My personal opinion.
Plenty of positives. We looked a lot more positive going forward with more creativity and pace than before. I really want watters to be good enough but I just can't see it. He isn't a target man, he isn't a hold up player to feet, he isn't a pace in behind striker. I almost feel like he's a professional footballer in the wrong position.
I thought hourihane is the difference we need, for 30 minutes, genuinely think thats all he has to offer at the moment. Phillips was class.
Really liked the look of Lofthouse.
Would have liked to have seen the ball to Jalo's feet more before he went off Injured.
Liked the new keeper.
Sorry about the essay.
Best regards
John

 

For a friendly, I thought it was quite decent. There's still some issues defence-wise, but we looked impressive going forward. Craig was good when he came on and I'll also give special mentions to Jalo, Cotter, Lofthouse & Phillips.

 

Would have really liked to have seen Lofthouse at right wing back second half. Will be interesting to see who Clarke goes with.

 

Worked out alrate

 

As others have said a really enjoyable watch that, on my laptop. Praise for the broadcast because once I had switched from my older PC to the new laptop the picture was perfect with no buffering. Then I could REALLY enjoy the match! It must have been great for those at Oakwell as well because there was some seriously good football played by the Reds there. Obviously there are defensive problems still, especially between the sticks, but it can all come good with time and an addition or two. Pines will hopefully make a big difference but let's not put too much on his shoulders yet.

The midfield engine room looked good in both halves but I was mystified why we ignored our dead ball specialist apart from one single corner near the end of the first half. I like Luca Connell but he can't land a ball like CH can. We all know that and surely the manager will know that. I'd give Conor the armband as well if there was a chance of him playing every game, but I suppose that's not in the plan. I'm so glad we have got Matty Craig - on that display he looks like Player of the Season material even before the season has started! Cotter, Lofthouse and the rest looked good going forward but the only really outstanding bits of defending came from Marc Roberts so he's obviously still got it.

Up front the twin spearhead (cough cough) were pretty anonymous so there is work to do there. Jalo looked sensational until he was taken out by Cashin. The close up from behind the line showed the defender playing our man and not getting near the ball, causing a hard knock on the ground on Fabio's shoulder. I'm not sure it was a penalty but some refs would have given it and I really hope the lad is ok. It would be a terrible blow for him if he's out for some time.

So, all in all, the best friendly performance for many a year and how nice to send the DORBY lads home grumbling when they were singing as if they had suddenly acquired Premier League status. I can see them struggling in the Championship with that team. Oh, I nearly forgot - what would it take to tempt James Collins away from them? He's just the kind of striker I would love to see at Oakwell. So, onwards and upwards with another midlands outfit coming a week on Friday. If we play like that it should be an opening day win for the All Reds