Today's thoughts/ratings...

Colgan - 6 - Did not inspire confidence, lack of communication with new defenders. Needs to shout and be more commanding, but we all knew that before.

Werling - 7 - Thought Roberto Carlos had turned up to be honest. Almost identical qualities without the free-kicks. Very quick, stocky, tough and a superb crosser. Unfortunately I don't think he's the defensive answer at left back. Too short - teams will stick a big man on him and he'll have no chance, and also he got beaten too easily at least twice. I'd be tempted to make him the third winger in the squad with the option of left back if Kozluk's out.

Atkinson - 5 - not a full back. End of. To be fair he only played there as Kozluk, Bruma and Hassell were all out so a bit unfair to say any more than that.

Nyatanga - 7.5 - amazing to think this lad's only 19. He reminds a bit of Mr De Zeeuw, so calm and collected and pretty dominant in the air. Can't understand why Billy Davies apparently doesn't rate him. Great to have him back. Superb header from McCann's corner too gave us something to cheer.

Souza - 7.5 - very similar to Nyatanga... made the odd slight error, got turned too easily once, but when you bear in mind he's in a new country playing with new players, he's got to be cut a bit of slack. He made some superb challenges and blocks and his distribution is very good. I'd like to see him up against Heskey on Tuesday but pretty sure I'd sign him, for a year at least.

Ricketts - 7.5 - would be an 8, but lacked a final product. Superb trickery, did well on both wings but especially the left. Couple of times he should have had a shot and tried to go round too many people, but he looks very very promising. Good signing.

Devaney - 6 - Not at the races at all. Didn't beat a man all game. Hope he gets in some form before Coventry. Substituted and rightly so.

Johnson - 6 - I'd prefer Togwell personally and suggest Johnno plays the odd game to give Toggers a rest. Some decent interceptions but his passing's average at best. He'll do a job but nothing more.

Howard - 8 - Captain and best player. Some sublime passing, especially a ball over the top for Mostto in the first half which was almost a brilliant goal. Good vision, hard working, Barnsley's gem.

Odejayi - 6 - Bloke behind me started having a go at him after about 20 minutes, I told him to stop moaning and give him a chance... To be fair he was poor today, beaten in the air a few times and kept giving the ball away, didn't show any sort of quality but no-one performs every game so we'll see how he does against Wigan.

Mostto - 6.5 - Needs to get more involved and seemed a bit scared of getting hurt, but you can see he has ability. Mis-hit his volley from Howard's great pass but the run he made was superb and it's not easy with the ball coming over your head. Tried an audacious lob from 45 yards which would have been brilliant had it been a couple of yards higher. Get the ball to his feet and play him through and I think he'll be good stuff.

SUBS

Ferenczi - 6.5 - Did a bit better than Kay but didn't have much effect. Didn't have much service to be fair and his late shot should have been turned in by Coulson. Hope he can find the form of his first dozen games for the club.

Togwell - 6.5 - Pretty anonymous but we were on the attack more whilst he was on the pitch so most things went through Howard and Ricketts. Made a couple of decent interceptions.

McCann - 7 - This lad has some class and I wish we could find a regular role for him. The problem is that he won't replace Howard and he's not a winger. Can he play alongside Howard? Hmmm not sure. Very useful player to have in the squad though.

Letheren - 6.5 - His kicking seems to have improved 10-fold since I saw him in pre-season last year. Didn't make any mistakes though didn't have mich to deal with other than backpasses. Couldn't do anything about the goal.

Coulson - 5.5 - Please sign a 4th striker Simon/Gordon. Coulson may have some promise but I don't think he'd get 10 goals in League Two playing every week at the moment. He actually looks like a schoolboy still and is shrugged off the ball too easily. Missed an open goal at the end when we were already celebrating a winner. I'm not trying to have a go, simply saying we need another forward, whether permanent or on loan. I'd loan Michael out.

Overall - not bad, not going to carried away with any pre-season games as all that matters is how we do against Cov on August 11.

 

mostly agree...but Souza for me

was excellent...not totaly perfect but as you say he is just in,new team, new players etc etc...I thought like you..well worth signing

 

Werling

comedy moment vs Buxton.

We get a free kick about halfway into their half. Werling lines it up. Takes a run up that is akin to the distance a 747 needs to take off. Hoofs it. Ball skims across the grass and goes out aout 15 yards wide of their goal.

Fantastic (worship)

 

season has not started , but already the critics begin

friendly , for gods sake get a life.

 

A bit harsh....

Are people not entitled to an opinion?

It is very early for people to make judgements, but surely you are allowed to give your initial impressions?

 

good report thank you

 

7 0ut of 11 get negative comments , friendly match

what a positive person....................
nothing new on here though.
What has happened to all the Davey haters ?
yes i use the word haters because the postings last season were full of hatred for him on here for a good 45% of postes.

 

Sorry?

Perhaps I should have given everyone 10 then.

For christ's sake I was telling people at the game to stop moaning, I'm nearly always Mr Positive about BFC. I tell it like it is - not sure what your problem is.

And my life's great thanks, I don't feel the need to moan at people for posting opinions.

 

Journo

was just being honest and any criticism he gave was constructive.....

Maybe some people have changed there minds..... Is that allowed? (chinny)

 

Time of the month?

What's the point in writing a report of the game if it's blinkered and using rose tinted glasses?

I've given my honest view on all the players which is what a number of people asked me to do.

Grow up.

 

My 'criticisms' will always be constructive...

I hate people just shouting 'he's crap gerrim off' etc etc.

My number one concern is BFC's success, so if a player isn't good enough yet in my opinion I'll mention it for the good of the team.

 

Glad to be of service mate

 

I couldn't agree more

Unfortunately there are plenty of others who just like to moan.... no matter what.

 

Well good on you

Thing is, whether you're positive, negative or somewhere inbetween, someone'll always moan.

 

Agree with most of that. Especially your MoM. Brian Howard really is turning into the player we have all been thinking he will be. He was good last season but I can see him being even better this season. People will be talking about him in the same sentence as Glavin, Redfearn and Hignett in years to come. Thats how highly I rate him. He can be a top player.