Watched the game last night after the frustrating afternoon time difference.
The result aside, which doesn't matter at all in exhibition kick arounds, al- in-all, an enjoyable and good first run-out.
36 players used (Side note- Is that a record for one team in a friendly?
) ..... No injuries ..... Some great showings from kids doing themselves no harm at all ..... Some real hard work into the legs in oppressive conditions ..... Post hit 3 times and countless other excellent chances created that on another day, further into pre-season when sharpness and rhythm is there, would have been taken. Just outdone the other end with individual errors. Which considering the majority only returned on this tour and have had a handful of sessions, is to be expected early doors.
As anticipated, after it worked so well early last pre-season to slowly build fitness back up, bar the goalies playing a half each, three completely different sides in 30 minute periods where you go flat out with everything you have. I really like that concept rather than players becoming goosed at the end of the half/ into the second and games petering out into bore fest's late on.
From the first group, only Phillips had a poor outing. Which is frustrating as every bit of game time is an important shop window for him. With Oxo-Chambo in the same shop window doing his rep. no harm. Great showing form the youth. Carvalho, Elliott and Morton in particular. Mbaya really good going forward too. Bad mistake for the opener but lest we forget he's just 17. And a natural midfielder still learning a fullback role he's transitioned really nicely into over the last season or so.
Pretty much total domination without scoring, with two messy mistakes leading to being 2 down against the run of play.
The 2nd group was a mess with more defensive mistakes. Only Curtis really did his cause no harm.
And then the third group returned to more or less complete domination for the last half hour with some great chances and Mo hitting the post. Adrián had next to nothing to do all half bar picking the ball out of the net after a break when Ibou lost possession and the middle was open for the counter.
A story of individual mistakes and missed chances that on another day reaps 4 or more goals .(I think the xG was 1.7- 1.5 in a 4-0 loss.).
More positives than negatives with the key objective of intense work into the legs ticked off after the earlier morning and afternoon work.
Roll on Friday and the third intense, extended training session of that day against Palace in Singapore.
After not feeling like I ever wanted to again after the trauma of Paris (And roll on the French Senates findings this morning and expected exoneration. If not a legacy biding one), it's great to watch the Reds play games of football again.
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