Scouseinthehouse
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2015
- Messages
- 22,494
- Reaction score
- 5,220
- Points
- 113
Just got through watching the last game of this very beneficial week in Thailand and Singapore.
So, with the usual caveat of it being pre-season, and results/ performances not mattering a jot, on top of the actual game being their third, intense training session of the day in oppressive conditions, a few observations-
Another very positive exercise with the intensity naturally upped again from the first game against Utd. You could see the clear progression from another 3 days training under their belts. Things looked a lot more cohesive and sharper. The press was far more coordinated and the patterns of play we know so well are steadily returning as they pretty much controlled the exercise from start to finish in a very composed, organised run-out at this stage. It's fun to watch the progression in games with absolutely nothing on them as things gradually step up a level each game. This time with 11 players getting a full half. Then another 11 another good, intense 32 minutes before the game petered out when the kids arrived for the last 13 minutes.
The only real downside was Oxo-Chambo continuing his rotten luck with a hammy. Which isn't helpful when we're trying to showcase him to suiters. *Sighs.
As much as players can catch the eye in these circumstances, I'd shout out Harvey again in the first half. He's putting down a real case, just like last pre-season, to start on the right of the midfield. The assist was just a bonus (super sweet strike from the evergreen captain BTW) to another heavily involved and productive 45. And it was great to see Bobby back doing Bobby things and being involved in everything. Proper menace that lad and the lack of International action allowing him to rest looks to have done him the World of good.
And in the main groups half hour or so in the second, it was great to see the progress Sep van den Berg has made through the last year and a half in the Championship. Doing everything right and tidy alongside the big man. Naby's pressing was insane. And there's quietly a really nice understanding developing between Darwin and Mo (loved seeing him with the armband late BTW) that showed flashes in the Utd game. Núñez presence there is going to create even more space for Salah and Díaz to do their thing. He's fitting in very well into the group just like Carvalho who was very bright again.
Shout out too for the two young goalies. Harvey Davies, who should be stepping up to the main 21's 'keeper with all the loans, particularly impressed with his distribution. And the young Pole Mrozek did everything he needed to do soundly to see out the clean sheet.
And a major shoutout to the Singapore Reds. Who have shown ridiculous support like the Thais did earlier in the week. To see that boss looking stadium 100% Red with over 50 thousand of them selling it out was a glorious sight from afar.
So there endeth, the frustrating injury's aside, a really good, beneficial tour from every standpoint in really oppressive conditions to work in. Thank you Thailand and Singapore for the brilliant hospitality and crazy mad support.
Now onto the Austrian camp which I'd imagine will be intense as fitness wise. With the tactical side more being nailed down in Evian before we get going for real with the CS curtain raiser and then Fulham.
So, with the usual caveat of it being pre-season, and results/ performances not mattering a jot, on top of the actual game being their third, intense training session of the day in oppressive conditions, a few observations-
Another very positive exercise with the intensity naturally upped again from the first game against Utd. You could see the clear progression from another 3 days training under their belts. Things looked a lot more cohesive and sharper. The press was far more coordinated and the patterns of play we know so well are steadily returning as they pretty much controlled the exercise from start to finish in a very composed, organised run-out at this stage. It's fun to watch the progression in games with absolutely nothing on them as things gradually step up a level each game. This time with 11 players getting a full half. Then another 11 another good, intense 32 minutes before the game petered out when the kids arrived for the last 13 minutes.
The only real downside was Oxo-Chambo continuing his rotten luck with a hammy. Which isn't helpful when we're trying to showcase him to suiters. *Sighs.
As much as players can catch the eye in these circumstances, I'd shout out Harvey again in the first half. He's putting down a real case, just like last pre-season, to start on the right of the midfield. The assist was just a bonus (super sweet strike from the evergreen captain BTW) to another heavily involved and productive 45. And it was great to see Bobby back doing Bobby things and being involved in everything. Proper menace that lad and the lack of International action allowing him to rest looks to have done him the World of good.
And in the main groups half hour or so in the second, it was great to see the progress Sep van den Berg has made through the last year and a half in the Championship. Doing everything right and tidy alongside the big man. Naby's pressing was insane. And there's quietly a really nice understanding developing between Darwin and Mo (loved seeing him with the armband late BTW) that showed flashes in the Utd game. Núñez presence there is going to create even more space for Salah and Díaz to do their thing. He's fitting in very well into the group just like Carvalho who was very bright again.
Shout out too for the two young goalies. Harvey Davies, who should be stepping up to the main 21's 'keeper with all the loans, particularly impressed with his distribution. And the young Pole Mrozek did everything he needed to do soundly to see out the clean sheet.
And a major shoutout to the Singapore Reds. Who have shown ridiculous support like the Thais did earlier in the week. To see that boss looking stadium 100% Red with over 50 thousand of them selling it out was a glorious sight from afar.
So there endeth, the frustrating injury's aside, a really good, beneficial tour from every standpoint in really oppressive conditions to work in. Thank you Thailand and Singapore for the brilliant hospitality and crazy mad support.
Now onto the Austrian camp which I'd imagine will be intense as fitness wise. With the tactical side more being nailed down in Evian before we get going for real with the CS curtain raiser and then Fulham.
Last edited:
), it's never a bad thing at all to maintain a healthy relationship with an operation that produces as much talent as that football group does.
