Real Betis v Burnley (pre-season friendly) Match thread

[Lancasterclaret]

Twine, Foster, Roberts, Beyer stood out

Trafford will learn from that

Hard to really draw any conclusions when the 2nd half was 10 v 10 though

New lad looks good

[daveisaclaret]

Loads to be positive about, especially Foster.

[Commy]

I think we will see Twine quite a lot this season. Premier League is made for him with the spaces he finds.

[RVclaret]

Pretty poor pitch to play zippy football on but decent enough game and test overall.

Thought O’Shea was the standout first half, Amdouni looked bright too. Foster, Twine and Koleosho second half looking good.

[4midable]

Another cork card
Hes going to get found out this season.

[IPAclaret]

My thoughts fwiw...

I've only watching from 60 mins so can't comment on the Betis goal.

I know it's a friendly but similar to the Benfica game both sides are going for it, feels like a real game.

We look so comfortable on the ball, fluid movement and passing, solid at the back.

New guy on the left looks really exciting, Twine looks stronger, Foster getting better, good one on one save by Trafford.

We just look like a good side that will get better. So much potential.

Two quality midfielders and I honestly think we'll take some stopping and I'm Mr pessimistic definitely not one to get carried away.

What VK has achieved in 12 months is incredible and we should enjoy the ride, this season just might be very special.

UTC

[bfcmik]

Betis pitch.JPG (196.44 KiB) Viewed 1925 times

This is what we had to deal with. Played on some pitches like that in the Algarve walking football tournament and it was tough for us old 'uns

[Elizabeth]

Really enjoyed that performance !

[Steddyman]

He's 34 and never had pace to begin with.

Footballing intelligence, technique, composure, reading of the game, passing all still there but he's just too slow off the mark now.

Passing isn't there, he wastes possession all the time.

[Colburn_Claret]

Another good run out.
Played well defensively. Traffs error is just one of those things, better in a friendly than in the league.
Forwards looked a lot more up for it, when they got the ball, Twine, Foster and Koleosho all looking promising.
Betis put us under pressure, and the only downside is we were sloppy with the ball at the back, no real outlet in midfield showing for them, and it stop us from flowing.

Still pre season though, yet to see VKs starting XI, and lots to look forward to.

[dermotdermot]

Weggie left on the bench. He won’t like that. Speaks volumes. I reckon we’ve seen the last of him.

[wilks_bfc]

Know it’s rare that you end up 10v10 but teams do sometimes train a man short so they know what to do should they get a player sent off.

It might not be a bad thing that it’s happened tonight tbh as it show how we’d cope if it happens

[Spiral]

Very, very early days, so perhaps I'm being unfair, but it's a bit concerning how quiet Amdouni has been in the admittedly short amount of time he's had. Suppose he'll grow into it, but I may have to reassess my expectations a bit. Thought that with the fee and his pedigree he'd make an immediate impact. You can see immediately what O'Shea and Koleosho bring to the table, and it's good to see Townsend looking fit and hungry. He'll be a good signing.

[BleedingClaret]

Koleosho looks jet heeled with good control and physically stronger than I thought he’d be for his age and naturally confident too

[Steddyman]

Weggie left on the bench. He won’t like that. Speaks volumes. I reckon we’ve seen the last of him.

Nah, Foster was playing so well, he wasn't required.

We need a Barnes replacement, and that is Weggy

[Burnley Ace]

Seemed to be well attended?

[Lancasterclaret]

Weggie left on the bench. He won’t like that. Speaks volumes. I reckon we’ve seen the last of him.

Even though the camera wasn't on him once, you can just tell he was fuming

And Roberts telling him all game that he's on and you're on the bench won't have helped either - just a shame the camera never caught that, cos I;m sure it was happening all game

[Hipper]

He's 34 and never had pace to begin with.

Footballing intelligence, technique, composure, reading of the game, passing all still there but he's just too slow off the mark now.

Intelligence? He got away with the the pull back but then stops the free kick being taken quickly with another Burnley player present. The latter is why he got the yellow and it was stupid.

[TheOriginalLongsider]

It’s not 10 v 11 though. What do you learn from 10 v 10?

Cork is going to get suspended pretty early in the season by the looks of it

[NickBFC]

A decent run out against one of the better La Liga outfits. Thought Foster showed a lot of promise, was desperate for him to score as I think he's a confidence player. Looked strong, quick and hard working tonight. Other mentions to Beyer and Twine. Feel we are really needing a quality central midfielder in, Cork just looks way off the pace to me and his game by game bookings back that up.

[boatshed bill]

Foster's work rate was incredible.
It may take him a while to get up to PL standards, we need to be patient and to support the lad.
Koleosho looks exciting. Twine is getting there.
At the back Beyer and O'Shea both very good.

[dermotdermot]

Nah, Foster was playing so well, he wasn't required.

We need a Barnes replacement, and that is Weggy

I beg to differ. He's going. I've offered to carry his bags.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Trafford’s mistakes out the way in pre season . He made a good save to keep it 1-1.

That pitch was terrible.

Good test against a decent side. I think we found more out defensively tonight. I really like Ekdal, and I think we may well see 3 “proper centre halves” play quite often this season. Rotating Roberts and one throughout the season . Central midfield needs attention still.

[dermotdermot]

To be fair, I think that the sun was in his eyes. He could hardly see a thing.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Very, very early days, so perhaps I'm being unfair, but it's a bit concerning how quiet Amdouni has been in the admittedly short amount of time he's had. Suppose he'll grow into it, but I may have to reassess my expectations a bit. Thought that with the fee and his pedigree he'd make an immediate impact. You can see immediately what O'Shea and Koleosho bring to the table, and it's good to see Townsend looking fit and hungry. He'll be a good signing.

To me Amdouni looks as if he may have a bit of the Suarez fight in him. We might not see it in its entirety until the actual season, but you can see a bit of feistiness there. He’s also got decent feet on him. You can’t really judge him today given the shite pitch and lack of actual midfield behind him. He worked hard and got minutes in the legs.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Even though the camera wasn't on him once, you can just tell he was fuming

And Roberts telling him all game that he's on and you're on the bench won't have helped either - just a shame the camera never caught that, cos I;m sure it was happening all game

Can’t tell if this is sarcastic or not

[boatshed bill]

We need a Barnes replacement, and that is Weggy

I'm not sure we really need that in the PL.
Foster worked really hard tonight, I'm not sure we can afford a CF who spends the majority of his time on the half-way line.

[CoolClaret]

Here’s the million dollar question -

Who would you start at centre half week one?

I literally can’t split them.. bar perhaps Beyer just for his ability to drive us up the pitch coming out of defense.

Some dilemma to have

[Vegas Claret]

Very, very early days, so perhaps I'm being unfair, but it's a bit concerning how quiet Amdouni has been in the admittedly short amount of time he's had. Suppose he'll grow into it, but I may have to reassess my expectations a bit. Thought that with the fee and his pedigree he'd make an immediate impact. You can see immediately what O'Shea and Koleosho bring to the table, and it's good to see Townsend looking fit and hungry. He'll be a good signing.

Lukaku cost Chelsea 90 million, fee doesn't mean anything tbh. He'll come good

[Lancasterclaret]

Can’t tell if this is sarcastic or not

All the best sarcastic posts read like they are being posted by a genuine (but demented) poster

[Hedontplayforyou]

Can’t tell if this is sarcastic or not

Liking it makes it worse

[RVclaret]

Here’s the million dollar question -

Who would you start at centre half week one?

I literally can’t split them.. bar perhaps Beyer just for his ability to drive us up the pitch coming out of defense.

Some dilemma to have

Very tough one. Been impressed with both Ekdal and O’Shea. Think Al-Dakhil will slot in at one of the full back roles.

[BleedingClaret]

Trafford’s mistakes out the way in pre season . He made a good save to keep it 1-1.

That pitch was terrible.

Good test against a decent side. I think we found more out defensively tonight. I really like Ekdal, and I think we may well see 3 “proper centre halves” play quite often this season. Rotating Roberts and one throughout the season . Central midfield needs attention still.

I think Al Dakeel could play the midfield role that Corks legs can’t quite do any more
Just think with the CH we have that Al Dakeel could step up and I think he’s a tiny bit too aggressive in and around the box for the Premier League & VAR

[Spiral]

We're so well stocked with quality CB's that playing a back 3 (Beyer, Ekdal, O'Shea) with Roberts or Al-Dakhil as the rotating fullback kind of alleviates our midfield worries a bit, and the either/or options of Roberts and Ameen automatically gives us a very good bench option should the game go awry and we need to change anything. It we were a 442 team we'd almost certainly be needing 2 CM's, but if we commit to this tactic like we played against Benfica we could get away with just signing 1 high quality CDM and have the position covered.

[beeholeclaret]

Enjoyed that. Gives me confidence that we can play at a higher level (than Championship). Still a big ask as it’s a big step up to the Premier League. We don’t know who will play in his first team. Lots of flexibility and fluidity needed and we seem to have plenty of that. Where is Cullen? Have I missed an update (injury?).

[Hedontplayforyou]

For what it’s worth, I think leaving Foster on was the right choice after the reds. He got a full 90 which has been rare for him since he joined. He worked tirelessly winning the ball back rather well in multiple occasions. Had a very good finish ruled offside and was unlucky with his touch when bravo collected late on. He’s developing slowly, but nicely.

[Leyland Claret]

Few observations from that.
The pitch was awful and I’ve seen better up Towneley.
Positives - Beyer who looks so composed on the ball and loves driving out of defence with it. Foster who had his best half of football since he’s been here and impressed especially the 2nd half. Koleosho who looked like he had rockets in his feet and made Bellerin look like he was standing still and he’s no slouch.

Negatives - Cork who unfortunately is looking like he is out of his depth with the players that are around him. JBG for his obvious loss of composure. Taylor gives me kittens when he is on the ball.

Overall an average game spoiled by players ( on both sides ) and a referee that obviously didn’t realise it was a supposed friendly and totally ruined the spectacle by sending the players off for what was a glamorous case of handbags instead of just telling the 2 benches to remove the players from the field of play and replace them.

[warksclaret]

What is it with Cork?

Corky giving it everything, but unfair to expect him to compete another season in the PL. Thats why I think he is a yellow card waiting to happen.

[Tricky Trevor]

I think we will see Twine quite a lot this season. Premier League is made for him with the spaces he finds.

He’d better find space against 10 men. Agree he played well though.

[Commy]

He’d better find space against 10 men. Agree he played well though.

He found space the other night against 11 men.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Had a front row ticket tonight but abandoned it after the amateurish Benfica ticket farce which only got announced with 24 hours to go so played golf at St Mellion instead.

Thus relying on this thread and missed the game, it seems like there is a lot to be proud of. Really excited for the new season. The new arrivals and young lads will take time, particularly if they are both.

[123EasyasBFC]

Harsh to judge cork tonight when there wasn’t a cm playing next to him either

[ClaretTony]

Difficult to pick players out in a friendly but I was impressed with Foster tonight and I thought Twine did well in the second half

[Quickenthetempo]

Great to see an exciting squad.

We played very well in patches but obviously lack a CM.

Foster chased down and outmuscled his defenders a few times, which he had no right to.

Twine involved a lot.

Vinny has done wonders for us, but it's crimnal what he has done to Jack Cork and getting him to do them professional fouls all the time.

[Vino blanco]

Much better second half with Foster, Taylor, Ekdal and the young Kolo lad playing well. Twine finding his feet at a higher level and despite his booking, I thought Cork played okay. I still think we need Tella back and two powerful midfielders.

[123EasyasBFC]

Do think in the 90 he played at genk and the 45 played today, brownhill hasn’t looked great, just seemed abit lost and didn’t really have role in the game

[boatshed bill]

Great to see an exciting squad.


Vinny has done wonders for us, but it's crimnal what he has done to Jack Cork and getting him to do them professional fouls all the time.

I think Jack knows what he is doing and doesn't need coaching

[Newcastleclaret93]

That’s the foster I saw before he signed for us.

He’s going to be a top player for us

[warksclaret]

Good to hear that Twine & Foster had good games. Bodes well for the starting 11 and competition for places

[RickyBobby]

Nah, Foster was playing so well, he wasn't required.

We need a Barnes replacement, and that is Weggy

Very disrespectful of Ash to suggest Wout is a suitable replacement for him.