Will we have played enough matches to be match fit? Matches seem thin on the ground.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 18, 2022 6:03 pm

Will we have played enough matches to be match fit? Matches seem thin on the ground.

I guess we'll find out soon, but most teams are rusty in the first few games, so it shouldn't be as much of an issue as you fear Ian.

2 games in Portugal I think they’d said? They confirmed Newcastle for Saturday anyway.

Hope you are right Tiger. Matches in front of a crowd, add some bite. Matches at a team building centre are not the same.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 18, 2022 6:12 pm

Hope you are right Tiger. Matches in front of a crowd, add some bite. Matches at a team building centre are not the same.

At this stage it's about fitness, you get that with games regardless if fans are in attendance or not

It's a very short close season, which i imagine has reduced the number of friendlies

Blame Blatter and his band of corrupt cronies.

Friendlies are a glorified training session. Fitness and trying things out against different sort of oppositions.

We played 7 friendlies last season

Kevwando wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 18, 2022 6:29 pm

We played 7 friendlies last season

And started the season terribly. Maybe a few less might have the opposite effect!

We also have more new signings than in recent times and of course an entirely new coaching team, so pre season perhaps takes on even more importance than usual.