Mainz v Clarets

[123EasyasBFC]

Created 4 or 5 chances just need to be more ruthless

[claretspice]

Of course but you can’t possibly think Brownhills top line speed is anywhere near that of a Tella? He has an engine like but miles off.

Of course he's not as quick as Tella, but that is not the test, is it? Tella is lightening. There's a vast spectrum between Tella speed and merely mobile. Brownhill is well on that spectrum and for a central midfielder, is quick.

So can he sit in or not?

“I think in a league where we are likely to spend more time sitting in without the ball, and will be more exposed to counters when we do have it, his attributes will be essential. Twine for one certainly does not replicate them.

As for him struggling in the PL before- I've already said, the more he is asked to sit, the more limited he looks.”

There's no contradiction here. Even in games where we are dominated we will get opportunities to break. My guess is that when we do, VK will value his ability to get up and support the front 1/2/3 (and this is what he wasn't really deployed to do under Dyche, who wanted his 2 midfielders to stay goal side in a more rigud 442). Equally, when we are committing men forward and so are vulnerable to swift transitions, the speed of his recovery runs will be equally valuable.

[ClaretTony]

Good save - close again Amdouni

[Stan Tastic]

That's one of the worst fouls I've ever seen. Waist high studs up, should be sent off, I don't care if it's a friendly.

[CoolClaret]

Of course he's not as quick as Tella, but that is not the test, is it? Tella is lightening. There's a vast spectrum between Tella speed and merely mobile. Brownhill is well on that spectrum and for a central midfielder, is quick.

Not ‘exceptionally quick’ then.

As for recovery runs that’s great when he’s playing slightly further forward, when he’s meant to be sitting? I think that’s because he’s caught out of position, if honest.

Always look more open when he’s playing as more of a ‘6’

[Carwin261]

I think Muric is much more imposing than Trafford

[CoolClaret]

I think Muric is much more imposing than Trafford

He’s massive - tall and muscular as well, looks like he takes up the entire goal.

[RVclaret]

Not ‘exceptionally quick’ then.

As for recovery runs that’s great when he’s playing slightly further forward, when he’s meant to be sitting? I think that’s because he’s caught out of position, if honest.

Always look more open when he’s playing as more of a ‘6’

Brownhill simply doesn’t have the attributes to play deeper in this system. Lokonga and Cullen as a pivot take us to the next level.

[ksrclaret]

Brownhill simply doesn’t have the attributes to play deeper in this system. Lokonga and Cullen as a pivot take us to the next level.

Agree with that last comment but we've got so many attacking players (with a few more to be signed) it's hard to know who our best 4 would be ahead of those two and how they'd line up.

What do you think?

[chekhov]

This is a long 15 minutes.

[bumba]

I think Muric is much more imposing than Trafford

Muric is a better all round goalkeeper at this stage than Trafford by some distance, he has to be our number 1 and deserves that opportunity

[Carwin261]

Pace out

[Pickles]

It's a friendly, it doesn't mean much. Etc etc.

But we've been very poor today.

[RVclaret]

Agree with that last comment but we've got so many attacking players (with a few more to be signed) it's hard to know who our best 4 would be ahead of those two and how they'd line up.

What do you think?

Zaroury Amdouni Foster Redmond

[claretspice]

Not ‘exceptionally quick’ then.

As for recovery runs that’s great when he’s playing slightly further forward, when he’s meant to be sitting? I think that’s because he’s caught out of position, if honest.

Always look more open when he’s playing as more of a ‘6’

He's quick for a central midfielder. Generally, I think you are missing my point: I agree he's not a 6 and if you play him there he is limited. You get the best out of him when he has licence to roam and support further forwards. His best position is probably as one of 2 8s flanking a 6. In that sort of role I think he's got plenty to offer. He's got limitations and a ceiling in the bottom third of the PL but I'm not sure that's a problem given finishing 15th would do us absolutely fine this season.

Surprised you're picking this fight but each to their own.

[Taffy on the wing]

That’s the tin-hat on it!
Phil Bird to blame.

[dermotdermot]

Could have certainly done without this extra half an hour.

[Stan Tastic]

I'm counting this as a 1-0 defeat as the extra 30 minutes isn't normally played.

[ClaretInLeeds]

Could have certainly done without this extra half an hour.

Yeah. I’m sure they planned it as a pointless exercise.

[RVclaret]

Could have certainly done without this extra half an hour.

Why? Fitness exercise for a good few. Particularly Larsen and Amdouni.

[chekhov]

Could have certainly done without this extra half an hour.

Result zero importance. It’s about minutes in legs.

[arise_sir_charge]

It's a friendly, it doesn't mean much. Etc etc.

But we've been very poor today.

Disagree, in the 90 minutes we should have won comfortably.

[CoolClaret]

He's quick for a central midfielder. Generally, I think you are missing my point: I agree he's not a 6 and if you play him there he is limited. You get the best out of him when he has licence to roam and support further forwards. His best position is probably as one of 2 8s flanking a 6. In that sort of role I think he's got plenty to offer. He's got limitations and a ceiling in the bottom third of the PL but I'm not sure that's a problem given finishing 15th would do us absolutely fine this season.

Surprised you're picking this fight but each to their own.

Not picking a fight and agree with a lot of that but you have changed your view from ‘exceptionally quick’ to ‘he’s quick for a midfielder’ - I’ll go with he’s above average pace and has a phenomenal engine, drive and determination.

[Paul Waine]

What are people planning to do next Friday evening?

[Nori1958]

Why? Fitness exercise for a good few. Particularly Larsen and Amdouni.

Unfortunately some on here ( and elsewhere) only look at the scoreline

[FCBurnley]

Is it 2-0

[boatshed bill]

Unfortunately some on here ( and elsewhere) only look at the scoreline

True, and I doubt any of the 4 defenders on at the end will be starting on Friday night.

[ClaretInLeeds]

What are people planning to do next Friday evening?

The majority of people on this thread will be back in here whinging, of that, I have no doubt.

[Walkerpool]

Is it 2-0

3 - 0

[claretspice]

Not picking a fight and agree with a lot of that but you have changed your view from ‘exceptionally quick’ to ‘he’s quick for a midfielder’ - I’ll go with he’s above average pace and has a phenomenal engine, drive and determination.

You are arguing semantics. Ive not changed my view at all, although i might have refined my wording slightly. He's quick, notably so, for his position. It is one of his relative strengths. The rest is noise.

[Vegas Claret]

very experimental, some good, some bad.

[dermotdermot]

Why? Fitness exercise for a good few. Particularly Larsen and Amdouni.

I’m not criticizing the team or the point of an extra half an hour. Just fairly exhausting to sit through. Andouille looks the business though.

[Pickles]

Disagree, in the 90 minutes we should have won comfortably.

Give over. We had no centre midfield, couldn't string a pass together, no right back, nothing in attack. Like I say, it's a friendly so not too arsed but at no point was that comfortable by any stretch.

Koleosho, Redmond and Amdouni played well. Our good chances came from them.

[123EasyasBFC]

Stand out performers
Koleosho
Redmond
Amdouni
Jay rod

We have known all pre season were we need to improve. A couple of players also need to improve, likes of Trafford, brownhill, JBG and Foster

[Andingle]

Good work out that was for the squad, shame we didn't score but pluses with the performances of both Amdouni & Koleosho looked promising and Bruun Larsen looked neat and tidy.

[IanMcL]

Least said, soonest mended

[spt_claret]

What are people planning to do next Friday evening?

Go to the match, expect a thumping since it's City, shrug it off and move onto the next game as our actual opener.

[claretspice]

Leaving aside Brownhill, worth remembering that 12 months ago noone knew how we would line up at Huddersfield. Kompany doesn't subscribe to the idea of the last pre season game as a direct dress rehearsal for the opening night. Today is a good work out and nothing more. The fact Cullen is still not fit, and the absence in the squad of a specialist left back comfortable in Kompany’s system, are much more xonxerninh than today's result or performance.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Amdouni was by far the standout for us. He looks rather good

[mkmel]

Agreed

[AlargeClaret]

First half I thought we were only “ ok” at best give or take a few flashes . 2nd half we created lots and the likes of Koleosho ( fast ) and Amdouni looked good . I thought Jay looked sharp as well , Redmond looked quality too . Cork /Jbg looked slow and while they’ll be adequate injury /late sub cover I don’t see much more for those 2. Midfield a bit lumpy and Brownhill had a shocker .

We’ll improve plenty as the team gels, Benson returns and new faces settle , though we’re gonna need patience early doors .

[boatshed bill]

What are people planning to do next Friday evening?

Pub

[boatshed bill]

I thought our off-the-ball movement was very poor today, surprising really.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Brownhill cannot play the role asked of him today. Cullen is a massive player for us and some more quality in the centre is required .

Some good bits today mainly from Amdouni but wouldn’t read too much in to todays game.

[ClaretTony]

Not sure if mentioned but the offside decision for our disallowed goal was an incorrect decision

[Robbie_painter]

Not sure if mentioned but the offside decision for our disallowed goal was an incorrect decision

Thought it looked a bit dodgy

[Newcastleclaret93]

He's quick for a central midfielder. Generally, I think you are missing my point: I agree he's not a 6 and if you play him there he is limited. You get the best out of him when he has licence to roam and support further forwards. His best position is probably as one of 2 8s flanking a 6. In that sort of role I think he's got plenty to offer. He's got limitations and a ceiling in the bottom third of the PL but I'm not sure that's a problem given finishing 15th would do us absolutely fine this season.

Surprised you're picking this fight but each to their own.

I am not sure Brownhill would even be in the top 50% of CMs in terms of speed in the prem.

Have you seen the athletes he’s coming up against.

[CoolClaret]

Not sure if mentioned but the offside decision for our disallowed goal was an incorrect decision

Was a good bit of play that as well, absolutely sliced through their press and a good quality run from Amdouni

[Newcastleclaret93]

Give over. We had no centre midfield, couldn't string a pass together, no right back, nothing in attack. Like I say, it's a friendly so not too arsed but at no point was that comfortable by any stretch.

Koleosho, Redmond and Amdouni played well. Our good chances came from them.

I agree

No idea what he was watching.

[Greenmile]

This team needs a peak Dean Marney.

From listening to Phil Bird, it sounds like "Marns" scored three today.