Valencia pre-season friendly Match thread.

[FOXYTALK]

11 hours ago, HankMarvin said:

Maddison deffo going in dream team

already in

[Max Wall]

Didn't see the match as I work in the evenings,

What an unusually pleasant match thread to read through though.

Valencia are 10 days behind us in terms of 'where they're at' but I'm pleased at what seems like a genuine upsurge in positivety on here. 

[dannythefox]

Not convinced about Silva. But I’d happily see Johnson fill in for a couple of game if needed. Maddison looks decent too.

[Webbo]

You have to remember that Valencia made subs too. I've no idea how many players in the second half were regulars or reserves. It's nice to see Johnson did okay but talk of starting him against Man U is crazy. If he gets humiliated out there it could destroy his confidence.

[Finnegan]

10 hours ago, Finnegan said:

Johnson looks like he could bench four Liam Moores and a spare Wes Morgan. 

 

Josh Knight looks a fun player to watch, pocket battleship.

 

I've realised that I meant Josh Gordon. 

 

The kid from Stafford, not the centre half. Nippy little tank. 

[AKCJ]

I thought it was alright but I just have no idea how we're going to be getting the 50 odd goals a top 8 finish requires.

 

We have nothing on the wings.

 

 

Pleased with Ricardo, Chilwell, Ndidi, Maddison and Iheanacho. Thought Johnson looked the part.

 

Parejo and Kondogbia are about 10 steps up from anything we have in midfield. Rodrigo was a real handful too.

 

 

I think i'd be happy to go into the season with just a new winger but he has to be a good one.

[les-tah]

19 minutes ago, Webbo said:

You have to remember that Valencia made subs too. I've no idea how many players in the second half were regulars or reserves. It's nice to see Johnson did okay but talk of starting him against Man U is crazy. If he gets humiliated out there it could destroy his confidence.

i get this.. but its petrifying when the current alternative is Wes and Benny  .. Lukaku could have a record breaking day as it seems all the Belgium,English and French players will return for Mourinho.

[CosbehFox]

22 minutes ago, Webbo said:

You have to remember that Valencia made subs too. I've no idea how many players in the second half were regulars or reserves. It's nice to see Johnson did okay but talk of starting him against Man U is crazy. If he gets humiliated out there it could destroy his confidence.

Difference being Valencia’s subs include an ex Barca player, ex Real Madrid player and a Danish international

[les-tah]

2 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

I thought it was alright but I just have no idea how we're going to be getting the 50 odd goals a top 8 finish requires.

 

We have nothing on the wings.

 

 

Pleased with Ricardo, Chilwell, Ndidi, Maddison and Iheanacho. Thought Johnson looked the part.

 

Parejo and Kondogbia are about 10 steps up from anything we have in midfield. Rodrigo was a real handful too.

 

 

I think i'd be happy to go into the season with just a new winger but he has to be a good one.

Couldn't watch the game unfortunately... But seems that literally everyone is in agreement about needing wingers apart from the Club.. its Baffling to be honest.

 

And in regards to Chilwell i see people saying hes dreadful and then see people saying hes good! whats going on   

[AKCJ]

2 minutes ago, les-tah said:

Couldn't watch the game unfortunately... But seems that literally everyone is in agreement about needing wingers apart from the Club.. its Baffling to be honest.

 

And in regards to Chilwell i see people saying hes dreadful and then see people saying hes good! whats going on   

I thought Chilwell was fine. Just wish that Kasper wouldn't bother kicking every goal kick to him.

[HighPeakFox]

1 minute ago, AKCJ said:

I thought Chilwell was fine. Just wish that Kasper wouldn't bother kicking every goal kick to him.

Unfair - he kicks some of them straight out of play.

[Finnegan]

7 minutes ago, Cardiff_Fox said:

Difference being Valencia’s subs include an ex Barca player, ex Real Madrid player and a Danish international

 

Yeah. Main thing that struck me last night was how little depth we have. 

 

Whilst fun watching the kids, it's pretty shocking we didn't have anywhere near enough first team squad members to make up numbers. 

[Sunbury Fox]

13 minutes ago, les-tah said:

i get this.. but its petrifying when the current alternative is Wes and Benny  .. Lukaku could have a record breaking day as it seems all the Belgium,English and French players will return for Mourinho.

How come Man U will have all of those players back and Vardy and Maguire won't be ready?

Edited 2 August 2018 by Sunbury Fox

[rachhere]

Bit of a mixed bag I thought that match. My first time seeing Maddison and he really looks great, and I appreciated his greeting the fans during the match. I anticipate there being a lot of kids walking around the ground with his name on their shirt. Throughout pre-season he's looked like one of our more experienced players, which says a lot firstly about him, but also about how some of the others are doing.

 

Ricardo wasn't as good as I was expected, sadly, but its still early days.

Thought Silva looked bright when he came on. I still think he could be a key element in terms of our creativity. 

Diabate, it's just not working...but you do still get glimpses of his vision. I can't help wondering if he plays a lot better in training than in matches, which is why Puel is persisting and hoping that he gets it together. 

Albrighton is another concern for me. I don't know if it knocked his confidence getting dropped when Puel first arrived, but he's just not been himself for a while. I wonder how much longer he will stay around. 

Defensively, obviously a concern. Really hope we can convince Johnson to sign a contract with us... 

 

[Guest]

Enjoyable match.

 

My thoughts. 

 

We were at least as good as them in the first half and better than them in the second half. They are playing Champion's league next year and our U23s were better than them.

Loved our closing down in both halves but particularly the second.

 

 

First half:

Albrighton was the best player on the pitch.

Albrighton and Ricardo looked to be working towards a decent partnership.

Maddison looks class. can't wait for him to have Vardy on the pitch to put through passes too. Mahrez who?

Iheanacho took his goal so well.

Chilwell and diabaté linked and worked together well. Some FTers had already decided they were crap so didn't watch properly. Sure they gave the ball away a little too often but they also made some nice plays.

Ndidi and Iborra were okay but nothing more than that.

Benny was poor and really shouldn't see first team action again at Leicester. Must be 7th or lower on the CB depth chart.

Morgan was okay but outshone by Johnson easily.

 

Second half:

We played our U23s and they were far better.

Choudhury was marvellous - our best CM on the day.

Silva looked good with link up play but still gave the ball away more than expected.

Johnson was marvellous. Nerves stopped him getting at least one goal but he dominated at the back. He should be above Morgan and Benny in the CB depth chart. Who was it who belittled my post saying that our U23 CBs were better than Benny and Morgan a few weeks ago?

Fuchs was not that great defensively but on the attack he can still cross and throw a ball well.

Knight looked nervous but made no mistakes.

Gordon was a real surprise. For me he was the most disappointing U23 player in the team last season but last night he played well. Fast, Clever, Direct and great energy.

Ndukwu is going to be a top player. we need to make the right moves for him this season.

Thomas, so much better than Gordon last season but didn't look good last night perhaps he was trying to hard.

Elder started very well, not so good after the position change but certainly a squad possibility this season.

 

Kasper was fine.

 

Must have forgotten a couple of the second half replacements.

 

Overall happy.

 

Hope Johnson leapfrogs benny and Morgan.

Hope Hamza gets his chance.

Loved the look of Ricardo behind Albrighton.

Still not sure about who should be down the left.

 

 

 

[les-tah]

47 minutes ago, Sunbury Fox said:

How come Man U will have all of those players back and Vardy and Maguire won't be ready?

 

God knows...It  will be embarrassing if true.. Maybe Vardy still has that groin injury?

 

But Maguire is fine and should still be fit.. Our defence is an absolute shambles with options at the moment its a must that he plays!! he should want to play as well. 

Edited 2 August 2018 by les-tah

[That_Dude]

Maddison looks like the real deal. Very, very promising.

 

Nacho is great when played where he should be.

 

Johnson is slowly making its way to the first team, I hope he'll sign his new contract.

 

Disappointed a bit by Chilly and Diabaté. We can't simply have both starting in the PL atm or the opponent will run riot on the left. 

 

I fear one thing though, that we'll find ourselves starting the season with only Maddison as creator. Other teams will quickly learn to double up on him and that's pretty much it. Albrighton, Gray and Diabaté are nowhere near enough. We ansolutely need a creative wide player or we're going to struggle this season.

Edited 2 August 2018 by That_Dude

[Outfox the Fox]

Schmeichel - 6 (looks happy!)

Pereira - 6 (great attacking, shame about the defending!)

Morgan - 5 (way past it now - unfortunately)

Benalouane - 4 (a walking disaster, I'm sure he'll be on his way soon, this was a shop window - unfortunately!)

Chilwell - 5 (just not up to it defensively)

Ndidi - 8 (usual defensive midfield quality)

Iborra - 6 (steady)

Maddison - 8 (could be a wonderful addition)

Albrighton - 6 (hard working)

Diabate - 6 (ran a lot, but to no great effect)

Iheanacho - 8 (really up for it and a great, well taken goal)

 

Knight - 6 (not really tested)

Amartey - 6 (better than Pereira as a defensive right back)

Johnson - 7 (we could well have found a third Centre back, to support Evans & Maguire)

Fuchs - 6 (steady)

Elder - 7 (keep him, a much better left back than Chilwell)

Choudhury - 7 (great back up for Ndidi)

Silva - 7 (looking better each game)

Ndukwu - 7 (raw quality)

Thomas - 6 (not on long enough to show what he can do)

Gordon - 7 (should have had 2 goals, if it wasn't for great keeping)

 

 

Edited 2 August 2018 by Outfox the Fox

[AndyNCH]

Bit concerned with the price of Maddison.  Not sure he's up to the rigours of the Prem, perhaps loan him back to Norwich for the season?

 

In hope. 

[OhYesNdidi]

2 minutes ago, Outfox the Fox said:

Schmeichel - 6

Pereira - 6 (great attacking, shame about the defending!)

Morgan - 5 (way past it now - unfortunately)

Benalouane - 4 (a walking disaster, I'm sure he'll be on his way soon, this was a shop window - unfortunately!)

Chilwell - 5 (just not up to it defensively)

Ndidi - 8 (usual defensive midfield quality)

Iborra - 6

Maddison - 8 (could be a wonderful addition)

Albrighton - 6

Diabate - 6

Iheanacho - 8 (really up for it and a great, well taken goal)

 

Knight - 6

Amartey - 6 (better than Pereira as a defensive right back)

Johnson - 7 (we could well have found a third Centre back, to support Evans & Maguire)

Fuchs - 6

Elder - 7 (keep him, a much better left back than Chilwell)

Choudhury - 7 (great back up for Ndidi)

Silva - 7 (looking better each game)

Ndukwu - 7 (raw quality)

Thomas - 6

Gordon - 7 (should have had 2 goals, if it wasn't for great keeping)

 

 

 

Harsh on pereira, he won two back post headers which would have certain goals. The problem was maybe the space behind him but that's something the team will have to figure out going forward if he's encouraged to get forward all the time. 

[Ian Nacho]

1 hour ago, AndyNCH said:

Bit concerned with the price of Maddison.  Not sure he's up to the rigours of the Prem, perhaps loan him back to Norwich for the season?

 

In hope. 

[gurru991]

2 hours ago, AndyNCH said:

Bit concerned with the price of Maddison.  Not sure he's up to the rigours of the Prem, perhaps loan him back to Norwich for the season?

 

In hope. 

Are you the Norwich Manager ?

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

2 hours ago, AndyNCH said:

Bit concerned with the price of Maddison.  Not sure he's up to the rigours of the Prem, perhaps loan him back to Norwich for the season?

 

In hope. 

 

[dynamark]

Bit late but

Nacho looked realy good but playing in Vardys position

Didn't know Albrighton was on until 38th minute

Ricardo seems good enough

Iborra right up for it but nothing incisive at the end

WTF does kasper keep trying to hit chilwell with long balls -we loose possession 90 per cent of the time- garbage play

finally two stand outs in second half Darnell I think monster -and in not sure who but right side up top remind me of andre gray credit to the lads who were given a chance.

Beer has gone up service gone down and you wouldn't think that was possible !

[Beechey]

4 minutes ago, dynamark said:

Bit late but

Nacho looked realy good but playing in Vardys position

Didn't know Albrighton was on until 38th minute

Ricardo seems good enough

Iborra right up for it but nothing incisive at the end

WTF does kasper keep trying to hit chilwell with long balls -we loose possession 90 per cent of the time- garbage play

finally two stand outs in second half Darnell I think monster -and in not sure who but right side up top remind me of andre gray credit to the lads who were given a chance.

Beer has gone up service gone down and you wouldn't think that was possible !

To be fair, I was sat right where he was pinging those balls towards and Chilwell was in loads of space, and I don't remember him missing a header, but there's nobody next to him to get to the second ball.

Edited 2 August 2018 by Beechey