Carrington or Hyde was the question but as they weren't all in for training I went to Hyde to watch the game against Liverpool.
Not a great game sadly but competitive and quite a few new players on view for me.The team was Johansen,Veseli,Helan,Rekik and Meppen-Walters at the back. Midfield of Angel,Razak,FranciscoSilva Jnr,Jose D'Angelo and Isnaldo and then Scapuzzi up front.
For me the stand out player was Razak.He is growing on me every time I see him.A strong player who seems to know who/what is around him so that he usually turns the right was out of trouble and maybe only lacks the best passing ability.To be fair to him though there wasn't often much movement around for him to make passes.One negative is that he does tend to rely on using his body to shield the ball and although he has good strength he does lose the ball sometimes in dangerous positions.
Of the trialists I didn't see a lot of positives.They all have a fair touch about them but I was just disappointed with the lack of movement and I suppose effort.D'Angelo scored a nice goal after a one two with Suarez, cutting onto his left a scoring from 20 yards in off a post. But I felt mostly they were anonymous, as was Devante Cole and Andreas Mancini when they came on.Surprisingly Cole was taken off near the end even though he was only a sub coming on after 45 minutes.
Joan Roman was played wide right in the 1st half and couldnt get into the game so was substituted. So with little quality up front itw as the dfensive side of the game where our best players were. Razak in midfield as I said but also Rekik and Veseli in central defence .Veseli moving there after Meppen-Walters got injured.I actually thought Veseli was the better of the 2 but some I am sure would say Rekik.For me Rekik gets caught at times on the ball which is a worry but I am sure he will work that out of his game.
Helan at left back leaves me wondering. I know he has good pace but I am just not convinced by him defensively and so far he hardly ever seems to get forward into good attacking positions.He gets forward but almost always cuts back. Today maybe mostly because there was never anyone to pass or cross to.Andreas Mancini came on and played like he does so often. A good touch at times as he skipped tackles but no end product and when he lsoes the ball or misplaces a pass just drops his head and shoulders and gives up for a while.
Suarez played the 2nd half and clearly has a touch and an eye for an opening but mainly flatters to deceive. Lazy was the word from folk around me that have seen more of him. He did give the ball away too often and I could see why it is is felt by some that he isnt safe to give the ball to in his own half.Plus he does not provide much cover for the wide defence which was leaving our right flank very exposed. Not good when the full back in the 2nd half was Paul Clowes who is a midfield player and not exactly blessed with pace.
Liverpool were a reasonable strong outfit too.A few who have first team experience including Insua and Degen but they also lacked real quality up top.
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