Friendlies

[SF_]

Bamber Bridge & Accrington away, Hearts at home confirmed so far.

Plus we're playing a 'well-known' Spanish team at our training camp in Alicante.

 

[Kenneth E End]

We have Hitchin (A), Northampton (A), Peterborough (A) and West Ham United (H) plus one other in Slovenia.

Perfect pre-season prep for us I'd say with that line up.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Seems decent, we have had a few pre seasons where we seemed to have quite a few games against non league sides which I’m not sure we got a lot from.

Having said that, pleased the Hitchin game is still there. Always a nice afternoon/evening there and a lovely ground

 

[Bartonyellow]

I fucking hate friendlies. Pointless apart from fitness. It’s always the same teams every year anyway. For us usually Leicester, gresley, mickleover and someone like villa or derby ( not this season ).

 

[SF_]

I fucking hate friendlies. Pointless apart from fitness. It’s always the same teams every year anyway. For us usually Leicester, gresley, mickleover and someone like villa or derby ( not this season ).

We usually have a decent home game to look forward to, Liverpool (twice) and United in recent seasons. I never go to them but they always sell out so it's a decent little payday before the season starts.

Bamber Bridge is always the highlight though, quick taxi or bus over the Ribble, plenty of boozers, and a quality bar in the ground. Usually top weather without fail too.

I've enjoyed a few midweek trips to Morecambe & Accy over the years as well. A chance to get to some grounds where we never play competitively.

The actual football on show is pretty irrelevant, other than looking at new signings.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Seems decent, we have had a few pre seasons where we seemed to have quite a few games against non league sides which I’m not sure we got a lot from.

Having said that, pleased the Hitchin game is still there. Always a nice afternoon/evening there and a lovely ground

To be honest, I’d argue we get nothing out of that Hitchin game, especially with them being a level even lower in the last couple of years. We have to remember there’s about 130 teams between the two of us now. That game should now go to a Hemel Hempstead or a St Albans. Because it’s real nice income for these sides.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

See the point but it’s almost always the first game we play after a intense start to the pre season.

The purpose of the game is a nice easy end to a tough start to pre season than to “learn” anything I think. It’s one that’s just to get them playing again and knock some rust off having just been doing intense fitness and cardio stuff for a week plus an opportunity to get a win under the belt before going off to training camps etc. not sure it’s considered anything more than that

 

[BelizeHatter]

Agree....... 'H. I. T. C. H. I. N. Hitchin boys are here again, la la la la la la'

Been a long while, but Hitchin was my home and started me off at live football at the Top Field before I evolved to The Kenny. id love to see us continue a hugely long tradition of pre season there. As TFCH says its just a training exercise that hugely helps a local pro Luton Club out

 

[SF_]

We've added Leicester at home and we'll be playing Getafe in Alicante.

Bamber Bridge (A), Saturday 2nd July, 3pm.
Getafe (N), Tuesday 12th July, 10.45am CET/9.45am BST.
Accrington Stanley (A), Saturday 16th July, 3pm.
Hearts (H), Wednesday 20th July, 7.45pm.
Leicester City (H), Saturday 23rd July, 3pm.

 

[Super_horns]

Finally got ours - none at the Vic due to Elton John doing 2 concerts.

Obviously we couldn’t find any one to play away !

Watford v Cambridge United - Saturday July 2, 1pm (Watford FC training ground, behind closed doors)

Watford v Qatar - Sunday July 10, 1pm (Austria)

Watford v Bolton Wanderers - Tuesday July 12, 3pm (Watford FC training ground, behind closed doors)

Watford v Wycombe Wanderers - Saturday July 16, 1pm (Watford FC training ground, behind closed doors)

Watford v Southampton - Saturday July 23, 3pm (Grosvenor Vale, Wealdstone FC)

 

[SF_]

About 220 people booked on the coaches from Benidorm to watch our game with Getafe, all be it at pitch level at some training complex in Alicante.

Probably a top weekend.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Beat Hitchin 3-0. Obvious caveats apply about preseason but last year we won 7-0 and overall don’t think it was one of our better Hitchin pre season showings.

First half team had a trialist called Fernandes which is always exciting, big centre half last at Forrest but never made an appearance as far as I can tell. Potts scored with a decent strike and I think Doughty showed some decent little flashes. Questions going to remain over Muskwe whose second touch is invariably a tackle it seems.

Mendes Gomes I’m just not seeing what we are trying to do there either, with him I think there’s something about him but for some reason we seem to want to convert him into a central midfield player/number 8 type and I’m not sure that’s the position for him. The regulars like Clark, Lansbury, Jerome showed good touches.

Second half team was good to see Adebayo back, Woodrow showed some nice touches scored a well taken goal before blotting his copy book by missing a pen and then somehow the follow up too. The young lad Pettit sprayed it nicely and pereira had some good runs but the half was blighted by not having a natural left footer on the left, Fred especially unwilling to use his at times and Jones got particularly irate with him about something. We are off to Slovenia tomorrow I believe so perhaps see a signing or 2 announced if we have managed to get any sorted

 

[SF_]

300 booked on the coaches from Benidorm now, pretty sure we've taken less to Cardiff midweek

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

300 booked on the coaches from Benidorm now, pretty sure we've taken less to Cardiff midweek

Are you one of the lucky 300 SF_?

 

[SF_]

Are you one of the lucky 300 SF_?

Unfortunately not, but know a few going for a Benidorm piss up. Would have fancied it for a few days if I knew the details earlier.

 

[SF_]

Ben Woodburn & Robbie Brady both playing in today's Brig friendly. Also looks like Olosunde is being given a chance to prove his fitness over the next few games, despite being transfer listed.

 

[Super_horns]

Oops.

Lost to Cambridge.

Will show Edwards how much work he has to do.

And that we need a few new players.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Beat Hitchin 3-0. Obvious caveats apply about preseason but last year we won 7-0 and overall don’t think it was one of our better Hitchin pre season showings.

First half team had a trialist called Fernandes which is always exciting, big centre half last at Forrest but never made an appearance as far as I can tell. Potts scored with a decent strike and I think Doughty showed some decent little flashes. Questions going to remain over Muskwe whose second touch is invariably a tackle it seems.

Mendes Gomes I’m just not seeing what we are trying to do there either, with him I think there’s something about him but for some reason we seem to want to convert him into a central midfield player/number 8 type and I’m not sure that’s the position for him. The regulars like Clark, Lansbury, Jerome showed good touches.

Second half team was good to see Adebayo back, Woodrow showed some nice touches scored a well taken goal before blotting his copy book by missing a pen and then somehow the follow up too. The young lad Pettit sprayed it nicely and pereira had some good runs but the half was blighted by not having a natural left footer on the left, Fred especially unwilling to use his at times and Jones got particularly irate with him about something. We are off to Slovenia tomorrow I believe so perhaps see a signing or 2 announced if we have managed to get any sorted

I wouldn't read too much into Friday. It didn't really look like many players second half were really that bothered by the game. I don't think the pitch really helped either which is always slow and the grass a bit long.

Don't think Baba Fernandes will be signed - he didn't exactly look the part, although as I say, you can't really judge on 45 minutes.

Mendes Gomes I think should be loaned out. I think to improve we have to loan either him or Muskwe, not keep both.

Thought Casey Pettit was really impressive for the first 15 minutes before he faded considerably. Wouldn't mess with him... his Dad owns a football agency with Ray Winstone!

 

[SF_]

Beat Brig 3-0. Whiteman, Woodburn & O'Neill with the goals.

 

[SF_]

Playing Tranmere in a behind closed doors game tomorrow.

 

[SF_]

Lost 1-0 in the bounce game, or whatever you call them now, think Brady and Woodburn both got a decent amount of minutes.

 

[Super_horns]

Drew 0-0 v Panathinaikos.

Well we didn't lose at least and a clean sheet.

 

[SF_]

Lost 2-1 to Getafe. Sounds like we fell away in the second half under 30+ degree heat. Ledson with our goal.

Sounded like a naughty game for a friendly, bunch of yellows and a few flare ups.

Robbie Brady supposedly impressed and set up our goal. He's obviously a very good player but I just have no faith in him staying fit.

Good following.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1546816694416560130

 

[Super_horns]

Let in 5 goals against 2 League One sides.

Not ideal and shows we could do with some new defenders but the club don't seem to be looking to recruit in that area.

 

[Super_horns]

A nice 4-1 win v Wycombe..

Only trouble is 3 of the goals were from Sarr and Dennis who either won't be here by the end of August or if they are potentially not very motivated or annoyed they haven't got a move.

Have to see I guess.

Naturally would make a massive difference to our season either way.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Beat Northampton 2-1 today and earlier in the week beat Gillingham in a behind closed doors game by the same score. Following over 1000 to watch us at Northampton which is good going for a PSF I think, mostly there to see Danny Hylton though.

Wasn’t at either game but seems first half today we were a bit sluggish before second half became a bit more aggressive and like ourselves to run out winners.

 

[SF_]

Beat Accy 1-0. Riis

Brady looks a really good player, if we can get 30 games out of him he'll be a great signing, but ...

 

[Kenneth E End]

Beat Northampton 2-1 today and earlier in the week beat Gillingham in a behind closed doors game by the same score. Following over 1000 to watch us at Northampton which is good going for a PSF I think, mostly there to see Danny Hylton though.

Wasn’t at either game but seems first half today we were a bit sluggish before second half became a bit more aggressive and like ourselves to run out winners.

Four wins on the bounce. Meaningless but winning is a habit. Couldn’t get to the game myself as have gone down with Covid!

Aribim Pepple will likely sign for Luton shortly as he was on trial today.

 

[Super_horns]

Hope you recover soon !

 

[SF_]

Beat Hearts 2-1, Woodburn and Browne with the goals.

Woodburn was really impressive, suits the system well. Great at winning the ball high up the pitch, works really hard, very calm on the ball and always offers a threat in and around the area. I was very sceptical about signing him but on that showing I think he'll feature quite a lot.

Brady looks quality. Riis, Evans, and McCann all played well too. Woodman looks very solid.

Their goal was a penalty, really sloppy defending a counter attack. Defence was ok bar that but I still have question marks over the back three.

Hearts were tidy and hard working but not much more. Sibbick is their best player.


Bamber Bridge 3-0 (O'Neill, Whiteman, Woodburn)
Tranmere 0-1
Getafe 1-2 (Ledson)
Accrington 1-0 (Riis)
Hearts 2-1 (Woodburn, Browne)

Final game is at home to Leicester.