What do pre-season results really tell us?

[PickeringBlue]

I would normally say that pre-season means nothing as it is mainly about fitness and finding out about players. I haven't been able to watch the games but have watched the highlights. My main concern is with the horrible defense. We also seem to still have no clue how to move off the ball and create forward movement at times. That being said, considering that we had several games last year where we created nothing....like zero opportunities...it would appear as if we are creating a bit more. Cenk seems to have forgotten how to head a ball.

My main concern is that we still seem terrible at getting transfers over the line.

 

[Eggs]

When you played, did your pre-season results matter to you?

..mmm, you looked more at new team mates to gauge how good they were, especially if they were in competition for your place. You’d be looking to impress a new manager. Saying that, i’d be concerned if we were getting a thumping against teams you want to be competitive against. Performance more than results.

 

[malfosse]

A follow up question, purely hypothetical at the moment.

Would the pre-season results matter as much if we were able to bring in another 3 or 4 before the season starts.

 

[AdaBrummieblue]

Relegation form. We're doomed!

 

[phil_t98]

they mean nothing, its a run out for the players and thats it. we don't want them to over do it and get strains or niggles before the start of the season.

The test comes in a couple of weeks and thats when we judge

 

[deipnosophist]

I think it’s demonstrated that Capt Jags probably shouldn’t seek to extend his contract beyond its current term.

 

[TheBigIguana]

The actual score doesn't tell you much. I think it was pretty clear if you watched both Renne and Blackburn that one was well worse than the other despite both being 3 goal defeats

 

[Badge1878]

Accrington beat Blackburn yesterday, so if we follow these forms lines we are in the wrong division clearly!

It’s not ideal, we get that, but had we won them all, it wouldn’t have really covered the gaps that exist either. Players to come back, many to leave, some to arrive. It’s preseason and it’s going to take time - hopefully see a more genuine starting line up against Valencia. We don’t win many of these final home preseason games either so let’s not over react - this is going to take time.

It’s essentially the same under performing squad that’s good enough to see us consistently win enough games to satisfy our ambitions. So, until there is a change of personnel with additional quality added to a collective team effort, it’s a matter of backing the manger and seeing him stamp his identity and ideas on the team.

 

[Market trader]

they mean nothing, its a run out for the players and thats it. we don't want them to over do it and get strains or niggles before the start of the season.

The test comes in a couple of weeks and thats when we judge

Presumably, managers believe that pre-season games have some credibility as they use them to make decisions on who who to move on, who to bring into the first-year squad, who to make a starter and where there are still places to be filled in the first team squad.

 

[Ducans elbow]

It tells me that judging by that game yesterday with no new recruits we are finishing in the bottom 6

 

[Darth Toffeeman]

The problem is we have no identity.

We did have under Moyes after years of massive underachievement and soul destroying football.
By 2007/8 he had established a vibrant side of young, well drilled, athletic footballers after year upon year of garbage.
Old players and imports with no heart and belief. This current side is so similar to the Smith era of 01.
Just replace Nyarko, Alexandersson and Gravesen with any of our current midfield.
Gravesen proved what a fantastic player he was once Moyes had found the suitable set up for him.

The problems are more deep rooted than an individuals footballing ability.
We undoubtedly have some very talented footballers. But this club is lacking on field leadership and responsibility.
The blend is all wrong.

Big job to sort this shambles out

 

[jazzy]

You're better off comparing our pre-season results with the likes of West Ham, Leicester, Bournemouth, Newcastle.

They still don't compare favourably

 

[Tel001]

We have a +15 GD after 5 games. We are gonna win the league

 

[WA Toffee]

Means nothing other than giving people amchance to winge.
Win 22-0, why are we wasting our time playing teams we can beat. Lose 1-0, shows that we haven’t progressed.
They are really designed to give players some match sharpness before the season, results are totally irrelavent

 

[mikey 62]

they tell me at the moment we are far from a positive and cohesive team , that we are going to need to be patient and give Silva and Brands time to turn things around