Quite encouraging today

I agree. Spence and Jellis were the standouts. Ashley is clearly a holding midfield type and I thought he did ok as well - looked a bit fitter than he did at Matlock. Tavares looked good playing in his natural position wide left in the second half. He’s direct and has a bit of pace. Good to see Denzel Hall get a run out. We had some quality on the pitch. We also looked fairly well drilled. It worries me that we are looking at so many trialists because I think if we add decent quality in the right areas we could be ok. It’s obvious to all where that is needed.
 
mikemiller said:
Lack of ANY regular goalscorer remains a problem though. I hope that even TS can recognise that. Who knows?
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Millers fans are taking a positive view. Fair enough. There were some good things. Blades fans all feel they were poor and we were very poor. Chesterfield drew 0:0 with a Blades team just as strong. My Statler/Waldorf persona stops me taking much comfort from home defeats. I remain perplexed and concerned that we are going so heavily on the trialist route; it's not a reliable guide; for the odd player OK but 5, 6 or 7? No decent goalscorers even associated with us atm. We'll see.
 
I thought the left back on trail let himself down on both goals. First he never competed with the goal scorer initially, then gave up chasing him, second one, great strike but the left back, instead of trying to close him down, he just stuck his backside out. We had enough players doing those things last season.
Also Martha wasn’t helping him out. I struggle to see what Martha brings to the team.
 
I went to the game yesterday and despite the loss, thought we did 'ok'. It's the first pre season game I've been to, so purely based on what I saw yesterday, my opinion on the new lads and trialists...

Jamie Jellis - I think I've already seen Rotherham's player of the season. He was all over the place and very unlucky not to score. Loves a tackle too. Had a great game. He's set a high bar for himself if this is his standard.

Fabio Tavares - looked lively, worked hard and always looked like he might make something happen, without actually doing it. Should be an asset for us against L2 defenders.

Ossama Ashley - played in a holding midfield role. Had a steady game, nothing spectacular but looks decent on the ball. I think there's more to come from him.

Aaron Nemane - I thought he had a really quiet game yesterday, made little impact. Looks to have a bit of pace but can't remember him doing anything of note.

Sonny Aljofree - I was impressed with this lad. Looks like he has a cool head on his shoulders. Played well and I could see him organising his fellow defenders on a number of occasions. I'd sign him based on yesterday.

Jez Davies - he had a lively game, got stuck in and showed some nice touches. Would like to see him again before forming an opinion.

Bruce Anderson - without exaggeration, he had around 5 touches in the second half and looked very lightweight. He got bullied by the Sheff Utd CBs. He hasn't got a great goalscoring record and I'm not sure he's what we need. Was completely ineffective.

Brandon Williams - comes with decent pedigree and definitely puts himself about. He'll do well for us in L2. I'd sign him.

Kyle McAdam - has received some criticism for his performance yesterday but in the main did 'ok' against a good player (Chong). Would like to see him again before passing judgement.

Jake Turner (GK) - his distribution is excellent if yesterday is anything to go on. Not sure he could do much about the goal. If my "app" is correct, he's only 5'11 which is obviously quite short for a goalie.

Ewan Otoo - another lad I didn't see enough of, he went completely under my radar. He's one I'm hoping to see against Derby.
 
Heliosphan said:
I went to the game yesterday and despite the loss, thought we did 'ok'. It's the first pre season game I've been to, so purely based on what I saw yesterday, my opinion on the new lads and trialists...

Jamie Jellis - I think I've already seen Rotherham's player of the season. He was all over the place and very unlucky not to score. Loves a tackle too. Had a great game. He's set a high bar for himself if this is his standard.

Fabio Tavares - looked lively, worked hard and always looked like he might make something happen, without actually doing it. Should be an asset for us against L2 defenders.

Ossama Ashley - played in a holding midfield role. Had a steady game, nothing spectacular but looks decent on the ball. I think there's more to come from him.

Aaron Nemane - I thought he had a really quiet game yesterday, made little impact. Looks to have a bit of pace but can't remember him doing anything of note.

Sonny Aljofree - I was impressed with this lad. Looks like he has a cool head on his shoulders. Played well and I could see him organising his fellow defenders on a number of occasions. I'd sign him based on yesterday.

Jez Davies - he had a lively game, got stuck in and showed some nice touches. Would like to see him again before forming an opinion.

Bruce Anderson - without exaggeration, he had around 5 touches in the second half and looked very lightweight. He got bullied by the Sheff Utd CBs. He hasn't got a great goalscoring record and I'm not sure he's what we need. Was completely ineffective.

Brandon Williams - comes with decent pedigree and definitely puts himself about. He'll do well for us in L2. I'd sign him.

Kyle McAdam - has received some criticism for his performance yesterday but in the main did 'ok' against a good player (Chong). Would like to see him again before passing judgement.

Jake Turner (GK) - his distribution is excellent if yesterday is anything to go on. Not sure he could do much about the goal. If my "app" is correct, he's only 5'11 which is obviously quite short for a goalie.

Ewan Otoo - another lad I didn't see enough of, he went completely under my radar. He's one I'm hoping to see against Derby.
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Thanks, very useful write up. McAdam one I have high hopes for but people tell me he was poor yesterday. I can't see anything in Anderson's record or physique to recommend him so I expect us to take him on. :slap:
 
Heliosphan said:
I went to the game yesterday and despite the loss, thought we did 'ok'. It's the first pre season game I've been to, so purely based on what I saw yesterday, my opinion on the new lads and trialists...

Jamie Jellis - I think I've already seen Rotherham's player of the season. He was all over the place and very unlucky not to score. Loves a tackle too. Had a great game. He's set a high bar for himself if this is his standard.

Fabio Tavares - looked lively, worked hard and always looked like he might make something happen, without actually doing it. Should be an asset for us against L2 defenders.

Ossama Ashley - played in a holding midfield role. Had a steady game, nothing spectacular but looks decent on the ball. I think there's more to come from him.

Aaron Nemane - I thought he had a really quiet game yesterday, made little impact. Looks to have a bit of pace but can't remember him doing anything of note.

Sonny Aljofree - I was impressed with this lad. Looks like he has a cool head on his shoulders. Played well and I could see him organising his fellow defenders on a number of occasions. I'd sign him based on yesterday.

Jez Davies - he had a lively game, got stuck in and showed some nice touches. Would like to see him again before forming an opinion.

Bruce Anderson - without exaggeration, he had around 5 touches in the second half and looked very lightweight. He got bullied by the Sheff Utd CBs. He hasn't got a great goalscoring record and I'm not sure he's what we need. Was completely ineffective.

Brandon Williams - comes with decent pedigree and definitely puts himself about. He'll do well for us in L2. I'd sign him.

Kyle McAdam - has received some criticism for his performance yesterday but in the main did 'ok' against a good player (Chong). Would like to see him again before passing judgement.

Jake Turner (GK) - his distribution is excellent if yesterday is anything to go on. Not sure he could do much about the goal. If my "app" is correct, he's only 5'11 which is obviously quite short for a goalie.

Ewan Otoo - another lad I didn't see enough of, he went completely under my radar. He's one I'm hoping to see against Derby.
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Some interesting things there, Heliosphan and thank you for sharing your thoughts. I couldn't get yesterday - in fact I can't see me getting to any of the friendly games, but my two roving reporters (when they finally got in touch with me! :grinning:) said that Jellis was the Man of the Match, they'd take Davies, Williams and Aljofree on what they've seen.
 
My personal opinion and bearing in mind I haven’t seen too much of the Trialists the following players that were involved on Saturday may well be offered a contract.
1. Brandon Williams - just the right age and if he’s sorted his personal issues out there’s a decent player in there. ( don’t waste your career lad.! )
2. Sonny Aljofree - still only 21yo, looks to be assured and confident at the back and can play Centre Back / Right Back. Young promising player and prone to a mistake or four as he’s learning his career.
3. Ewan Otoo - yes mike he’s had an Ankle Operation. It’s deciding which is his best / preferred position as he’s previously played midfield, Left Back and Left Centre Back . Still only 23yo ( almost 24yo ) he looked to be vocal and organising colleagues at the back. Looks to be a half decent left footed player as he brought the ball out of defence.

These three I would expect to be offered contracts once the Darlington game is sorted.
 
Jury is out for me on the following Trialists as I’ve not seen enough of them to fully decide.
4. Kyle McAdam - I rate this young lad, still only 21yo and has potential. A difficult game for him last Saturday because Ar’Jany Martha’s Curaçao team mate Chong is a quality player.
5. Kez Davies - busy / hardworking in midfield, put a shift in without being outstanding . Alex Bruce knows him previously so I’m going to accept the Managers judgement. KD could well be offered a contract once the Derby County game has passed. Offer of a contract could well depend whether Denzel Hall moves on in the near future.
6. Bruce Anderson - don’t read too much into his stats especially over the last two seasons. Capable of chipping in with some goals without being prolific.
If he was prolific he would cost us a substantial fee and / or he wouldn’t be at our club. Top strikers come at a premium cost even in League 2.
7. Jake Turner - Goalkeeper- looked confident, good kicking with distance can’t blame him for the Callum O’Hare goal.

Another Goalkeeper the club may want look at is Harrison Male if he’s still available and not signed elsewhere. 46 games for York City last season and 19 clean sheets. ( and yes I know it was in the National League. )
Get Richard Hartis to do a quick assessment on him.
 
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