So, that’s it. The fun and games are finally over and one week today we’ll have something tangible to discuss. Huge relief eh?
In the absence of a stream, I made the mistake of following events at The Valley on the Pink Un’s live feed. Never again.
While Michael Bailey was his usual excellent self in describing events and responding to the odd sensible question, a few of the comments posted between the Charlton going ahead and when the feed was finally switched off were just a little bit heartbreaking.
I don’t need to copy and paste for you to get the general gist. To paraphrase: ‘We’re doomed … relegation beckons … we’re going backwards … prepare for League One’.
It was a lesson learned on my part.
Luckily for me, Gary Field was MFW’s man on the ground (or in the ground in this case) and will be filing his thoughts on the match later, so I’ll leave the analysis to Gaz but by all accounts, it was a first half that was light in oomph. Or, in the words of the head coach: “We were not there in the first half with our heads and our hearts”.
Ultimately, to lose the final game of pre-season is, in my eyes anyway, no bad thing and, as also alluded to by Farke, things have been ticking along a little too nicely in many ways. A pre-season without adversity or difficulties has really not done the job, and so a whack in the cojones just before the real stuff begins is no disaster.
‘General Melchett’ penned an interesting MFW guest blog in midweek where he questioned the quality of City’s pre-season opposition and his point – that the very last thing any team can afford to do is to go into the first game a little undercooked – is a good one. And I do wonder if yesterday had been another cosy little stroll that could have been the case.
As it transpired, it sounded as if City were forced into putting in a real shift in the second half, a half in which some changes were made and where some of those on the bench put in a serious claim for a place in next Saturday’s starting XI.
Again, I’m not sure if [cliché klaxon] a starting XI that ‘picks itself’ is really what you want at this stage of proceedings.
Amusingly, Farke also chucked into the pot that ‘our new kits are beautiful’ as another element to the feelgood factor that currently pervades (for most anyway, not those few Pink Um miserablists) but his general point was a good one. There needs to be an edge, an element of uncertainty a few nerves, without which a Championship opener at St Andrew’s could quite easily turn ugly.
Whether City are ready or not will only reveal itself at 3pm next Saturday but equally, it’s nailed on that the eleven who start in Birmingham won’t end up being Farke’s go-to eleven as the season progresses. Football evolves, things change but there’s also the fact that eight pre-season games are neither enough to fully harness any changes in playing style, nor find the right combination of individuals.
I was going to do the ‘compare next Saturday’s possible starting XI with the side that started on opening day at Craven Cottage’ thing, but when doing some MFW pre-season housekeeping I stumbled across an even better representation of how the squad has evolved (it’s probably not better, but indulge me).
In last season’s final friendly – a home game against Brighton that ended 1-1 – the club allowed MFW to send a photographer to the game. His brief was simple: to snap away and give us a library of images that would offer the Ed plenty to choose from when setting a featured image at the head of every piece. He did a brilliant job and 90 per cent of the images you see on here every day are from that collection.
But it was when sorting through the player images from that afternoon that it struck home just how drastic the turnover has been (and how I’m going to have to beg, steal and borrow for images for the season ahead).
No longer of this parish:
- Marcel Franke
- Angus Gunn
- Cameron Jerome
- James Maddison
- Josh Murphy
- Steven Naismith
- Alex Pritchard
- Harrison Reed
- Marley Watkins
- Yanic Wildschut
Still of this parish but unlikely to feature:
- Russell Martin
- Nelson Oliveira
Still here:
- Ben Godfrey
- James Husband
- Alex Tettey
- Mario Vrancic
- Christoph Zimmermann
And they wore the purple kit for second-half! So, if MFW has a slightly retro feel over the coming season you’ll know why 🙂
But, the serious point here is that this time last season the squad was a hybrid of new faces intermingled with old ones, and it’s now very much one in the mould of its creators – Farke and Stuart Webber. Using the MFW barometer, only Godfrey and Tettey – resplendent in purple at the top of the page – remain from the previous regime.
On that basis, those (even those on the Pink Un live feed) who say that this season is the acid test for Team Farke are right. They’ve had a year and a bit to implement their philosophy, a full pre-season to get the players conditioned and they now have a squad fully stocked with players who fit the bill (or at least their bill). All achieved against a background of austerity.
While we had all accepted there was no way James Maddison could be retained, the sale of Josh Murphy enabled the arrival of one or two faces we didn’t expect and so, on paper at least, this squad looks stronger than I had envisaged it would at the end of last season.
I’m ready … you?
Will be interesting to see the starting line up next week as opposed to this week.We can all do the manager/head coach picking the team bit from our sofa’s.Farke has a lot of options in midfield and will take time to get the right balance I feel.Defence has less options and near enough picks itself (bar injuries).One striker or two that is the question.A lot for Farke to think about and of course if we win he will have picked the right team,lose then he doesn’t know what he’s doing.lol.Imo Thompson,Marshall and hopefully Lewis all start and maybe Buendia may make an appearance.Then again maybe they won’t.:(
Good stuff Gary.
Your article “inspired” me to have a quick flick through the Pink Un feed from yesterday and some of the peasants are indeed revolting. Putting us down before a ball has been kicked in anger? That’s not what I call support on any level. Hopefully the worst comments were from trolls, which wouldn’t surprise me.
This is the first time I haven’t seen NCFC pre-season in many moons (due to pitch relaying hence no home friendlies) so I’m keeping my powder dry for now.
All things considered it appears Webber and Farke have assembled the best squad they could. Tim Krul in particular could prove to be a vital signing.
As I’ve said before I don’t expect that much this season but 2019-2020 will, for me at least, be the acid test. Patience required once more, I reckon.
Just by way of comparison here’s a local report on Birmingham’s performance yesterday:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/promising-performance-birmingham-citys-need-14965046
It sounds as though they have a decent first eleven in the making, but not much on the bench. Monk has a habit of starting reasonably well as a manager then fading, so I won’t be too surprised if we come away with nothing.
No new injuries, good, but the continuing absence of Lewis is a concern – just hope he’s fit enough for a run out in the League Cup game.
As for the Archant feeds – unfortunately they are my only way of following games live, given we’re not allowed to access Radio Norfolk commentaries via the internet. I try to ignore the comments; in any case I’ve learnt that Bailey and his colleagues lay it on a bit thicker than absolutely necessary if we’re not having our best game, which obviously encourages more debate.
Having spoken to a couple of Birmingham supporters yesterday, they have a very low opinion of their chances for the coming season. A Club in crisis, especially off the field.
Good summary, Gary.
While we’ve had significant player turnover this summer, in many ways it’s a very different situation from a year ago. I’ll always stick to my view that last season needs to be seen as transition: Daniel Farke was coming not just to a new club, but a new country; he was trying to unpack his suitcases at the same time as absorbing a new set-up and a completely unfamiliar group of players, trying to make instant decisions about a window he’d had no chance to plan, and getting to grips with a new league.
This time it’s different. He and his coaching staff are settled; he knows most of the players, and has had a big say in the new recruits. This preseason has been planned to his needs, in preparation for a league he now knows first-hand. In his own words, he should be a better manager this time round.
Even with allowances for the necessary budget-cutting, it’s fair to judge him this season. Not on the first six games (let alone a friendly at Charlton), but by December it’ll be reasonable to make some assessments. What will they be? That’s the 64,000 dollar question.
I was on the Pink Un feed. I posted one question which was ignored as expected. I asked if anyone thinks Farke had in his mind the opening line up.
To answer myself, I don’t think he has, because he likes horse’s for course’s , I believe he will be looking at any footage of Brum he can find plus study Monk’s way of playing and will select his opening 11 accordingly.
I noticed Tom Trybull said in an article on the pink one “I don’t think there will be a big difference next season in comparison to last, because he (Farke) still has the same philosophy and the same way of playing football. It is up to us to show this on a weekend.”
So grip hold of the seats, grit your teeth and expect a bumpy ride more of the same ahead
I always look out for the canaries scores. Good review
Gary, you forgot those who have relocated to this parish – Krul, Pukki, Rhodes, Marshall, Passlack, McLean and Buendia off the top of my head.have all relocated and I feel can bring significantly to the party and so minimise the loss of Maddison, Murphy.
I was following the ‘Pink Un’s live feed’ and the trolls/bored Canary Call callers were certainly out in force yesterday casting their prophecy of impending doom.
Hi Ed. Cheers for the comment.
Hadn’t forgotten the newcomers to this parish… was just literally listing those for whom I have MFW images on file 😉
Hi All on this rain soaked day from Blackpool.
Gary , Martin sorry to say I had a couple of comments on yesterdays Pinkun mainly bemoaning the utter crap written about a pre season game I actually used the phrase PHONEY WAR in trying to describe my feelings to all such games.
It seens to me that sonetimes people go on the pinkun to just sprout out rubbish and knock the team and there is a 57 Charles that is a constant thorn in the city side wether playing good or bad this numpty sometimes admit that he is an Ispshite supporter other times he has logged on using soneone elses name.
It is not for me but surely the Pinkun should have a more secure way to login using a password or emsil address to stop abuse by others using your name??????.
Looked at Birmingham’s pre season results they are no better than cities in fact worse overall so the PHONEY WAR is over lets get the real stuff on.
Yesterdays game from my reading was a game of 2 halves and chances missed and a deflected goal, but Bowyer had used the same tactics the week before and it was successful against Brighton and said city wouldn’t find his team an easy one to beat and it proved to be as typical as he played hard with a few crunching tackles.
City possibly needed to play a team set up as Charlton was hard, fair and not going to give an inch I think they gave sent out a warning to their league that Bowyer wants promotion.
I said early last week that I had read rumours that city were interested in Krul but as many said to expensive on wages, and that it would stop the development of Matthews, well we were all wrong on the first and lets hope that a loan for Mathews will progress his development as Farke wants for him.
Mcgovern is one of 5 players out of contract come June Klose, Pinto, Naismith, Martin so there could be another turn over next summer unless we have a very good season.
Come next season Raggett must be given a chance to prove himself in city colours and has a great chance this season a Rotherham to show he is capable in this league, the same must be said for Mathews sending him to a lower league club will not help but surely all championship clubs will have their prefered keeper in place by now unless a kast minute injury comes into play.
Oliveria no preseason game time so not match fit, no rumours at time of comments about anyone interested in him so who will ve the first to break him or Farke an interesting last 10 days of transfers or loans till the 31st August.
Derby seem to be getting a barfain in Maddison from Peterbrough £3m with a possible £2m in add ons I would hace liked city to have been able to do that deal.
Sky for the first time in 8 years are not showing the East Anglian derby instead gave chosen a small derby in Scotland surely they could have found space for it.
57charles is a Binner troll as you suggest and my Pink’un moniker is one of those he regularly steals.
There should be more secure way to sign in and it would be hard to do
Good stuff Gary. I too made the mistake of looking on the PinkUn forum. How depressing that was. We’ve not kicked a ball yet in competitive anger and already we’re useless, doomed to relegation, Farke doesn’t know what he’s doing and all the rest.
I’m still reasonably optimistic but let’s see what Birmingham brings. Pleased that Farke has recognised Hanley’s leadership qualities and l think making him captain will be a big plus.
I guess we’re all still wondering what the future is for Oliveira and Martin. Hopefully Oliveira will be off soon because Farke clearly doesn’t rate him.
Actually, I think Farke DOES rate Oliveira as a talent, and gave him every chance and indulgence last season. But you can only lead a horse to water….
Delighted to see Hanley as captain. A team needs several leaders, though – one of the big reasons for signing Tim Krul, I believe.
Farke and Webber have exceeded all my expectations when you consider the small budget they are given compared to other teams in this league.
If things don’t work out this year then it must be the last throw of the dice for Delia & Co.
All I ever expect from pre season friendly games is the team improves fitness.
Thanks all for your comments. Looking at the thread following Gary F’s excellent match report from Charlton, I’m staggered by the negativity of some before a ball has even been kicked in anger and before most of us have seen the new lads play. Must have been agony to see us have a disaster-free pre-season (both on and off the pitch) and a relief to see us finally lose.
Gary – isn’t that the great thing about football we all have varying opinions on what we see or read about a game and the worst part is when reading about it, you are basing your opinions on someone else’s opinions.
The negativity on the Pinkun just shows you how blinkered some people get in not understanding preseason is for trying out new things, getting players used to playing together and as the Germans call it, the testing period games (much more apt than ‘preseason’).
Farke will know his prefered starting 11 by now but will also be open-minded to latecomers. He has missed the opportunity not to play Oliveria but that could be down to club policy of not wanting him injured for a possible buyer.
So I’m late coming to this chat Gary but here is my thinking. Going forward we look awesome on paper and at many times this preseason. We have pace, determination but perhaps lack a little guile. In our three strikers (Nelson has left the building) I have no doubt we have plenty of goals. We have a great selection of central defensive and attacking midfielders. When all fit we have great defenders (right back is still perhaps an issue to be figured out but Marshall may be the answer but don’t sell Ivo just yet) and in Krul and Matthews solid GKs.
Only thing left to do is find combinations that work and that’s why Farke is payed the big bucks and we are not. For what it’s worth I would play 3 central defenders, 2 dms, 2 wing backs, and a front 3.
Start with a defensive solidity and see where it takes us. With the personnel at his disposal, DF can change formation and style at any point, even without making a substitution.
I simply don’t understand the pessimism. The young people I speak to are so excited as they have exciting players to look up to, some home grown, others from abroad. They have already forgotten about Murphy and Maddison and can’t wait to see Buendia, Hernandez, Mclean and Pukki and the rest of them on match day. Youthful optimism is what the crowd at Carrow needs and a few less Barber Jacket wearing, pessimistic old folk sucking air through their teeth proclaiming to have “been here before” and…….. I will stop a rant there.
Things are looking very up for us. Top 6 is a realistic goal. Farke’s ability to man manage and get the best out of people will show through. We have assembled a group of nearly men who still have time on their side to prove their worth and ability. DF is the general to lead them into battle and, as shown often last year, fight to the last minute to win.
Vivre la Revolution
I’m also coming late to this debate as it did not appear on my feed until Monday. I have also tried to compare our squad to earlier ones and are we clearly weaker than the one that was promoted to the PL under Lambert? Are we clearly stronger than the squad that was relegated to League1? I honestly think the answer is no in both cases so we really are going into the unknown along with a very unpredictable Championship. I agree with Martin this season is not the acid test for Farke or Webber, this could give an indication of the next few seasons but with the high amount of change in a briefer than usual close season plus a tough Autumn schedule makes me feel patience is needed on the playing side. I’m not sure about a feel good factor, out of the supporters I have spoken to I am in the more positive side of the fence with my view that we have had a good transfer window and look to be good for the top half. Other fans understandably look at the loss of Maddison and Gunn as being major obstacles to overcome