by alxy » Tue Aug 02, 2011 6:04 am
We're still not playing as a team, if last night's game is any gauge of things to come. Especially our defence. Yes, it is pre-season. But then again, teams like MU and MC are winning all their friendly games. So fitness, blah blah blah is not an excuse. While pre-season results don't mean any points, I feel it does make a difference in momentum going forward to new season. The way we are going, I expect us to get off to a bad start like last year (hopefully not as bad), then improve as Kenny gets the team to gel together later on. Only consolation is Arsenal seem to be having problems of their own in pre-season too. So hopefully that'll keep them close to us initial part of season.
I expect MU, MC and Chelsea to make a flying start and take a significant lead over everyone else. To me, we would be scrapping for 6th-9th early part of season. Before finishing strongly to challenge for 4th-6th (like last season).
One thing also: if Downing was signed to give us width, then why did he keep coming inside last night? All the hype about his crosses being ideal fodder for Caroll... last night I don't think Caroll got one decent attempt at goal from any of Downing's crosses