Stockport V Worcester..

[countyjack]

Evening Guys!

Is this game going to be on tomorrow?

Not too sure what your ground is like, just wondered like because our club haven't announced anything!

[blackpole]

yes

[Mark]

No reason to suppose it will be off.

Looking forward to it myself. It will be the first pre-season game for me (and the only one I think). Do you expect to field a strong team or a load of trialists?

[LeedsWCFC]

The match is listed on the Hatters' official website as a first-team game. That doesn't mean they won't use triallists, of course.

[countyjack]

Don't take my word for it but I should imagine we will be playing the first team.

We've got you and Crewe left as listed first team games, and some of the players still aren't fit.

We also have Woodley tomorrow night and that game is listed as an Under 21 game, so the youth and trialists will probably play there.

I'd guess your going to see the majority of the first team tonight definitely.

[countyjack]

And sorry, I thought with the flooding around the local area I wasn't sure what state your pitch would be in!

[Mark]

Sure lots of flooding in the area recently but St Georges Lane is well off the flood plain of the Severn. As I said, I have not been to a game so far this pre-season but on photo's the pitch looks good.

[B*ue dragonstander]

Have Stockport got any claims to fame? They appear to be one of the most anonymous clubs in the League along with Birmingham City.

[Oogly Boogly]

Kevin Francis? Player of the Century.
They also were formed out of two clubs with the same name. Heaton Norris FC and Heaton Norris Rovers FC. I wonder why they didnt become AFC Heaton Norris, or Heaton Norris United?

[Oogly Boogly]

George Best played for them

[andy]

And so did Andy Preece.

I think we are know moving out of 'fitness' friendlies into proper games. Should be good, and a real test for City, on a lovely summer's evening.

[DazaB]

1-1 final score stockport made up of mostly first teamers, thought we played really well. I counted 3 stockport fans, one who bore a remarkable resemblence to jesus.

[villager]

att 312

My first pre-season game and I thought City looked good in the first half.

A little overrun - at times - in the second though. Fair result.

[andy]

Match reports here

www.stockportcounty.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10419~1082365,00.html

and here

www.thisiswcfc.co.uk/reports/reports/display.var.1586489.0.city_1_stockport_1.php

[B*ue dragonstander]

Blimey we scored! Good result even though it sounds we like we took a bot of a battering.

Good to hear that Wardy got a mention in despatches in a midfield role. He didnt really look the part in his appearances there last season even though that is his true position. I found that surprising give that he is a talented player. Maybe it was just settling in and the combination he was playing with was lacking a ball winner alongside him?

[wh]

apart from Webby who had a quiet game and Gary Walker who looked a little lightweight everyone did a great job.

For me the star of the show was Macca very closely followed by Rapid and Danksy.

We look so different now in midfield, I think we will be a very tough team to beat this season.

[Mark]

admin said:

I counted 3 stockport fans, one who bore a remarkable resemblence to jesus.

Never met Jesus myself so I can't comment on that. Their centre back did look rather like Spurs' Tom Huddlestone though!

Thought we did well especially Adam Burley early on. He looked confident and comfortable on the ball - pity about the rather rash challenge in the second half which on another day could well have seen him red-carded.

My first look at the new signings and I thought Rapinder Gill looked good although he did get spoken to about leading with his elbow when jumping for a header in the second half. As far as I am concerned the jury is out on the other two.

[Deleted]

I like Burley - I just wish he could control himself a bit more. With such a small squad we can't afford suspensions.

[Oogly Boogly]

Another decent performance. we look good when we have the ball, and players like Ward and Ndwake are always looking for the pass and keeping the ball moving well. But we still look troubled by balls behind the wingbacks and we are ending up with a pacy winger up against a pulled out of position centre back which is a mismatch.
I think defence is going to be the weakness if only because of the changes in personnel. Its going to take time to get things organised and I'm not sure who the leader is in there. Its probably Smudge when he's playing but he's not the loudest of players. I'm sure these players have the ability to keep things tight, but it might take the first 10 games to really click, or they might just click in the first game, who knows. Still you get 3 points winning 5-4

[andy]

I'm sure OB wont mind if I post a different perspective. I think we have been very stable defensively in the last three games against strong opposition. We've conceded from a misplaced back-pass and a quick ball out of defence.

I feel that playing sides like Walsall, Yeovil and Stockport are more of a test for the defensive side of City's game, as in games where the balance of play lies with them, their greater possession puts us under considerable pressure.

While we get opportunity on building play, their defences and midfield are certainly more solid that those at CN level. So, Webby and Danks dont realy get a look in. So, that type of opposition are not the best for sorting out the supply lines of a new midfield to the forwards, or for the strikers getting a confidence boost. Unlike say Telford, who played Wellington from several leagues below them last night and won 8-0. That, though, can go too far the other way, such that a game like that is no real test, but it is a confidence boost.

My feeling is that we will be strong defensively, but that it will take time for the supply lines to work out to the strikers.

Unfortunately, with Smudger and Shabs both being injured, it has sucked Ryan Clarke into the back three, and Wardy back into the right wing-back position, so the midfield (where the working on moves needs greatest attention, in my book) is the area that has had the least practice as a coherent unit pre-season, leaving Webby and Danks to feed off a few scraps.

That said, I thought it a very solid and capable performance last night, with Adam Burley excelling, some class saves from Danny, and generally good performances all round.

[countyjack]

I've just stuck a match report up. Good game, you look good.

When County got called off two season ago we were in Bury and decided we wanted a game anyway. We went to Hyde and watched Hyde-Worcester. Hyde won 4-0 I think. That day you looked awful, compare that to last night and it was you were 250 times better.

Very impressed, Preecey is doing a good job!

Have to say you were our biggest test so far, we've played Hull and Cardiff aswell.

www.stockport.vitalfootball.co.uk for the report

[wonderfullcity]

andy i agree totally with your comments, regarding the game and the way pre season has gone.
i think we have reason to look at the season with optimism

[Deleted]

"i think we have reason to look at the season with optimism"

You've ruined 90% of the Brookside's year!

[B*ue dragonstander]

ealing said:

"i think we have reason to look at the season with optimism"

You've ruined 90% of the Brookside's year!

;D ;D

Reasons to be cheerful not welcome!

[Tim Munslow]

I came away feeling very positive; we played well most of the time. I was able to look at Rapinder Gill (he wants to be called Rap or Raps by the way - I asked him what we should call him at the pre-season gathering) and he does look very assured, and is an excellent, accurate of the dead ball.

On the debit side we still don't seem to be able to get midfield sorted out; perhaps that's an unfair comment given Smith's absence, but we still lack a Barry Williams figure, able to put his foot on the ball and control the game.

I still don't think Webby has recovered to where he was at prior to his injury and for my money Craig Wilding, whilst not as skilful a player, looks hungrier.

[B*ue dragonstander]

Crikey the lack of Barry Williams gets in a pre-season posting. Its very very early for that sort of comment TM! They dont usually surface until after the clocks go back..

[villager]

I reckon the first red card of the new season will go to Rap/Raps.

I has a tendency to lead with his elbow when challenging for headers (not intentionally ... I'll wager).

Otherwise looks like a great signing.

[wakefield]

timmunslow said:

I came away feeling very positive; we played well most of the time. I was able to look at Rapinder Gill (he wants to be called Rap or Raps by the way - I asked him what we should call him at the pre-season gathering) and he does look very assured, and is an excellent, accurate of the dead ball.

On the debit side we still don't seem to be able to get midfield sorted out; perhaps that's an unfair comment given Smith's absence, but we still lack a Barry Williams figure, able to put his foot on the ball and control the game.

I still don't think Webby has recovered to where he was at prior to his injury and for my money Craig Wilding, whilst not as skilful a player, looks hungrier.

FFS.

The game has moved on since BW's day!!!

Give me a player with quick feet and an eye for that killer through ball, Rather than someone poncing around looking 'to control the game'

It ain't going to happen. In this league, the team that moves on has pace, excellent fitness and is able to create that extra difference.

Pacy, counter attacking football.
Trust me that is the key this season. (and I am not thinking wingbacks!!)

[B*ue dragonstander]

Dear Sir

Your reference to Mr Williams "poncing around" should be withdrawn immediately.

We at the Tunbridge Wells Branch of the City Fan Club are digusted by this vile slur.

In the away game at Dunstable in 1976/77 we thought the pink ballet dress that Mr Williams wore during the second half was no impediment to his performance as was evidenced by his two fine goals.

Yours apoplectically

M. Ajorbuftontufton

[Deleted]

Poncing! Barry Williams! I'm writing to the Times sir!

My handlebar-moustache has molted in outrage.

Yours

Sir Gerald Nazi-Foxhunter