by shaunicus » 31 Jul 2011, 10:36
Decent little day out. Truro have a tidy set-up and it's always good to have a beer on the terraces with no segregation.
First time looking at the new squad under Ling, some brief musings below.
Olejnik looked solid enough, he doesn't seem to have any major weaknesses. Rice wasn't on the pitch long enough to judge but he got a warm reception from both sets of fans.
Can only agree with previous thoughts regarding Oaster. He looks very much at home at right-back and I think he'll make that spot his own this season. Got forward well and looked composed throughout. Saah and Robertson look like the first choice CB pairing and in the absense of Branno it's obvious Robbo has took on the mantle of being the 'vocal' one at the back. For all his supposed leadership qualities Saah doesn't say an awful not, but he reads the game well enough and as a pairing they compliment each other well. Ellis looks set to start the season as first reserve and not many clubs in this division will have such a good defender sitting on the bench most weeks. One criticism I've always had of Ellis is for all his brave and battling qualities I do wish he wouldn't come charging in full pelt all the time, if he doesn't win that header/tackle we're left very exposed at the back. Nicho was Nicho, one of the first names on the teamsheet and solid as always. LRT has a way to go before challenging for that left-back spot imo, he's a good athlete but give me Nicho's knowhow and experience any day of the week.
Macklin was quiet, though in fairness to him he didn't see much of the ball and never got a clear run at their full-back. He was tidy enough though and I'd like to see him get a good run in the team - we desperately need to inject some pace in the side. Mansell gave an all-action display in midfield and looks the best option for that ball-winner role in the middle of the park. O'Kane was the best player on the pitch by a country mile and it's clear he's going to be key for any success we have. Constantly coming deep, giving an option, recycling possession. Seldom did he take the wrong option with the ball and when he got himself forward he showed great composure in the final third. He is class, a joy to watch and I'll be shocked if he's here past January. Morris looked a good enough player on the left, he reminds me of Carlisle in that he's solid enough at everything without being a match-winner in his own right. He gives balance to that left-hand side though, tracks back well, has a decent cross and I'd much rather have someone like Morris as opposed to Stevens, who is still woeful. His decision making and lack of discipline hasn't improved and I don't know why we gave him two years. A good bench option if we need a goal but nothing more, he should never be trusted to start football matches. McPhee played a couple of different positions and looked alright, took his goal well. Lathrope scored a nice long range strike with his first touch. Halpin didn't have enough time to impress really. A loan move with a recall clause might be beneficial for him at this point, just so he can get a run of games.
Howe impressed me. He's a chunky fella but I think that's his natural build. I'd worry if we started him together with Kee as they're both very similar players who like to play with their back to goal. Atieno looked OK but being honest he's not going to hit double figures this season and won't trouble FL defences. I think we need a striker with a bit of pace who can play on the shoulder of the last defender, but that's me being picky.
Overall I reckon we'll be alright. Despite the six goals its in attack where I'm most concerned. It's no coincidence that Oastler, Robertson and O'Kane were the three players to play a full 90 yesterday - on yesterday's evidence they looked the best players we have and they are a good base to work from.
[color=#0040FF]Decent little day out. Truro have a tidy set-up and it's always good to have a beer on the terraces with no segregation.
First time looking at the new squad under Ling, some brief musings below.
[b]Olejnik[/b] looked solid enough, he doesn't seem to have any major weaknesses. [b]Rice[/b] wasn't on the pitch long enough to judge but he got a warm reception from both sets of fans.
Can only agree with previous thoughts regarding [b]Oaster.[/b] He looks very much at home at right-back and I think he'll make that spot his own this season. Got forward well and looked composed throughout. [b]Saah and Robertson[/b] look like the first choice CB pairing and in the absense of Branno it's obvious Robbo has took on the mantle of being the 'vocal' one at the back. For all his supposed leadership qualities Saah doesn't say an awful not, but he reads the game well enough and as a pairing they compliment each other well. [b]Ellis[/b] looks set to start the season as first reserve and not many clubs in this division will have such a good defender sitting on the bench most weeks. One criticism I've always had of Ellis is for all his brave and battling qualities I do wish he wouldn't come charging in full pelt all the time, if he doesn't win that header/tackle we're left very exposed at the back. [b]Nicho[/b] was Nicho, one of the first names on the teamsheet and solid as always. [b]LRT[/b] has a way to go before challenging for that left-back spot imo, he's a good athlete but give me Nicho's knowhow and experience any day of the week.
[b]Macklin[/b] was quiet, though in fairness to him he didn't see much of the ball and never got a clear run at their full-back. He was tidy enough though and I'd like to see him get a good run in the team - we desperately need to inject some pace in the side. [b]Mansell[/b] gave an all-action display in midfield and looks the best option for that ball-winner role in the middle of the park. [b]O'Kane[/b] was the best player on the pitch by a country mile and it's clear he's going to be key for any success we have. Constantly coming deep, giving an option, recycling possession. Seldom did he take the wrong option with the ball and when he got himself forward he showed great composure in the final third. He is class, a joy to watch and I'll be shocked if he's here past January. [b]Morris[/b] looked a good enough player on the left, he reminds me of Carlisle in that he's solid enough at everything without being a match-winner in his own right. He gives balance to that left-hand side though, tracks back well, has a decent cross and I'd much rather have someone like Morris as opposed to [b]Stevens[/b], who is still woeful. His decision making and lack of discipline hasn't improved and I don't know why we gave him two years. A good bench option if we need a goal but nothing more, he should never be trusted to start football matches. [b]McPhee[/b] played a couple of different positions and looked alright, took his goal well. [b]Lathrope[/b] scored a nice long range strike with his first touch. [b]Halpin[/b] didn't have enough time to impress really. A loan move with a recall clause might be beneficial for him at this point, just so he can get a run of games.
[b]Howe[/b] impressed me. He's a chunky fella but I think that's his natural build. I'd worry if we started him together with [b]Kee[/b] as they're both very similar players who like to play with their back to goal. [b]Atieno[/b] looked OK but being honest he's not going to hit double figures this season and won't trouble FL defences. I think we need a striker with a bit of pace who can play on the shoulder of the last defender, but that's me being picky.
Overall I reckon we'll be alright. Despite the six goals its in attack where I'm most concerned. It's no coincidence that Oastler, Robertson and O'Kane were the three players to play a full 90 yesterday - on yesterday's evidence they looked the best players we have and they are a good base to work from. [/color]
