Blackpool v Barrow (friendly)

[mickmike wilson]

Not sure who B’pool have played so far but that was their 4th outing & only our 2nd & with all due respect to HOB, You could argue this was our 1st pre season friendly proper, So we are bound to be sluggish atm until everyone has played a few more competitive games & gels a bit, including any trailists.

[russell_anderson]

I thought Ollie Younger looked comfortable on the ball. The two Jones's look good signings as does Beadling and Lillis brings a lot of experience to the table. I'd say we are a lot stronger than this time last season considering Platt and Kay weren't even involved. I suppose that's the only bench mark would the team we can put out now be able to beat the side that finished last season ?

As far as I can see we've improved central defence because James Jones looks a lot better better than any of our reserve central defenders from last season and we've improved our attack as Luke James is better than any of the reserve strikers from last seasn. Mike Jones and Beadling look decent but are they as good as Rooney and White. We'll find out but I doubt it. Certainly Hardcastle looks our outstanding midfield player from what I saw in this match. All in all, I'd say our best team will be as good or slightly worse than last season but our reserve strength will be better.

[chipmunx]

i know they've played Southport and Port Vale (both away) and i think won them both.

[Robwez10]

Mike Jones is a great player in league 2

[Matty]

Rooney was phenomenal for us last season and it would be interesting to see how he would have performed with us, however there is a reason why he has spent most of his career at NL level whilst Jones has made a few hundred appearances in the EFL.

[mickmike wilson]

Rooney was phenomenal for us last season and it would be interesting to see how he would have performed with us, however there is a reason why he has spent most of his career at NL level whilst Jones has made a few hundred appearances in the EFL.

This & at least we cashed in on Roo both financially & with his goals etc.

Pity he never stayed as how could the TV miss out on the Rooney derby game

[russell_anderson]

Rooney was phenomenal for us last season and it would be interesting to see how he would have performed with us, however there is a reason why he has spent most of his career at NL level whilst Jones has made a few hundred appearances in the EFL.

I suspect the reason was that he played in teams where he spent most of his time watching the ball fly over his head. Evatt's style of play was made for Rooney. Even today against a League 1 team they hit many more long passes than did we and that will be even more apparent in League 2. I'm sure Mike Jones will be a very good player for us but I still expect Hardcastle to be our best midfielder. He's young and is improving all the time and it was noticeable today thay he gets around the pitch much better than any of our other midfielders.

[Alley_Cat]

I thought Blackpool were good and we were good enough. Their commentary summed it up, they allowed us to play it about our back four and only pressed us when we tried to take it in to midfield which explains why the possession wasn’t higher for them.

I was pleased, it’s great that we’re holding our own against L1 sides now

[JammyBluebird]

Rooney was phenomenal for us last season and it would be interesting to see how he would have performed with us, however there is a reason why he has spent most of his career at NL level whilst Jones has made a few hundred appearances in the EFL.

I suspect the reason was that he played in teams where he spent most of his time watching the ball fly over his head. Evatt's style of play was made for Rooney. Even today against a League 1 team they hit many more long passes than did we and that will be even more apparent in League 2. I'm sure Mike Jones will be a very good player for us but I still expect Hardcastle to be our best midfielder. He's young and is improving all the time and it was noticeable today thay he gets around the pitch much better than any of our other midfielders.

Rooney has a had a chance at every level from League 1 down and the MLS and only succeeded with us.

And then chose to chase money by dropping down again. Would rather have a player who wants to be here.

[Moribund]

Didn't we get stuffed 3-0 by Blackpool's second string last pre-season? There didn't look a gulf in class this time around.

Probably one or two gaps still to fill, but the team as a whole is much stronger this season.

[russell_anderson]

Didn't we get stuffed 3-0 by Blackpool's second string last pre-season? There didn't look a gulf in class this time around.

Probably one or two gaps still to fill, but the team as a whole is much stronger this season.

It might be debateable whether the team is slightly stronger, slightly weaker or the same as last season but ther is no way on earth that it's MUCH stronger or MUCH weaker.

[chipmunx]

Didn't we get stuffed 3-0 by Blackpool's second string last pre-season? There didn't look a gulf in class this time around.

Probably one or two gaps still to fill, but the team as a whole is much stronger this season.

It might be debateable whether the team is slightly stronger, slightly weaker or the same as last season but ther is no way on earth that it's MUCH stronger or MUCH weaker.

the squad is far stronger - if the EFL are sticking with 7 subs in the coming season then the bench this year would be stronger than 7 from last year

[Moribund]

Didn't we get stuffed 3-0 by Blackpool's second string last pre-season? There didn't look a gulf in class this time around.

Probably one or two gaps still to fill, but the team as a whole is much stronger this season.

It might be debateable whether the team is slightly stronger, slightly weaker or the same as last season but ther is no way on earth that it's MUCH stronger or MUCH weaker.

Everyone that has left has been replaced by a better player (possible exception of White). If we were going into the National League this season, we'd walk it.

[russell_anderson]

It might be debateable whether the team is slightly stronger, slightly weaker or the same as last season but ther is no way on earth that it's MUCH stronger or MUCH weaker.

Everyone that has left has been replaced by a better player (possible exception of White). If we were going into the National League this season, we'd walk it.

I did actually say that our reserve strength has improved but I still expect 8 or 9 of last season's team to be in our strongest side and I don't see Jones and Beadling being an improvement on Rooney and White even though I think they will be decent players. Certainly neither have the imagination or passing ability of Rooney and neither will score anywhere near the goals he did last season. However, you're welcome to your own opinions and time will tell.

[PerthBluebird]

Just lacked fitness today but it will come positive stuff be smashing county derby soon enough