Pre-Season Games - Portugal

[Royal91]

108 108, we'll get the record, 108

lets hope so! the lads are playing well against solid opposition! i still feel if we brought in one more striker who can get 20 goals we will go up pretty much guaranteed.

This

Alf will get 40 goals

[ManchesterRoyals]

Alf will get 40 goals

Im not sure, im in two minds

[SCIAG]

Pog will get 72 and Blackman will get 23.

[higher]

Seems to be a promising vibe formulating in the royals camp. Real scope for serious uptimism.
Garn urzzz

[Royal91]

Alf will get 40 goals

Im not sure, im in two minds

On a serious note. I think the strike force is one player short for a 46 game campaign, But Alf, Blackman, Pog, Roberts and HRK should give us enough fire power until Jan. Then I think the club will reassess.

For me the squad is very strong and right now I couldn't pick my first 11 against the tractor boys.

[SCIAG]

I think people overestimate how big a squad needs to be.

In 05/06, we won the league comfortably. We overwhelmingly used three strikers, Long played a handful of matches, Cox made one substitute appearance, and SHunt played one game there.

In 11/12, as I remember we used four strikers.

We currently have Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre, Blackman and Samuel. Roberts is also around. At a push we could play a winger up front. At any rate, it looks very likely that we'll only play with one man up front. Unless we lose someone, then we have plenty of strikers.

[winchester_royal]

'Greed, and spending a load of money on a big-name striker with Pogrebnyak (and his wages) still on the books would be irresponsible

[Arnie_Pie]

I would love Pog to stay. He will cause mayhem against Championship defenders and score a load as well.

[ManchesterRoyals]

I would love Pog to stay. He will cause mayhem against Championship defenders and score a load as well.

Agree

But if he goes we will def need to replace him with a decent stricker

[Royal91]

I would love Pog to stay. He will cause mayhem against Championship defenders and score a load as well.

Agree

But if he goes we will def need to replace him with a decent stricker

I think this is what the BBC article was hinting today. AZ wants Pog to stay. Its a one out one in system now.

[ManchesterRoyals]

I would love Pog to stay. He will cause mayhem against Championship defenders and score a load as well.

Agree

But if he goes we will def need to replace him with a decent stricker

I think this is what the BBC article was hinting today. AZ wants Pog to stay. Its a one out one in system now.

Im happy with the squad but in the back of my mind i still think theres something missing

[LoyalRoyal22]

Sounds promising. I always thought Obita had ability. Surprised Brian never gave him a proper chance.

[sandman]

Sounds promising. I always thought Obita had ability. Surprised Brian never gave him a proper chance.

He wanted to but then the FL made the stupid decision to cut the number of subs down from 7 to 5 and the opportunity wasn't there.

[Ian Royal]

I think people overestimate how big a squad needs to be.


In 11/12, as I remember we used four strikers.

You remember wrong. We played HRK there for a couple of games early on, Long played at least once, plus Manset, Le Fondre, Hunt, Church and Roberts. I make that 7.

Delighted with a good result and another good run out against a decent side. And delighted to see ALF plundering goals at will, with Pog, Obita, Drenthe, McCleary & Williams all getting into the scoring act too this pre-season. (Plus Gorkss, but I'm not counting centrebacks as likely to get more than a couple).

Getting your strikers / attackers scoring in preseason is important IMO, I think it goes a long way to helping them get hitting it sweetly and having found their range for minute one of the campaign.

[The Rouge]

I would love Pog to stay. He will cause mayhem against Championship defenders and score a load as well.

Agree

But if he goes we will def need to replace him with a decent stricker

Someone who will never miss from 10 feet...

[madreadingfan]

I wouldn't get too hyped up about Obita. He always seems to have an amazing pre-season but hasn't really carried that form into competitive matches whilst out on loan. I really hope he does work out and get into the team this year but there is quite a bit of competition for his position. Would love it if he broke through though.

[pea]

I wouldn't get too hyped up about Obita. He always seems to have an amazing pre-season but hasn't really carried that form into competitive matches whilst out on loan. I really hope he does work out and get into the team this year but there is quite a bit of competition for his position. Would love it if he broke through though.

Been our best player the last two preseasons and been very good again, he's 19 now so would expect him to be getting some game time this season based on his performances but obviously he's only had this chance with HRK and Kebe out

[Irvinchangeyaname]

Im happy with the squad but in the back of my mind i still think theres something missing

For me it's having mostly the same defence who shipped too many goals last season and the same forward line that didn't score enough.

[Bucks Dave]

The only game I saw Obita play on loan was for Oldham against Everton in the Cup. He scored one, hit the post and ran them ragged.

[Ian Royal]

Im happy with the squad but in the back of my mind i still think theres something missing

For me it's having mostly the same defence who shipped too many goals last season and the same forward line that didn't score enough.

But also a better defence than kept many clean sheets and conceeded few goals the season before. And a better group to service the forwards and dominate midfield.