So that's that done and dusted.
Pre-season is officially over, and now we can get into gear for the proper stuff to start at Gillingham on Saturday.
Tonight's game with the Glenn Hoddle Academy was an entertaining end to a month of friendlies which started dodgily and ended strongly ... which is just what pre-seasons should do.
The 4-2 defeat against Mr Hoddle's group of discarded players from clubs such as Watford, Millwall, Fulham and QPR was a worthwile exercise as it got 90 minutes into our fringe players, and an hour into some who will play a part somewhere on Saturday.
We started with Brad Poole in goal, Kyle Haynes, Harry Hooman, Matt Williams and Sido Jombati across the back, with Junior Smikle, Russ Penn, Dave Bird and Bagasan Graham in midfield, while Theo Lewis played just off Darryl Duffy.
The only recognisable face in the GHA side was David Hutton - still only 5' 3" tall and three stone dripping wet, but you could see that being under the wing of Mr Hoddle had improved his touch and awareness.
The Academy scored four fantastic goals as the sandwich to ours, scored t the start and end of the game by Matt Williams and Junior Smikle.
Williams touched in a Dave Bird corner but George Thompson rifled in a 25-yarder midway through the half to level for the GHA.
We started well and I thought it was going to be a one-sided game when Williams scored, but the GHA settled and passed the ball superbly in their Brazil kit.
They played a very flexible, ever-changing formation with players turning up all over the place - doing the website commentary was tough work as it was hard to keep track of who was playing where from one minute to the next.
The GHA players were good athletes and had technical ability. They looked to pass and move - which was fine in a training game on our nice surface, but you wonder what they would do on a wet Tuesday at Accrington against full-blooded League Two defenders or midfielders.
For our part, we struggled to get much service to Darryl Duffy, who was very isolated, only having one header which he put wide in the second half to show for his 75 minute outing.
Theo Lewis was most effective when he dropped deeper, while Dave Bird's corners, all of which seemed attracted to Matt Williams' head, were our best chance of scoring.
Kyle Haynes tried to get forward when he could, but bar the cross for Duffy's header mentioned above, he struggled with his delivery.
On the other side, I thought Bagasan Graham and Sido Jombati linked up quite well, Bagasan again using his directness to get crosses in and looked to attack his full-back every time.
Matt Williams and Harry Hooman started well, but were caught out a couple of times for the third and fourth GHA goals.
We started the second half quite well with Dave Bird having a long-range shot saved but fell behind to an incredible goal when Alex Fisher lobbed brilliantly over Brad Poole from inside the centre-circle, fully 50 yards out.
It was an incredible goal and Lathan Forrester outpaced Williams to chip Poole from 20 yards for the third, then Jay Folkes ran through after our corner was cleared to him and smacked in the fourth. These guys were not into tap-ins!
Junior Smikle's cross evaded everyone to go in for a consolation and it was a good, entertaining game - with absolutely no bearing on Saturday's game at Gillingham.
Russ Penn played for an hour, simply to get game time into his legs, and he will start, as will everyone else (bar Gallinagh and Pook...) who was not out there tonight.
After the game, Neil Howarth revealed that he is extremely confident Luke Summerfield will be added to the squad by Saturday, which is a massive bonus.
Along with Russ Penn and Marlon Pack, it gives us a cracking midfield trio, and with Dave Bird as well a plethora of options.
If Summerfield signs, I see him competing with Kaid Mohamed for a start at Priestfield - and I reckon Luke will get the nod, as a more solid option.
Away from home, I see Kaid as an impact player against tiring legs for the last 20-30 minutes.
Duffy's run out tonight makes it more certain that Jeff Goulding and Jimmy Spencer will start up top on Saturday.
While categorically ruling out registering Steve Book to sit on the bench, Neil Howarth also hinted that, with the new five-sub rule, we may opt to go without a sub keeper on Saturday, and if that is the case, I can see the bench being something like Sido Jombati, Brian Smikle, Kaid Mohamed, Darryl Duffy and maybe Dave Bird.
That is a strong-looking bench with plenty of options and a couple of go-to men for Mark Yates if things don't go to plan - or if they do and he wants to shore things up.
Mark wanted a squad which ensured the team does not pick himself, and to his credit it seems that he has gone out and assembled one - bar the goalkeeping position.
We have been told a loan keeper is in the pipeline, widely believed to be Wigan's Lee Nicholls, and I would hope this is still the case as Scott Brown needs the competition.
Nicholls is in Colombia on the bench for England Under-20s, who play their final World Cup group game against Mexico on Thursday.
A win (or, with other results in favour, a draw) will see them through, and could delay his arrival for a week or two
Defeat, a flight home and a rubber stamping of the deal could see him here maybe for MK Dons or, more likely, Swindon a week on Saturday.
That would complete our squad and round off what, after a slow and slightly worrying start, would make it a summer of 12 signings, which is remarkable.
It has really got the optimism going for the season, and I can't wait for Saturday now.
Come on you Rubies...
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Making a splash at Bath
IF this turns out to be (thanks to West Brom preferring Greece to Whaddon) our final pre-season run-out, then it ended on a good note at Twerton Park.
After a slow start we gradually moved through the gears and scored some well-worked goals against a Bath side who seemed to wilt in the sunshine after a promising start.
Mark Yates started with the same side which opened up against Walsall, bar a rest for Kaid Mohamed, maybe to save him from the baying Bath hordes still angry at his departure, replaced by the returning Russ Penn.
It was Penn who was the focal point for those early exchanges as he looked determined to make up for his absence in recent games by leaving his mark (at times fairly literally) on the game.
His running battle with the equally bald and equally battle-hardened Lewis Hogg brightened up a drab opening to the game and showed us what Penn is about and what he will bring to our side.
He lined up in midfield alongside Marlon Pack, who was also not backwards in coming forwards early on with some spicy challenges, Luke Summerfield and Josh Low, the four of them flitting around left, right and centre.
Summerfield was having his third game for us and in a conversation with some of our fans afterwards Yatesy compared him with a guy who spent the game in the opposing dugout, the great Lee Howells.
High praise indeed - and yet more evidence of an impending contract offer - 'watch this space' was the answer my post-match question on the subject received.
Defensively, we lined up with Keith Lowe, Alan Bennett, Steve Elliott and Danny Andrew in front of Scott Brown, so that looks nailed on for the back five at Priestfield in a week's time.
They looked solid enough.
The clean sheet (a first of pre-season) was a welcome boost, and there were signs of the Elliott-Bennett partnership dovetailing well, three one-on-one blocks the sum total of Scott Brown's work being evidence of the good job done by those in front of him.
Up front, Jeff Goulding started with Jimmy Spencer and these two are favourites for Kent with Darryl Duffy having not yet had 90 minutes - though it was good to see him come on and score.
Apart from all the Penn-Hogg shenanigans, a shot wide from Marlon Pack and a Bath substitution forced by Gethin Jones' injury was about it for the opening 40 minutes, until we took the lead.
Keith Lowe's deep cross was headed back from the far post by Jeff Goulding, and Josh Low controlled it and finished from about eight yards.
Danny Andrew had to go off early in the second half with a bit of blurred vision, with Sido Jombati coming on against his old club and not looking out of place.
The second half was one of pretty much total Cheltenham domination and I thought at times we played some good stuff, putting some slick moves together.
Jimmy Spencer headed on to the roof of the net before he went off along with Russ Penn on the hour mark, Junior Smikle and Darryl Duffy coming on.
Soon after Keith Lowe had a goal disallowed for offside then Duffy should have done better with a free header from a Jombati cross - it seemed a second goal and more had to come.
It took until the 76th minute though, Keith Lowe and Junior Smikle linking up with Josh Low, who sent Marlon Pack away to round the keeper and slot in.
It was good to see Marlon get a goal, but I thought, of the Pack, Penn, Summerfield trio, he was the least effective overall.
A minute later, Jeff Goulding's diagonal ball sent Darryl Duffy away, and he intelligently waited for support, which arrived from Josh Low, who smashed in the pull back for his third in two games.
Goals from midfield were sparse last season, so hopefully this is a sign that we may get some more from these areas this term.
Players like Low, Pack, Penn, Summerfield and Smikle should definitely aim for at least five goals each - more in some cases.
A very pleasing half ended well when another good move saw Goulding find Jombati on the left and another good cross from him was headed back by Smikle for Duffy to tap in from a couple of yards.
A significant moment for the Scotsman, who said afterwards that we should not expect him to score his goals from much further out than that - to be honest, he can score as many as he likes from two yards out!
Summerfield, Low and Goulding went off just before the end, Theo Lewis, Dave Bird and Bags Graham coming on, and four goals and a clean sheet made it just about the perfect afternoon.
So if that is to be the last pre-season outing, then it is good to go to Gillingham with two successive wins and seven goals under our belts having fielded what looks like our season-starting side for the majority of the games.
The back five, as I said before, looks nailed on, with Alan Bennett as captain.
Goulding and Spencer are probably the front pair for Kent - the only dilemma left being in midfield I would guess.
If Luke Summerfield signs this week - and the indications seem to be strong that he will - then Mark has to decide whether to play him with Pack and Penn, or go for two of them with Josh Low on the right, and either Kaid or Junior Smikle on the left.
Decisions, decisions - I would go for Low, Pack, Penn and Kaid to go there and have a go at Gillingham, but I am worried about Kaid tracking back enough to help out Danny Andrew, and maybe leaving him a bit exposed.
Whatever happens, by this time next week, the ruby-clad Robins will have had their first proper outing, and we will get the first inkling of what we can expect in the next 10 months.
The countdown begins now.
After a slow start we gradually moved through the gears and scored some well-worked goals against a Bath side who seemed to wilt in the sunshine after a promising start.
Mark Yates started with the same side which opened up against Walsall, bar a rest for Kaid Mohamed, maybe to save him from the baying Bath hordes still angry at his departure, replaced by the returning Russ Penn.
It was Penn who was the focal point for those early exchanges as he looked determined to make up for his absence in recent games by leaving his mark (at times fairly literally) on the game.
His running battle with the equally bald and equally battle-hardened Lewis Hogg brightened up a drab opening to the game and showed us what Penn is about and what he will bring to our side.
He lined up in midfield alongside Marlon Pack, who was also not backwards in coming forwards early on with some spicy challenges, Luke Summerfield and Josh Low, the four of them flitting around left, right and centre.
Summerfield was having his third game for us and in a conversation with some of our fans afterwards Yatesy compared him with a guy who spent the game in the opposing dugout, the great Lee Howells.
High praise indeed - and yet more evidence of an impending contract offer - 'watch this space' was the answer my post-match question on the subject received.
Defensively, we lined up with Keith Lowe, Alan Bennett, Steve Elliott and Danny Andrew in front of Scott Brown, so that looks nailed on for the back five at Priestfield in a week's time.
They looked solid enough.
The clean sheet (a first of pre-season) was a welcome boost, and there were signs of the Elliott-Bennett partnership dovetailing well, three one-on-one blocks the sum total of Scott Brown's work being evidence of the good job done by those in front of him.
Up front, Jeff Goulding started with Jimmy Spencer and these two are favourites for Kent with Darryl Duffy having not yet had 90 minutes - though it was good to see him come on and score.
Apart from all the Penn-Hogg shenanigans, a shot wide from Marlon Pack and a Bath substitution forced by Gethin Jones' injury was about it for the opening 40 minutes, until we took the lead.
Keith Lowe's deep cross was headed back from the far post by Jeff Goulding, and Josh Low controlled it and finished from about eight yards.
Danny Andrew had to go off early in the second half with a bit of blurred vision, with Sido Jombati coming on against his old club and not looking out of place.
The second half was one of pretty much total Cheltenham domination and I thought at times we played some good stuff, putting some slick moves together.
Jimmy Spencer headed on to the roof of the net before he went off along with Russ Penn on the hour mark, Junior Smikle and Darryl Duffy coming on.
Soon after Keith Lowe had a goal disallowed for offside then Duffy should have done better with a free header from a Jombati cross - it seemed a second goal and more had to come.
It took until the 76th minute though, Keith Lowe and Junior Smikle linking up with Josh Low, who sent Marlon Pack away to round the keeper and slot in.
It was good to see Marlon get a goal, but I thought, of the Pack, Penn, Summerfield trio, he was the least effective overall.
A minute later, Jeff Goulding's diagonal ball sent Darryl Duffy away, and he intelligently waited for support, which arrived from Josh Low, who smashed in the pull back for his third in two games.
Goals from midfield were sparse last season, so hopefully this is a sign that we may get some more from these areas this term.
Players like Low, Pack, Penn, Summerfield and Smikle should definitely aim for at least five goals each - more in some cases.
A very pleasing half ended well when another good move saw Goulding find Jombati on the left and another good cross from him was headed back by Smikle for Duffy to tap in from a couple of yards.
A significant moment for the Scotsman, who said afterwards that we should not expect him to score his goals from much further out than that - to be honest, he can score as many as he likes from two yards out!
Summerfield, Low and Goulding went off just before the end, Theo Lewis, Dave Bird and Bags Graham coming on, and four goals and a clean sheet made it just about the perfect afternoon.
So if that is to be the last pre-season outing, then it is good to go to Gillingham with two successive wins and seven goals under our belts having fielded what looks like our season-starting side for the majority of the games.
The back five, as I said before, looks nailed on, with Alan Bennett as captain.
Goulding and Spencer are probably the front pair for Kent - the only dilemma left being in midfield I would guess.
If Luke Summerfield signs this week - and the indications seem to be strong that he will - then Mark has to decide whether to play him with Pack and Penn, or go for two of them with Josh Low on the right, and either Kaid or Junior Smikle on the left.
Decisions, decisions - I would go for Low, Pack, Penn and Kaid to go there and have a go at Gillingham, but I am worried about Kaid tracking back enough to help out Danny Andrew, and maybe leaving him a bit exposed.
Whatever happens, by this time next week, the ruby-clad Robins will have had their first proper outing, and we will get the first inkling of what we can expect in the next 10 months.
The countdown begins now.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Heading for the exit door??
It is an inevitable part of football that players will come and go from clubs.
Some of them you will be quite happy to see the back of, wondering as they get their P45s how on earth they were given a professional contract in the first place.
Others are prised away by other clubs when their contracts run out and, while that can be annoying, it is something fans have learned to put up with - as long as players coming in to replace them are of equal or better quality.
Others just find themselves out of the picture for whatever reason, and rather than cheating their club by picking up the money for nothing, their professional pride tells them to see what other opportunities are out there.
The summer at Whaddon Road has been one of transition. After a season of picking up the pieces and a campaign of two halves with a good start and dire finish, Mark Yates has made some big decisions.
He has been given the leeway from somewhere to bring in nine players while only six have gone - and built a more competitive squad of 22 - with maybe still more to come.
But with only 16 places in a matchday squad, some are going to find themselves in the stand on a regular basis, with only reserve games at Seasons for their match practice.
A club like Cheltenham cannot afford to have too many players in that position, and the players can react in two ways.
Either they sit on their hands and take the money or they show some professional pride and if someone offers them a chance to play regular, competitive football, they listen to what they have to say.
Andy Gallinagh clearly falls into the latter category as an approach from a club to speak to him about a move - permanent or loan we are not sure yet - has been met with a wish to have discussions.
He is not being forced to speak to them or told he has to leave, Mark Yates seems to have been honest and said he will not be in the starting line-up, so Andy has made the decision to see what's on offer.
Andy has been a dependable squad player in his seven years with us and have never let the team down in whatever position he has been asked to play, right back, centre back, central midfield - even left back a few times.
But looking at the squad now, it is hard to see where he will get a game on a regular basis.
Alan Bennett is set to be our new captain, and he and Steve Elliott look nailed on to start at centre half.
Then young Harry Hooman has been given a contract and looked impressive in the friendlies - certainly not out of place.
At 6' 3" Harry has a big height advantage over Gallers and also seems a bit quicker. Don't forget also that Mark Yates could always move Keith Lowe across from right back to fill in as well. Big competition there.
Gallers started with us as a right back, but has hardly played there for the first team, as the likes of Jerry Gill and now Keith Lowe were first choices in that role.
Lowe will start there, and we also have Kyle Haynes, eager for the chance to fulfill his potential, new signing Sido Jombati says his best position is also right back, and Dave Bird can play there as well so that seems to close another door for Andy.
He played a number of games in a midfield role, as a holding player or one of a two-man central midfield, but there is no way he will get in there ahead of Russ Penn or Marlon Pack (and Luke Summerfield come to that, if we sign him), while a holding role is more likely to go to Dave Bird.
Even a bench place may be difficult - yes he is versatile, but Sido Jombati can play all the way along the back four and in midfield, so he might get the nod for the 'Jack of all trades' role.
Fans never like to see their favourite players go, and from the reaction to news that Andy might leave some are not happy about it.
But then again, some fans simply do not like change - if some Cheltenham fans had their way we would still have Damian Spencer up front, just because he tries hard.
Andy seems to have a lot of fans because they perceive that he tries hard, wears his heart on his sleeve, plays for the shirt and the like.
That is true, he does all those things, but trying hard is not always enough.
Andy has never been a regular starter in the side (20 starts last season) and with even more players coming in to play in his positions it was inevitable he would be under even more pressure for a place.
Fans are pointing to his role in our good start to last season, winning two player of the month awards, and yes, he did have a good early part of the season. But so did many others, Thomas and Goulding up front, Keith Lowe at right back, Marlon Pack in midfield.
At times last season he was consigned to the bench, Mark Yates even opting to play loan signing Ashley Eastham ahead of him.
Overall he has been part of a defensive unit which has let in too many goals in the past two seasons (even though Scott Brown seems to be the only one who gets the blame for that) - and at the end of last term gave away penalties at Crewe, Burton and Stockport.
Our defence needed attention in the summer and to be improved and that is what Mark Yates is trying to do, and it means some players have to be sacrificed along the way to try to make us better.
In my opinion, if Andy has to leave (hopefully for a small fee as he is under contract) to finance a player like Luke Summerfield being signed, a midfield player with Championship experience who would definitely improve the squad, then so be it.
He may not be the last one to go - I can see Theo Lewis, Kyle Haynes and Ethan Moore having loan spells elsewhere, and maybe even Bagasan Graham, unless he gets a place in the 16.
It will not be a cakewalk for players like Brian Smikle and Dave Bird to get in the 16 either, which shows the improved quality of the squad, as Smikle played a part in every game last year and Bird made 27 starts.
Fans want better players, a better squad and better results. That is not achieved by keeping players out of sentiment, because they have been loyal or because they try hard.
It may be hard for some fans to accept, but it is the reality of football these days.
Some of them you will be quite happy to see the back of, wondering as they get their P45s how on earth they were given a professional contract in the first place.
Others are prised away by other clubs when their contracts run out and, while that can be annoying, it is something fans have learned to put up with - as long as players coming in to replace them are of equal or better quality.
Others just find themselves out of the picture for whatever reason, and rather than cheating their club by picking up the money for nothing, their professional pride tells them to see what other opportunities are out there.
The summer at Whaddon Road has been one of transition. After a season of picking up the pieces and a campaign of two halves with a good start and dire finish, Mark Yates has made some big decisions.
He has been given the leeway from somewhere to bring in nine players while only six have gone - and built a more competitive squad of 22 - with maybe still more to come.
But with only 16 places in a matchday squad, some are going to find themselves in the stand on a regular basis, with only reserve games at Seasons for their match practice.
A club like Cheltenham cannot afford to have too many players in that position, and the players can react in two ways.
Either they sit on their hands and take the money or they show some professional pride and if someone offers them a chance to play regular, competitive football, they listen to what they have to say.
Andy Gallinagh clearly falls into the latter category as an approach from a club to speak to him about a move - permanent or loan we are not sure yet - has been met with a wish to have discussions.
He is not being forced to speak to them or told he has to leave, Mark Yates seems to have been honest and said he will not be in the starting line-up, so Andy has made the decision to see what's on offer.
Andy has been a dependable squad player in his seven years with us and have never let the team down in whatever position he has been asked to play, right back, centre back, central midfield - even left back a few times.
But looking at the squad now, it is hard to see where he will get a game on a regular basis.
Alan Bennett is set to be our new captain, and he and Steve Elliott look nailed on to start at centre half.
Then young Harry Hooman has been given a contract and looked impressive in the friendlies - certainly not out of place.
At 6' 3" Harry has a big height advantage over Gallers and also seems a bit quicker. Don't forget also that Mark Yates could always move Keith Lowe across from right back to fill in as well. Big competition there.
Gallers started with us as a right back, but has hardly played there for the first team, as the likes of Jerry Gill and now Keith Lowe were first choices in that role.
Lowe will start there, and we also have Kyle Haynes, eager for the chance to fulfill his potential, new signing Sido Jombati says his best position is also right back, and Dave Bird can play there as well so that seems to close another door for Andy.
He played a number of games in a midfield role, as a holding player or one of a two-man central midfield, but there is no way he will get in there ahead of Russ Penn or Marlon Pack (and Luke Summerfield come to that, if we sign him), while a holding role is more likely to go to Dave Bird.
Even a bench place may be difficult - yes he is versatile, but Sido Jombati can play all the way along the back four and in midfield, so he might get the nod for the 'Jack of all trades' role.
Fans never like to see their favourite players go, and from the reaction to news that Andy might leave some are not happy about it.
But then again, some fans simply do not like change - if some Cheltenham fans had their way we would still have Damian Spencer up front, just because he tries hard.
Andy seems to have a lot of fans because they perceive that he tries hard, wears his heart on his sleeve, plays for the shirt and the like.
That is true, he does all those things, but trying hard is not always enough.
Andy has never been a regular starter in the side (20 starts last season) and with even more players coming in to play in his positions it was inevitable he would be under even more pressure for a place.
Fans are pointing to his role in our good start to last season, winning two player of the month awards, and yes, he did have a good early part of the season. But so did many others, Thomas and Goulding up front, Keith Lowe at right back, Marlon Pack in midfield.
At times last season he was consigned to the bench, Mark Yates even opting to play loan signing Ashley Eastham ahead of him.
Overall he has been part of a defensive unit which has let in too many goals in the past two seasons (even though Scott Brown seems to be the only one who gets the blame for that) - and at the end of last term gave away penalties at Crewe, Burton and Stockport.
Our defence needed attention in the summer and to be improved and that is what Mark Yates is trying to do, and it means some players have to be sacrificed along the way to try to make us better.
In my opinion, if Andy has to leave (hopefully for a small fee as he is under contract) to finance a player like Luke Summerfield being signed, a midfield player with Championship experience who would definitely improve the squad, then so be it.
He may not be the last one to go - I can see Theo Lewis, Kyle Haynes and Ethan Moore having loan spells elsewhere, and maybe even Bagasan Graham, unless he gets a place in the 16.
It will not be a cakewalk for players like Brian Smikle and Dave Bird to get in the 16 either, which shows the improved quality of the squad, as Smikle played a part in every game last year and Bird made 27 starts.
Fans want better players, a better squad and better results. That is not achieved by keeping players out of sentiment, because they have been loyal or because they try hard.
It may be hard for some fans to accept, but it is the reality of football these days.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Saddlers are unsaddled
Repeat after me ... pre-season results don't matter... pre-season results don't matter... pre-season results don't matter...
That may be the case, but after three defeats and two draws in the first five games, there will have been more than a tinge of relief around following the 3-2 win over Walsall.
We scored three good, well-worked goals and despite conceding a couple we could have had a few more and I would hope that some who have formed their opinions of the squad from the pre-season results alone have at least started to change their opinions.
Of course, one win over a side who will once again be down at the bottom end of League One does not turn us from bookies' relegation favourites into certs for the top three - but it will hopefully show some people all too quick to write us off that they may have been a little hasty.
Thanks to Ed Young hitting the winning six to see off Essex at the College at around 7pm, it turned into a double winning evening as I was able to rock up to the Theatre of Shattered Dreams in time for kick-off without missing the end of the cricket.
Mark Yates' team selection was an interesting one, with the back five of Scott Brown, Keith Lowe, Alan Bennett, Steve Elliott and Danny Andrew likely to be the quintet to start at Gillingham in a couple of weeks.
Josh Low and Kaid Mohamed were out wide, with Marlon Pack and trialist Luke Summerfield in midfield - again a good indication for Priestfield, with maybe Russ Penn for Summerfield the only change here.
That is of course unless we sign Summerfield before then - and the indications I got from Mark's post-match interview and from conversations with others within the club that they will find out what sort of deal he is looking for, and will try to find the money to do so if possible.
Jimmy Spencer and Jeff Goulding were partnered up front, and showed they can play together, so throw Darryl Duffy into the mix, and you can perm any two from those three for the Medway mayhem coming up.
Interestingly, youth teamer Brad Poole was in the bench as the backup keeper, and we found out afterwards that Mike Green was playing for another team, and that the Premiership loanee (rumoured to be Lee Nicholls of Wigan) is 'still in the pipeline'.
Absent from the bench was Andy Gallinagh (ill) and Michael Pook - 'not in my plans' were the manager's words on that one -
Summerfield for Pook in the squad would be a very welcome switch. He showed some touches of class - notably one superb 40-yard crossfield ball to Kaid Mohamed - but also wanted to get stuck in with good box to box energy and is clearly fit after his second 90 minutes in four days.
There is no doubt that he would greatly improve the quality and competition in central midfield - being able to choose from him, Marlon Pack and Russ Penn would be just the competition Mark wants - and has in other areas of the team.
The other stars of the night were on the flanks, with Josh Low having his 'game head' well and truly on, and Kaid Mohamed providing pace and trickery down the left.
They both got a deserved goal, and were at the heart of creating the rest of our best chances, even though it was Danny Andrew's cross which set Jimmy Spencer up for the opener.
That was a trademark whipped-in left foot centre, and Spencer got there to take advantage of some suspect keeping from David Grof to slide the ball home. Yes, a striker called Spencer scored a goal for Cheltenham...
As at Newport on Saturday, Spencer was all hustle and bustle, showing good strength and awareness - it is hard to think he is only 19 as he looks like and plays like someone much older.
On the current evidence he is a cut above some of the other loanees we have had of a similar age.
The Walsall equaliser came from a cross again, well finished at the far post, and I am sure some will use it as another chance to criticise Scott Brown, but the ball was lost in midfield, then we failed to stop the cross and Alex Nicholls had enough time to control, cut inside, and finish. Collective responsibility...
But it didn't put us off our passing, movement and quick-tempo game.
Spencer could have had a second after great link-up play between Goulding (hard-working and impressive again) and Pack (his usual languid self - he just seems to have so much time on the ball), while Kaid could have had a goal if he had a left foot... but he soon made up for it.
On the stroke of half-time he danced into the box and tricked his way past a couple of challenges to score a goal which I am sure will be a big confidence boost to him.
It certainly fired him up for the second half as he was almost unplayable down the left, leaving defenders for dead on several occasions to set up chances, one of which was laid off by Spencer for Josh Low to finish well.
Kaid's signing had a few critics - myself included - but judging by the fantastic ovation he got when he came off, his performance certainly impressed most of those watching, and it was his name on peoples' lips in the bar afterwards.
However, I remain to be convinced he will start at Gillingham, mainly because he does not seem to be keen on tracking back, and that may leave Danny Andrew too exposed to the flying right wingers who caused him so many problems and cost us many goals last season - I still feel Junior Smikle may get the nod on opening day.
Darryl Duffy came on for Jimmy Spencer and put himself about well again. He nearly set Josh Low up for an audacious goal - his chip hitting the bar - before Jamie Paterson threaded in a shot with a good finish for a slightly flattering 3-2 result.
While Kaid and Josh Low got the plaudits, it was a good performance from everyone - difficult to find a weak link.
Defensively we were okay. Scott Brown's handling and kicking were fine, Keith Lowe defied his new 1960s comb-over hairstyle to have another good game, with Alan Bennett and Steve Elliott solid enough and Danny Andrew was also steady, setting up the first goal.
All in all, that performance will have greatly raised the optimism levels on the terraces, and Mark's wheeling and dealing this summer, backed well again by the board, has definitely left us looking stronger.
But most importantly, it has left us with a proper squad - we now seem to have 19 or 20 players who could all do a job at this level, not 11 or 12 backed up by bits and pieces players who will just have to slot in.
A good night yes, and good performance with some good goals. And we won the cricket too.
But remember... pre-season results don't matter... pre-season results don't matter... pre-season results don't matter...
That may be the case, but after three defeats and two draws in the first five games, there will have been more than a tinge of relief around following the 3-2 win over Walsall.
We scored three good, well-worked goals and despite conceding a couple we could have had a few more and I would hope that some who have formed their opinions of the squad from the pre-season results alone have at least started to change their opinions.
Of course, one win over a side who will once again be down at the bottom end of League One does not turn us from bookies' relegation favourites into certs for the top three - but it will hopefully show some people all too quick to write us off that they may have been a little hasty.
Thanks to Ed Young hitting the winning six to see off Essex at the College at around 7pm, it turned into a double winning evening as I was able to rock up to the Theatre of Shattered Dreams in time for kick-off without missing the end of the cricket.
Mark Yates' team selection was an interesting one, with the back five of Scott Brown, Keith Lowe, Alan Bennett, Steve Elliott and Danny Andrew likely to be the quintet to start at Gillingham in a couple of weeks.
Josh Low and Kaid Mohamed were out wide, with Marlon Pack and trialist Luke Summerfield in midfield - again a good indication for Priestfield, with maybe Russ Penn for Summerfield the only change here.
That is of course unless we sign Summerfield before then - and the indications I got from Mark's post-match interview and from conversations with others within the club that they will find out what sort of deal he is looking for, and will try to find the money to do so if possible.
Jimmy Spencer and Jeff Goulding were partnered up front, and showed they can play together, so throw Darryl Duffy into the mix, and you can perm any two from those three for the Medway mayhem coming up.
Interestingly, youth teamer Brad Poole was in the bench as the backup keeper, and we found out afterwards that Mike Green was playing for another team, and that the Premiership loanee (rumoured to be Lee Nicholls of Wigan) is 'still in the pipeline'.
Absent from the bench was Andy Gallinagh (ill) and Michael Pook - 'not in my plans' were the manager's words on that one -
Summerfield for Pook in the squad would be a very welcome switch. He showed some touches of class - notably one superb 40-yard crossfield ball to Kaid Mohamed - but also wanted to get stuck in with good box to box energy and is clearly fit after his second 90 minutes in four days.
There is no doubt that he would greatly improve the quality and competition in central midfield - being able to choose from him, Marlon Pack and Russ Penn would be just the competition Mark wants - and has in other areas of the team.
The other stars of the night were on the flanks, with Josh Low having his 'game head' well and truly on, and Kaid Mohamed providing pace and trickery down the left.
They both got a deserved goal, and were at the heart of creating the rest of our best chances, even though it was Danny Andrew's cross which set Jimmy Spencer up for the opener.
That was a trademark whipped-in left foot centre, and Spencer got there to take advantage of some suspect keeping from David Grof to slide the ball home. Yes, a striker called Spencer scored a goal for Cheltenham...
As at Newport on Saturday, Spencer was all hustle and bustle, showing good strength and awareness - it is hard to think he is only 19 as he looks like and plays like someone much older.
On the current evidence he is a cut above some of the other loanees we have had of a similar age.
The Walsall equaliser came from a cross again, well finished at the far post, and I am sure some will use it as another chance to criticise Scott Brown, but the ball was lost in midfield, then we failed to stop the cross and Alex Nicholls had enough time to control, cut inside, and finish. Collective responsibility...
But it didn't put us off our passing, movement and quick-tempo game.
Spencer could have had a second after great link-up play between Goulding (hard-working and impressive again) and Pack (his usual languid self - he just seems to have so much time on the ball), while Kaid could have had a goal if he had a left foot... but he soon made up for it.
On the stroke of half-time he danced into the box and tricked his way past a couple of challenges to score a goal which I am sure will be a big confidence boost to him.
It certainly fired him up for the second half as he was almost unplayable down the left, leaving defenders for dead on several occasions to set up chances, one of which was laid off by Spencer for Josh Low to finish well.
Kaid's signing had a few critics - myself included - but judging by the fantastic ovation he got when he came off, his performance certainly impressed most of those watching, and it was his name on peoples' lips in the bar afterwards.
However, I remain to be convinced he will start at Gillingham, mainly because he does not seem to be keen on tracking back, and that may leave Danny Andrew too exposed to the flying right wingers who caused him so many problems and cost us many goals last season - I still feel Junior Smikle may get the nod on opening day.
Darryl Duffy came on for Jimmy Spencer and put himself about well again. He nearly set Josh Low up for an audacious goal - his chip hitting the bar - before Jamie Paterson threaded in a shot with a good finish for a slightly flattering 3-2 result.
While Kaid and Josh Low got the plaudits, it was a good performance from everyone - difficult to find a weak link.
Defensively we were okay. Scott Brown's handling and kicking were fine, Keith Lowe defied his new 1960s comb-over hairstyle to have another good game, with Alan Bennett and Steve Elliott solid enough and Danny Andrew was also steady, setting up the first goal.
All in all, that performance will have greatly raised the optimism levels on the terraces, and Mark's wheeling and dealing this summer, backed well again by the board, has definitely left us looking stronger.
But most importantly, it has left us with a proper squad - we now seem to have 19 or 20 players who could all do a job at this level, not 11 or 12 backed up by bits and pieces players who will just have to slot in.
A good night yes, and good performance with some good goals. And we won the cricket too.
But remember... pre-season results don't matter... pre-season results don't matter... pre-season results don't matter...
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Over the border
After an interesting and exciting week, including an encouraging performance against Bristol City and the arrival of two strikers, it was off to Wales for pre-season outing number five.
But unfortunately we were unable to end our look for a pre-season win, as Ismail Yakubu's 58th minute header gave Newport a 1-0 win, and Mark Yates was left disappointed with the performance, especially in the second half.
Having negotiated a Newport club official who has already secured the award as Jobsworth of the Season, the performance was not as bad as Stourbridge and I felt we passed the ball well at times, but gave it away a bit too often and seemed to be lacking a little in urgency.
Despite the debuts of James Spencer and Darryl Duffy, paired together in the first half, the most worrying part of the display was the lack of goal threat - but it's a bit harsh to blame Spencer, who only arrived from Huddersfield on Friday, and Duffy, who only arrived the day before.
As well as our new strike force, we saw the return of Sido Jombati after injury, playing at right back, and Steve Elliott came in to the heart of the defence for his first pre-season outing.
In goal there was nother game for Mike Green, while Kyle Haynes moved to left back with Andy Gallinagh alongside Elliott, while Junior Smikle and Bagasan Graham took up the wide roles and Dave Bird was partnered in central midfield by Luke Summerfield.
Summerfield is another triallist, recently released by Plymouth (where he still lives) and who has had trial spells this summer with Doncaster and Shrewsbury.
He has been down in Wales with the squad for the past few days and may also be training with us on Monday and could be back against Walsall on Tuesday.
He showed a few neat touches in mdfield and also showed he likes a tackle with one particularly heavy challenge in the second half which was probably borne out of tiredness - as he did fade out of the game after the break.
In the first half, we were neat and tidy, and I felt Dave Bird was probably the pick for us, while Bagasan Graham was a threat down the left, showing not only some good trickery but also a healthy appetite for tracking back on occasions.
Steve Elliott looked fit enough, winning his usual share of headers, while Sido Jombati looked to get forward and linked up quite well with Junior Smikle down the right hand side.
Of the front pair, James Spencer was busy, showing good mobility and strength, while Duffy looked to get down the channels and at times displayed good touch and hold-up play.
But we didn't get to see the pair of them where it matters most, in the box,and we failed to get sufficient service into them where it matters most, but that will come with time and as they settle in and get used to the players around them.
Half-time saw three changes, with Elliott, Bird and Duffy being withdrawn in favour of Harry Hooman, Theo Lewis and Jeff Goulding, but we never really got going after the break.
Mike Green - who could be playing himself into Mark Yates' thoughts as Scott Brown's competition - made a great save from his own player Sido Jombati's header.
Jombati made a great block before Yakubu's goal, a header from Danny Rose's cross, which had been coming as Newport started the second half better.
James Spencer went off in the hour as Kaid Mohamed came on, while Josh Low replaced Junior Smikle, before Danny Andrew and Keith Lowe replaced Kyle Haynes and Sido Jombati.
We then suffered a blow when Jeff Goulding collided with Andy Gallinagh, and after trying to play on, limped off with knee injury to be replaced by Marlon Pack.
So that left us with Kaid Mohamed and Theo Lewis up front, but we never looked like getting back into the game. The closest we came in the second half was a Goulding cross which Lewis nearly got on the end of just before Newport's goal.
But it was a third defeat in five pre-season games, and we did not see Alan Bennett or Scott Brown - while Michael Pook was not in the squad at all, and it is my understanding that he did not travel to Wales last week.
After the game, while again stating that he is not worried by pre-season results, Mark Yates said that the second half display especially was a disappointment.
He was, however, pleased with Spencer and Duffy's first appearances and confirmed that he hopes to complete deals to sign both Bagasan Graham and Harry Hooman on Monday.
Bagasan was once again a threat down the keft-hand side, and Hooman did little wrong and after the game Steve Elliott said he rates the youngster as a good prospect with all the attributes of a good centre-half and believes he will only get better.
The manager also said that he is within his budget - but conceded that he may have to do some wheeling and dealing which could mean some players who find themselves on the fringe of the squad when the season starts leaving on loan.
So that was why it was a surprise to see Luke Summerfield in the side, and Mark said he may not be able to do anything for the player at the moment but clearly rates him as a player, while Summerfield after the game said he has enjoyed his time with the Robins and would like to stay.
Obviously he would - as he is currently an unemployed player. Some have stated that we are well stocked for central midfield players - but are we?
Marlon Pack and Russ Penn (again absent yesterday but doing lots of running before the game - he might be back against Walsall on Tuesday) are seen as the first choice pair, then we have Dave Bird and probably Theo Lewis after that, so maybe we do need another...
I also asked Mark about the back-up goalkeeping question, and he stated that Mike Green had come into his thoughts and may change the original plan to bring in a young Premier League goalkeeper on loan.
Green played again today and did nothing wrong, with secure handling from crosses and adequate kicking, and he could well emerge as good competition for Scott.
So Tuesday will bring a good test against a Walsall side which nearly joined us in League Two.
A win would be nice...
 |
| Newport Stadium, just before the start of the 100 metres.. oh no, wrong sport. The building behind the terrace is the National Velodrome of Wales. |
But unfortunately we were unable to end our look for a pre-season win, as Ismail Yakubu's 58th minute header gave Newport a 1-0 win, and Mark Yates was left disappointed with the performance, especially in the second half.
Having negotiated a Newport club official who has already secured the award as Jobsworth of the Season, the performance was not as bad as Stourbridge and I felt we passed the ball well at times, but gave it away a bit too often and seemed to be lacking a little in urgency.
Despite the debuts of James Spencer and Darryl Duffy, paired together in the first half, the most worrying part of the display was the lack of goal threat - but it's a bit harsh to blame Spencer, who only arrived from Huddersfield on Friday, and Duffy, who only arrived the day before.
As well as our new strike force, we saw the return of Sido Jombati after injury, playing at right back, and Steve Elliott came in to the heart of the defence for his first pre-season outing.
In goal there was nother game for Mike Green, while Kyle Haynes moved to left back with Andy Gallinagh alongside Elliott, while Junior Smikle and Bagasan Graham took up the wide roles and Dave Bird was partnered in central midfield by Luke Summerfield.
Summerfield is another triallist, recently released by Plymouth (where he still lives) and who has had trial spells this summer with Doncaster and Shrewsbury.
He has been down in Wales with the squad for the past few days and may also be training with us on Monday and could be back against Walsall on Tuesday.
He showed a few neat touches in mdfield and also showed he likes a tackle with one particularly heavy challenge in the second half which was probably borne out of tiredness - as he did fade out of the game after the break.
In the first half, we were neat and tidy, and I felt Dave Bird was probably the pick for us, while Bagasan Graham was a threat down the left, showing not only some good trickery but also a healthy appetite for tracking back on occasions.
Steve Elliott looked fit enough, winning his usual share of headers, while Sido Jombati looked to get forward and linked up quite well with Junior Smikle down the right hand side.
Of the front pair, James Spencer was busy, showing good mobility and strength, while Duffy looked to get down the channels and at times displayed good touch and hold-up play.
But we didn't get to see the pair of them where it matters most, in the box,and we failed to get sufficient service into them where it matters most, but that will come with time and as they settle in and get used to the players around them.
 |
| From left: Darryl Duffy, Steve Elliott and Dave Bird have a stretch after being replaced at half-time. |
Half-time saw three changes, with Elliott, Bird and Duffy being withdrawn in favour of Harry Hooman, Theo Lewis and Jeff Goulding, but we never really got going after the break.
Mike Green - who could be playing himself into Mark Yates' thoughts as Scott Brown's competition - made a great save from his own player Sido Jombati's header.
Jombati made a great block before Yakubu's goal, a header from Danny Rose's cross, which had been coming as Newport started the second half better.
James Spencer went off in the hour as Kaid Mohamed came on, while Josh Low replaced Junior Smikle, before Danny Andrew and Keith Lowe replaced Kyle Haynes and Sido Jombati.
We then suffered a blow when Jeff Goulding collided with Andy Gallinagh, and after trying to play on, limped off with knee injury to be replaced by Marlon Pack.
So that left us with Kaid Mohamed and Theo Lewis up front, but we never looked like getting back into the game. The closest we came in the second half was a Goulding cross which Lewis nearly got on the end of just before Newport's goal.
But it was a third defeat in five pre-season games, and we did not see Alan Bennett or Scott Brown - while Michael Pook was not in the squad at all, and it is my understanding that he did not travel to Wales last week.
After the game, while again stating that he is not worried by pre-season results, Mark Yates said that the second half display especially was a disappointment.
He was, however, pleased with Spencer and Duffy's first appearances and confirmed that he hopes to complete deals to sign both Bagasan Graham and Harry Hooman on Monday.
Bagasan was once again a threat down the keft-hand side, and Hooman did little wrong and after the game Steve Elliott said he rates the youngster as a good prospect with all the attributes of a good centre-half and believes he will only get better.
 |
| The Newport mascot's first-half comedy routine involved pretending to have a traffic cone stuck on his paw. Oh how we all laughed. Not. |
The manager also said that he is within his budget - but conceded that he may have to do some wheeling and dealing which could mean some players who find themselves on the fringe of the squad when the season starts leaving on loan.
So that was why it was a surprise to see Luke Summerfield in the side, and Mark said he may not be able to do anything for the player at the moment but clearly rates him as a player, while Summerfield after the game said he has enjoyed his time with the Robins and would like to stay.
Obviously he would - as he is currently an unemployed player. Some have stated that we are well stocked for central midfield players - but are we?
Marlon Pack and Russ Penn (again absent yesterday but doing lots of running before the game - he might be back against Walsall on Tuesday) are seen as the first choice pair, then we have Dave Bird and probably Theo Lewis after that, so maybe we do need another...
I also asked Mark about the back-up goalkeeping question, and he stated that Mike Green had come into his thoughts and may change the original plan to bring in a young Premier League goalkeeper on loan.
Green played again today and did nothing wrong, with secure handling from crosses and adequate kicking, and he could well emerge as good competition for Scott.
So Tuesday will bring a good test against a Walsall side which nearly joined us in League Two.
A win would be nice...
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Come in number nine...
When the squad numbers were announced the other day, the number nine shirt was one of those left unused, but now we know it belongs to Darryl Duffy.
He will follow in the footsteps of some club legends and probably more not-so legends as Cheltenham Town's number nine ... Dave Lewis and Neil Grayson - but also Paul Connor and Steve Guinan ...
In seven of last nine seasons, our top scorer has left during the subsequent summer - or before in Lloyd Owusu's case.
A two-year contract means if Duffy tops the charts that run will be broken up - unless someone comes in and buys him of course...).
My Twitter account (after I had sorted out a unpleasant attack from some hackers) burst into life at about 11pm last night and a direct message from a reliable source told me that Darryl Duffy was being signed - a total shock.
I had assumed we would not be signing another front-line forward with the James Spencer loan also well in hand.
Not that I am complaining, of course, as Duffy is a player of experience, the sort of striker we have been crying out for in recent seasons.
At 27, he is a decent age and has a good grounding at a decent level in both England and Scotland, having been sold twice for six figures in the past.
At Bristol Rovers, he and Ricky Lambert were prolific together and in his early days at Falkirk he also hit the net regularly.
His comments on the official site were very positive - he is prepared to move his family from Scotland and left Glasgow at 4.30 am to come and sign his contract today - the sort of commitment everyone loves to see in a player.
He says he plays off the shoulder of the last defender - very much like Wes did which might suggest a fruitful partnership with Jeff Goulding, and he is already in Wales on the pre-season bonding and training trip getting to know the others.
The deal for Huddersfield's James Spencer to come on a six-month loan is also well in hand and he too could trot out at Newport on Saturday for his CTFC debut.
All exciting stuff - but I have to ask one question... can we afford all these players??
All of a sudden, from scratching around barely able to muster a squad of 18, we seem to have an embarrassment of riches.
That is credit to Mark Yates for enticing them here and selling the club to them, and to Paul Baker and the board for seemingly allowing him the freedom to do so.
In the summer, we let Martin Riley, Frankie Artus, JJ Melligan, Jake Lee and Dan Lloyd-Weston go - five players of whom only JJ Melligan had real league experience behind him.
In their place have come Alan Bennett, Russ Penn, Darryl Duffy, Kaid Mohamed and Sido Jombati, with James Spencer and the loan goalkeeper to follow... and that's even before we have sorted the futures of Bagasan Graham and Harry Hooman.
Surely the deals for the players we have brought in are costing a healthy amount more than those who left were being paid ... so much then it would seem for a reduced budget ... unless there is money being found from somewhere else, as I can hardly assume the money from GE Aviation's stand sponsorship is funding the gap.
Here's the squad as it stands...
Goalkeepers: Scott Brown.
Defenders: Keith Lowe, Kyle Haynes, Sido Jombati, Andy Gallinagh, Alan Bennett, Steve Elliott, Danny Andrew.
Midfielders: Marlon Pack, Russ Penn, David Bird, Michael Pook, Junior Smikle, Theo Lewis, Josh Low.
Forwards: Jeff Goulding, Darryl Duffy, Kaid Mohamed, Ethan Moore.
So that leaves us with a squad of 19 of our 'own' players, and two loanees (James Spencer and the incoming keeper, who I am told is a very highly-rated youngster from a Premier League club) taking us to 21.
That is before we have even thought about Hooman and Graham also being offered terms, so it's not a surprise then that Boubou Diallo will not be offered anything.
However I still find it hard to believe that we will be carrying a squad of 23 players - even more so after today's surprising news that the number of substitutes for league matches has been cut from seven to five.
That seems a strange decision to me - I thought it was brought in to give more young players the possibility of playing league football.
I can assume the League are trying to persuade clubs to trim squads down, but why announce it now rather than back in May before clubs started planning for the new season?
I wonder if we would have signed so many players had we known this news a month or two back.
So that now means that instead of 18, only 16 players will be involved on any given Saturday, which could be bad news for a couple of our players who might have been expecting a bench role, but may now be in the stands.
If we do eventually reach 23, and with Hooman and Graham in Wales they have to be under serious consideration for a contract, if not been offered one already, we will definitely have more than enough of the competition for places which Mark has been desperate to get.
It appears to me that Hooman and Graham have taken Mark and Neil by surprise.
They came in on trial back in July as, we assumed, as training ground cannon fodder - players to fill the spaces in the squad and to allow us to give everyone 45 minutes each in the games at Cirencester and Stourbridge.
Then, we all thought, when we sign the 'proper' players, it will be 'thanks but no thanks' and they would be off - but to their credit they have both taken their chance very well and thrown a bit of a spanner into the works.
Hooman has not looked out of place. Yes, he has made the odd rick, but I thought he did well in the second half against Jon Stead and Nicky Maynard last Tuesday, while Graham has been a revelation with his direct running and pace.
The reaction when he came on against City was incredible for a teenage triallist, and the roar which went up when he got the ball for the first time was noticeable - if we don't sign him I have the nagging feeling we will regret it.
If he comes off, he will put bums on seats and may well earn us some money one day. If he doesn't come off, we have not lost much. A gamble worth taking.
So where does all this leave us?
Here's a potential starting 11 for Gillingham with everyone fit - Brown; Lowe, Bennett, Elliott, Andrew; Mohamed, Pack, Penn, Low; Goulding, Duffy.
A five-man bench, you would assume to be goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, wide man, striker - so how about Loanee, Jombati, Bird, Smikle, Spencer as a suggestion?
That leaves Haynes, Gallinagh, Pook, Lewis and Moore idle - but - if we sign Graham, might he get on the bench ahead of Smikle? If Hooman signs, might he edge out Jombati and Gallinagh?
He may well, especially as he has been selected ahead of Gallers for the last two friendlies to play alongside Alan Bennett (although I concede that may simply be to allow Mark and Neil to have a better look at him).
Pook, we know, is already firmly in the ice box and should he find a new club then the pressure on the budget and finances would be loosened a fair bit I would assume.
In fact, I would venture to suggest that his departure may cover potential deals for Hooman and Graham., but while he stays I would suspect it may not be long before thoughts will have to turn to the possibility of others joining Mr Pook in the departure lounge - albeit on loan in the first instance.
Haynes and Moore are obvious candidates and a bit of football elsewhere will do them good, although Kyle has done well in the pre-season games, in particular at Telford.
But with the reduction in substitutes, more players may come under pressure, notably Lewis, Gallinagh and Smikle. The latter two's place in the 16 is doubtful, especially if Hooman and Graham are signed, as it would appear they will be.
Even before the new arrivals, it was going to be a big season for Lewis - and recent events have only served to make it more difficult for him. I find it hard to see where he will fit into the 16 at present.
Gallinagh is a favourite of many and has not let us down. But he is not going to be a first choice at centre-half when Bennett and Elliott are fit.
The same goes for right back or in midfield, and Gallers may also have less chances to sit on the bench with Jombati seemingly able to fill all his roles in the squad and more, and with Hooman preferred to him in friendlies.
Smikle is a frustrating player who suffers, like Gallers and Lewis, for not having one defined 'best' position, and therefore a set role in the team.
He is not a winger, as he does not have the pace to beat a man. He will not get a place in central midfield ahead of Pack, Penn and Bird and he lacks the physicality to play as a central striker - and in any case we have others who can do that job now. So where does he fit in?
There are still many questions to answer in a summer which started slowly continues to pick up pace, continues to intrigue and get us all a little excited. What twists and turns are yet to come, I wonder?
He will follow in the footsteps of some club legends and probably more not-so legends as Cheltenham Town's number nine ... Dave Lewis and Neil Grayson - but also Paul Connor and Steve Guinan ...
In seven of last nine seasons, our top scorer has left during the subsequent summer - or before in Lloyd Owusu's case.
A two-year contract means if Duffy tops the charts that run will be broken up - unless someone comes in and buys him of course...).
My Twitter account (after I had sorted out a unpleasant attack from some hackers) burst into life at about 11pm last night and a direct message from a reliable source told me that Darryl Duffy was being signed - a total shock.
I had assumed we would not be signing another front-line forward with the James Spencer loan also well in hand.
Not that I am complaining, of course, as Duffy is a player of experience, the sort of striker we have been crying out for in recent seasons.
At 27, he is a decent age and has a good grounding at a decent level in both England and Scotland, having been sold twice for six figures in the past.
At Bristol Rovers, he and Ricky Lambert were prolific together and in his early days at Falkirk he also hit the net regularly.
His comments on the official site were very positive - he is prepared to move his family from Scotland and left Glasgow at 4.30 am to come and sign his contract today - the sort of commitment everyone loves to see in a player.
He says he plays off the shoulder of the last defender - very much like Wes did which might suggest a fruitful partnership with Jeff Goulding, and he is already in Wales on the pre-season bonding and training trip getting to know the others.
The deal for Huddersfield's James Spencer to come on a six-month loan is also well in hand and he too could trot out at Newport on Saturday for his CTFC debut.
All exciting stuff - but I have to ask one question... can we afford all these players??
All of a sudden, from scratching around barely able to muster a squad of 18, we seem to have an embarrassment of riches.
That is credit to Mark Yates for enticing them here and selling the club to them, and to Paul Baker and the board for seemingly allowing him the freedom to do so.
In the summer, we let Martin Riley, Frankie Artus, JJ Melligan, Jake Lee and Dan Lloyd-Weston go - five players of whom only JJ Melligan had real league experience behind him.
In their place have come Alan Bennett, Russ Penn, Darryl Duffy, Kaid Mohamed and Sido Jombati, with James Spencer and the loan goalkeeper to follow... and that's even before we have sorted the futures of Bagasan Graham and Harry Hooman.
Surely the deals for the players we have brought in are costing a healthy amount more than those who left were being paid ... so much then it would seem for a reduced budget ... unless there is money being found from somewhere else, as I can hardly assume the money from GE Aviation's stand sponsorship is funding the gap.
Here's the squad as it stands...
Goalkeepers: Scott Brown.
Defenders: Keith Lowe, Kyle Haynes, Sido Jombati, Andy Gallinagh, Alan Bennett, Steve Elliott, Danny Andrew.
Midfielders: Marlon Pack, Russ Penn, David Bird, Michael Pook, Junior Smikle, Theo Lewis, Josh Low.
Forwards: Jeff Goulding, Darryl Duffy, Kaid Mohamed, Ethan Moore.
So that leaves us with a squad of 19 of our 'own' players, and two loanees (James Spencer and the incoming keeper, who I am told is a very highly-rated youngster from a Premier League club) taking us to 21.
That is before we have even thought about Hooman and Graham also being offered terms, so it's not a surprise then that Boubou Diallo will not be offered anything.
However I still find it hard to believe that we will be carrying a squad of 23 players - even more so after today's surprising news that the number of substitutes for league matches has been cut from seven to five.
That seems a strange decision to me - I thought it was brought in to give more young players the possibility of playing league football.
I can assume the League are trying to persuade clubs to trim squads down, but why announce it now rather than back in May before clubs started planning for the new season?
I wonder if we would have signed so many players had we known this news a month or two back.
So that now means that instead of 18, only 16 players will be involved on any given Saturday, which could be bad news for a couple of our players who might have been expecting a bench role, but may now be in the stands.
If we do eventually reach 23, and with Hooman and Graham in Wales they have to be under serious consideration for a contract, if not been offered one already, we will definitely have more than enough of the competition for places which Mark has been desperate to get.
It appears to me that Hooman and Graham have taken Mark and Neil by surprise.
They came in on trial back in July as, we assumed, as training ground cannon fodder - players to fill the spaces in the squad and to allow us to give everyone 45 minutes each in the games at Cirencester and Stourbridge.
Then, we all thought, when we sign the 'proper' players, it will be 'thanks but no thanks' and they would be off - but to their credit they have both taken their chance very well and thrown a bit of a spanner into the works.
Hooman has not looked out of place. Yes, he has made the odd rick, but I thought he did well in the second half against Jon Stead and Nicky Maynard last Tuesday, while Graham has been a revelation with his direct running and pace.
The reaction when he came on against City was incredible for a teenage triallist, and the roar which went up when he got the ball for the first time was noticeable - if we don't sign him I have the nagging feeling we will regret it.
If he comes off, he will put bums on seats and may well earn us some money one day. If he doesn't come off, we have not lost much. A gamble worth taking.
So where does all this leave us?
Here's a potential starting 11 for Gillingham with everyone fit - Brown; Lowe, Bennett, Elliott, Andrew; Mohamed, Pack, Penn, Low; Goulding, Duffy.
A five-man bench, you would assume to be goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, wide man, striker - so how about Loanee, Jombati, Bird, Smikle, Spencer as a suggestion?
That leaves Haynes, Gallinagh, Pook, Lewis and Moore idle - but - if we sign Graham, might he get on the bench ahead of Smikle? If Hooman signs, might he edge out Jombati and Gallinagh?
He may well, especially as he has been selected ahead of Gallers for the last two friendlies to play alongside Alan Bennett (although I concede that may simply be to allow Mark and Neil to have a better look at him).
Pook, we know, is already firmly in the ice box and should he find a new club then the pressure on the budget and finances would be loosened a fair bit I would assume.
In fact, I would venture to suggest that his departure may cover potential deals for Hooman and Graham., but while he stays I would suspect it may not be long before thoughts will have to turn to the possibility of others joining Mr Pook in the departure lounge - albeit on loan in the first instance.
Haynes and Moore are obvious candidates and a bit of football elsewhere will do them good, although Kyle has done well in the pre-season games, in particular at Telford.
But with the reduction in substitutes, more players may come under pressure, notably Lewis, Gallinagh and Smikle. The latter two's place in the 16 is doubtful, especially if Hooman and Graham are signed, as it would appear they will be.
Even before the new arrivals, it was going to be a big season for Lewis - and recent events have only served to make it more difficult for him. I find it hard to see where he will fit into the 16 at present.
Gallinagh is a favourite of many and has not let us down. But he is not going to be a first choice at centre-half when Bennett and Elliott are fit.
The same goes for right back or in midfield, and Gallers may also have less chances to sit on the bench with Jombati seemingly able to fill all his roles in the squad and more, and with Hooman preferred to him in friendlies.
Smikle is a frustrating player who suffers, like Gallers and Lewis, for not having one defined 'best' position, and therefore a set role in the team.
He is not a winger, as he does not have the pace to beat a man. He will not get a place in central midfield ahead of Pack, Penn and Bird and he lacks the physicality to play as a central striker - and in any case we have others who can do that job now. So where does he fit in?
There are still many questions to answer in a summer which started slowly continues to pick up pace, continues to intrigue and get us all a little excited. What twists and turns are yet to come, I wonder?
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
A few green shoots
After the shadow boxing of Cirencester, Stourbridge and Telford, it was time for the first visit to the Theatre of Shattered Dreams, Whaddon Road.
Time for the first big test.
Bristol City brought along a strong line-up and we started with, on paper, probably the strongest line-up available to us.
Steve Elliott was still out, Ethan Moore still sick and there was also no Russ Penn, while Sido Jombati was on the bench, but not risked as we opened up with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
It was a system which had served us well at times last season, particularly at Accrington, but on this occasion it was rather forced on us with our paucity of out and out strikers.
Scott Brown was back in goal (more of him later...) while Keith Lowe, Harry Hooman, Alan Bennett and Danny Andrew made up the back four. Marlon Pack and Theo Lewis were the two 'holders' with Josh Low and Kaid Mohamed out wide and Junior Smikle in the middle just off the lone front man Jeff Goulding.
But the start was not encouraging as we seemed to sit off City a little too much in the opening quarter.
This, of course, gave rise to some discontented mumblings around me in the Paddock - yes, at the FIRST pre-season friendly, and against a side two divisions above us.
It took ONE MINUTE for the first moan about Scott Brown, coming after his misjudged a clearance... 'nothing has changed then, you are bloody useless Brown' ... the helpful comment from our so-called fan.
Thanks for nothing.
Then when Damion Stewart's long ball was brought down and finished superbly by Nicky Maynard (a £4million rated striker) the criticism continued... 'I suppose you will blame the pitch for that one' was the verdict from nearby.
Honestly, does every club have fans like that? It does make me despair.
In truth, we were sluggish early on as City pinged the ball about nicely and pegged us back, but as the half wore on we gradually came into it.
A superb run from Kaid Mohamed down the left, showing his turn of pace for the first time in pre-season action, nearly carved out a chance - but a quick counter-attack saw Marvin Elliott score with a header from Jamal Campbell-Ryce's cross.
Jeff Goulding was then guilty of a bad miss - although in his defence I think he was expecting an offside flag, then Josh Low burst through and should have squared for Goulding before the chance was snuffed out.
At half-time I went up stairs and was told that the Echo's live text was lively in the first half as the doom mongers were having a field day.
One comment was apparently that Mark Yates should be sacked if we are in the bottom half after 10 games and I was told there was a healthy debate about his successor. Incredible.
By the end of the game, I would hope that they were shut up well and truly as we turned in our best pre-season display to date in what I thought was a hugely positive second-half display.
It was led by Kaid Mohamed, now pushed up front alongside Jeff Goulding.
Kaid had not pulled up any trees in the first three games, but he showed good pace and skill, with one superb turn on the edge of the box.
Goulding worked very hard all game as he played most of it as a lone striker and - having taken a lot of flak for his work rate last season, he more than answered those criticisms.
He was unlucky with a header from a Marlon Pack free-kick but stepped up to beat David James with a well-taken penalty after Keith Lowe was fouled.
Defensively, after the two goals, Lowe was his usual dependable self and I thought Danny Andrew has a decent game against a tricky winger in Albert Adomah.
Alan Bennett and triallist Harry Hooman worked well together keeping Jon Stead and Nicky Maynard quiet in the second half.
Bennett looks a good signing to me while Hooman has promise - but I do not think our budget will spread that far.
In midfield, Marlon Pack oozes quality and Theo Lewis worked hard alongside him without really standing out before giving way to Dave Bird.
Andy Gallinagh replaced Alan Bennett, while we also saw Kyle Haynes on the right wing when Josh Low went off - and Kyle had a decent effort which flew wide of the far post.
Michael Pook was the last sub to come on, more proof - if any were needed - of his position in Mark Yates' pecking order.
Junior Smikle was busy, and moved from central midfield out to the right after Josh Low went off and ended up in the attack after Goulding was replaced.
Theo Lewis was replaced by Bagasan Graham, the star of pre-season so far, who once again did himself no harm, and will have picked up a few more admirers among those seeing him for the first time.
He made one good run down the left - then when the ball came to him subsequently the noise grew appreciably - people sensing something could happen.
The other unknown arrival in the second half was Boubou Diallo, who replaced Goulding up front.
He is a rangy striker, spindly, yet tall and athletic and he produced one great turn and a howitzer of a shot with David James turned around the post.
His name just suddenly appeared on the team sheet with no warning, and assistant manager Neil Howarth served only to prolong the mystery afterwards when quizzed on his background.
'He's French' was all Neil was prepared to offer, saying that an agent had recommended him and that there was the feeling he could play at our level.
He didn't even want to tell us how old he is - 'he says he is 18 but his passport says he's 32' was the tongue in cheek response.
A Google search on Boubou Diallo unearths a left back with one game in the French fourth division and one goal for Le Havre B. Who knows whether that's our man or not.
Neil did not want to give much away - suggesting maybe that he and Mark think they might have found something, and maybe something will transpire in the coming days or weeks.
So that is an interesting one - my conspiracy theory mind even wondering if Boubou Diallo is even his real name - a spot of the Scottish 'A Trialist' maybe... who knows?
Elsewhere, Bagasan Graham was again spoken of highly by Neil, who said that Mick Jones, assistant manager at QPR to Neil Warnock, said they came very close to offering Bags a contract, and they felt he could go on and have a career somewhere.
I honestly do hope it is here as every time I see him I get more convinced that there is a player there somewhere and it would be a shame if he proved that somewhere else. A year's contract is, in my view, definitely a risk worth taking.
The much-famed loan striker is, we were told by Neil, still in the pipeline, while he also said that the name of our former loan winger Jake Thomson, the subject of a cryptic Twitter exchange earlier today with Marlon Pack, is still under consideration as another iron in the fire.
But we won't be able to sign the loan striker, loan keeper, Bagasan Graham, Boubou Diallo, Harry Hooman AND Jake Thomson as the budget will never stretch that far - unless someone comes in for Michael Pook.
All in all, an interesting evening which started in negativity and ended in optimism and a tinge of mystery.
So now off to Wales, and it will be fascinating to see who boards the coach, and what transpires when we take to the field at Newport next Saturday.
Things are definitely hotting up...
Time for the first big test.
Bristol City brought along a strong line-up and we started with, on paper, probably the strongest line-up available to us.
Steve Elliott was still out, Ethan Moore still sick and there was also no Russ Penn, while Sido Jombati was on the bench, but not risked as we opened up with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
It was a system which had served us well at times last season, particularly at Accrington, but on this occasion it was rather forced on us with our paucity of out and out strikers.
Scott Brown was back in goal (more of him later...) while Keith Lowe, Harry Hooman, Alan Bennett and Danny Andrew made up the back four. Marlon Pack and Theo Lewis were the two 'holders' with Josh Low and Kaid Mohamed out wide and Junior Smikle in the middle just off the lone front man Jeff Goulding.
But the start was not encouraging as we seemed to sit off City a little too much in the opening quarter.
This, of course, gave rise to some discontented mumblings around me in the Paddock - yes, at the FIRST pre-season friendly, and against a side two divisions above us.
It took ONE MINUTE for the first moan about Scott Brown, coming after his misjudged a clearance... 'nothing has changed then, you are bloody useless Brown' ... the helpful comment from our so-called fan.
Thanks for nothing.
Then when Damion Stewart's long ball was brought down and finished superbly by Nicky Maynard (a £4million rated striker) the criticism continued... 'I suppose you will blame the pitch for that one' was the verdict from nearby.
Honestly, does every club have fans like that? It does make me despair.
In truth, we were sluggish early on as City pinged the ball about nicely and pegged us back, but as the half wore on we gradually came into it.
A superb run from Kaid Mohamed down the left, showing his turn of pace for the first time in pre-season action, nearly carved out a chance - but a quick counter-attack saw Marvin Elliott score with a header from Jamal Campbell-Ryce's cross.
Jeff Goulding was then guilty of a bad miss - although in his defence I think he was expecting an offside flag, then Josh Low burst through and should have squared for Goulding before the chance was snuffed out.
At half-time I went up stairs and was told that the Echo's live text was lively in the first half as the doom mongers were having a field day.
One comment was apparently that Mark Yates should be sacked if we are in the bottom half after 10 games and I was told there was a healthy debate about his successor. Incredible.
By the end of the game, I would hope that they were shut up well and truly as we turned in our best pre-season display to date in what I thought was a hugely positive second-half display.
It was led by Kaid Mohamed, now pushed up front alongside Jeff Goulding.
Kaid had not pulled up any trees in the first three games, but he showed good pace and skill, with one superb turn on the edge of the box.
Goulding worked very hard all game as he played most of it as a lone striker and - having taken a lot of flak for his work rate last season, he more than answered those criticisms.
He was unlucky with a header from a Marlon Pack free-kick but stepped up to beat David James with a well-taken penalty after Keith Lowe was fouled.
Defensively, after the two goals, Lowe was his usual dependable self and I thought Danny Andrew has a decent game against a tricky winger in Albert Adomah.
Alan Bennett and triallist Harry Hooman worked well together keeping Jon Stead and Nicky Maynard quiet in the second half.
Bennett looks a good signing to me while Hooman has promise - but I do not think our budget will spread that far.
In midfield, Marlon Pack oozes quality and Theo Lewis worked hard alongside him without really standing out before giving way to Dave Bird.
Andy Gallinagh replaced Alan Bennett, while we also saw Kyle Haynes on the right wing when Josh Low went off - and Kyle had a decent effort which flew wide of the far post.
Michael Pook was the last sub to come on, more proof - if any were needed - of his position in Mark Yates' pecking order.
Junior Smikle was busy, and moved from central midfield out to the right after Josh Low went off and ended up in the attack after Goulding was replaced.
Theo Lewis was replaced by Bagasan Graham, the star of pre-season so far, who once again did himself no harm, and will have picked up a few more admirers among those seeing him for the first time.
He made one good run down the left - then when the ball came to him subsequently the noise grew appreciably - people sensing something could happen.
The other unknown arrival in the second half was Boubou Diallo, who replaced Goulding up front.
He is a rangy striker, spindly, yet tall and athletic and he produced one great turn and a howitzer of a shot with David James turned around the post.
His name just suddenly appeared on the team sheet with no warning, and assistant manager Neil Howarth served only to prolong the mystery afterwards when quizzed on his background.
'He's French' was all Neil was prepared to offer, saying that an agent had recommended him and that there was the feeling he could play at our level.
He didn't even want to tell us how old he is - 'he says he is 18 but his passport says he's 32' was the tongue in cheek response.
A Google search on Boubou Diallo unearths a left back with one game in the French fourth division and one goal for Le Havre B. Who knows whether that's our man or not.
Neil did not want to give much away - suggesting maybe that he and Mark think they might have found something, and maybe something will transpire in the coming days or weeks.
So that is an interesting one - my conspiracy theory mind even wondering if Boubou Diallo is even his real name - a spot of the Scottish 'A Trialist' maybe... who knows?
Elsewhere, Bagasan Graham was again spoken of highly by Neil, who said that Mick Jones, assistant manager at QPR to Neil Warnock, said they came very close to offering Bags a contract, and they felt he could go on and have a career somewhere.
I honestly do hope it is here as every time I see him I get more convinced that there is a player there somewhere and it would be a shame if he proved that somewhere else. A year's contract is, in my view, definitely a risk worth taking.
The much-famed loan striker is, we were told by Neil, still in the pipeline, while he also said that the name of our former loan winger Jake Thomson, the subject of a cryptic Twitter exchange earlier today with Marlon Pack, is still under consideration as another iron in the fire.
But we won't be able to sign the loan striker, loan keeper, Bagasan Graham, Boubou Diallo, Harry Hooman AND Jake Thomson as the budget will never stretch that far - unless someone comes in for Michael Pook.
All in all, an interesting evening which started in negativity and ended in optimism and a tinge of mystery.
So now off to Wales, and it will be fascinating to see who boards the coach, and what transpires when we take to the field at Newport next Saturday.
Things are definitely hotting up...
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