cardiff...

[Rich Pullen]

Hmmm - give this Frenchman something... I was impressed everytime I saw his at Plymouth Argyle and age seems to be irrelevant with this guy.

[chrome dome]

what about Macklin on the right? with pace like that surely he's what we need

[michael]

Nalis' fitness must be a bit behind everyone elses no?

He said something about spending time with his family when he left Plymouth instead of keeping in shape.

If we were Bristol City we'd probably send him on his way for that.

[Batch]

Ok here is a mini report:

Game was OK, some neat football at times and we looked slightly fitter/sharper, except the first 15 of the second half. Definitely tried to knock it around compared to cardiffs largely more direct game (hoofball).

Our goal came from some good link up play when new trialist crossed (not Nalis, T'other one), Nallis dummied and someone played in Peacock for a one on one 'yes he's scored (cheer) no the keepers got a hand on it, yes it's in' type goal .

I'm not trying to be hard on the young lad learning his trade but it was an(other) error for their goal from Morrison (OS says Jack Smith, but surely my eye sight isn't that bad). He let the ball run across him but there was a player sneaking round the back who nicked in and scored the 1 on 1. Also looked shaky a few minutes later when the attacker sold him a dummy to get to the bye line. After that he improved immensely and showed some confident touches.

Paynter still frustrates me. Had a couple of good touches but was largely rubbish again (waits for 100 contradictory posts!).

Peacock played 60 and looked sharper than Paynter. Marginally.

McGoven was back to his frustrating self. Captain cock up! To be fair, he sees the pass quicker than anyone else on the pitch. Tonight it didn't come off.

McNamee had a few class touches/crosses but was much, much better marked than Pompey managed.

Nallis looked reasonably solid and mobile. Seemed largely to get the ball and give it simply, mixed in with a few (literally only 2 or 3) dodgy passed and a few excellent sprayed passes. Put in some good challenges.

Other new bloke did OK. Solid and got up the pitch well. Caught out a couple of times but made up the ground.

Both trialists steady rather than spectacular and definitely worth another look.

Kanyuka/Beast/JSmith were solid.

Timlin worked hard and did well.

[Arnold.J.Rimmer]

Another impressive preformance I thought. Nalis will definately add something extra to the team and should get a contract. Casal looked solid and worth another look. JPM and Jack Smith also had good games.
Looked like there was fun and games in the Arkells stand with a few stewards having to run up there to keep the Swindon and Cardiff fans apart. Relatively good atmosphere though for a friendly.

[RobertT]

Can't rely on the youth, although it's nice to see a few on the edge now.  Kennedy looked good once he'd settled, but needed a strong person inside him at times I think to guid his positional sense.  He'll also find it tough at times when McNamee swithces off, but in time he looks to have something about him.  You;ve got the same with Joyce and Allen, so Macklin maybe a long term answer but we need something we can rely on to offer variety from McGovern.

[chrome dome]

so what about Malpass? do we really believe in him?

[Panda Paws]

Macklin hasn't really recovered his form from his injury, and looks distinctively average every time I've seen him. Hopefully Roberts will get himself fit, and stay fit for more then 2 or 3 months as he is more than capable of playing wide right for a top half league 1 team.

[Tails]

Impressed with that showing, if we had Cox up front we would have won. Morrison was pretty bad for the first few minutes of the second half but got better. Kennedy looked good, as did Casal and Nalis, who I think is definitely worth signing. I thought McGovern and Timlin did well too.

It's given me a bit of optimism for next season.

[Uncle Albert]

My first game this pre-season and I left fairly optomistic about next season. The difference in style from Sturrock is clear now and from memory this is probably the most slick passing football I've seen for a while. Nallis looks quality. Always came short, played nice one-twos and was always looking to spray the ball. Him and Timlin looked solid and inventive. Thought Casas looked decent, although Kennedy had a cracking game whilst he was on. The defence looked failry solid and quite like the look of Kanyuka and Ifil. It's clear that Malpas is trying to bring a passing game to the CG and pre-saeson seems to have installed a bit of confident into the players. Lets see how they get on with Tranmere though!!!

[Panda Paws]

so what about Malpass? do we really believe in him?

I have very little opinion on Malpas, other than that he needs the whole summer and next season unless it goes dramatically wrong. He seems very honest and genuine and has a great pedigree.

[chrome dome]

I wasn't aware that Macklin was injured and from what I've seen he's on fire but at only 16 I suppose we can't expect too much. Malpas seems a decent guy but doesn't seem to have much spark - maybe Dave Byrne is the man - he's seems to have something about him

[Luci]

Impressed for sure.  Nalis looked very good for someone apparently not up to full fitness yet and thought Jack Smith had a very very good game tonight with the odd showboat thrown in!  (Yes we are talking about the same Jack Smith!)

I thought their goal was Morrisons error too, seemed to have a very funny few seconds and looked a little shakey but perhaps he just needs an older head to help guide him a bit.

Slightly concerned re Paynter as didn't really think he looked that sharp and almost a bit lazy but not going to write him off yet.  

Have to say though that I agree with some comments re Peacock starting alongside Cox.

[Panda Paws]

I wasn't aware that Macklin was injured and from what I've seen he's on fire but at only 16 I suppose we can't expect too much. Malpas seems a decent guy but doesn't seem to have much spark - maybe Dave Byrne is the man - he's seems to have something about him

Maybe I'm getting Macklin confused with Alex Rigley - My bad

[Luci]

According to OS Malpas wants to keep both of tonights triallists.  Of them both, its Nalis I'm most bothered about us signing.