• Nigel Adkins has been given the Tranmere job on a permanent basis signing until the end of the 25/26 season. Continue the discussion here.

Lairds v Rovers

Boz

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Anyone going?

We don't seem to have a particularly busy pre-season, so would expect a fairly strong line-up today. Maybe a good one to try the 442, perhaps give Owusu a game and Gumbs a start. Hopefully a reasonable turnout to bolster a local club's coffers. Will be interested in hearing any reports.
 
M

Mal

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Anyone going?

We don't seem to have a particularly busy pre-season, so would expect a fairly strong line-up today. Maybe a good one to try the 442, perhaps give Owusu a game and Gumbs a start. Hopefully a reasonable turnout to bolster a local club's coffers. Will be interested in hearing any reports.
I am going . Be interesting to see how they will line up. I do think it will be a "first team' line up as only a few games to be ready for Torquay.
 
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I will be there. I am hoping Mangan will get a couple of goals; hopefully he has still got something to offer next season. It will be interesting to see Norburn and Dunn in a game where we have most of the possession.
 

Sparky

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Do my eyes deceive me or are we really 8-0 up after 25 mins? Alabi with 4 including a Penalty!

Strong rovers line up
 

bigmart

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9 0 halt time alibi got 5 changing the team for 2nd half
 

Sparky

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11-0 in the end. Alabi with 5 plus goals for cook, Sutton, Harris, Dunn and second half goals for mangan and even the lesser spotted Adam dawson.

Didn't go but I'm guessing very hard to judge performances in a game like this. Would be interested as to how the likes of Dunn and Rokka plus Dawson who has played in 2 games for Salford recently but obviously they haven't snapped him up yet.

Sounds like some easy goals for Alabi but glad to see he scored a penalty and would be interesting if any were one on ones.
 
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Mal

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11-0 in the end. Alabi with 5 plus goals for cook, Sutton, Harris, Dunn and second half goals for mangan and even the lesser spotted Adam dawson.


One excellent header. All well taken with at least two self-made. Came so fast it is hard to remember all the build ups. Therelooked to be a video camera there so we will probably see them on OS.
 
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Regardless of the standard of the opposition, that was very encouraging. Some of the football in the first half was excellent and there were some great goals. Alabi's finishes were not actually particularly easy and his all round game - his movement and energy - was impressive. He linked up really well with Cook and a lot of the goals were in tight areas and one-on-one situations of the kind Norwood generally misses. I think MM will have some interesting decisions to make this season.

The other outstanding performances in the first half were from Harris and Jennings, the latter playing an orthodox midfield role and looking very comfortable. Again, food for thought. Jack Dunn was also impressive played out wide in a 442. Rokka was more up and down on the other wing, but showed some good skills and his goal was a great volley from twenty yards.

The quality of the second half was a lot poorer, but Adam Dawson was the outstanding performer. He seemed to really have the bit between his teeth, so you wonder if the penny has finally dropped with him ? Or is he just trying to impress to secure a move away, before returning to old habits ? If we keep him and he shows the attitude he did today he will be a valuable asset.

Eddie Clarke also put in an encouraging display after half time, while up front Mangan looked sharper than James Norwood.

Interesting times ahead.
 

Sparky

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Thanks RLC for the report. As you say, plenty for Micky to think about. The signing of Alabi and his albeit early days coolness in front of goal should put pressure on Nors, as well as Mangan.

Many Rovers fans, including myself, lose sight of the quality we already have from the likes of CJ and Harris. Sounds like the latter is over his injury.

It's no secret I'm a massive fan of Dawson and pleasing to hear he showed the quality we all know he possesses. Not getting my hopes up so I'm assuming he is doing his best for any watching scouts. You would think with Tollit not ready and kirby the same, Dawson would be wanted but he wasn't wanted by MM last season when we had our injury crisis. Maybe the penny has finally dropped but more likely I think he'll be moving on. Would love to be wrong tho.

On to Fleetwood which brings a challenge given they made the L1 play offs last season.
 

Boz

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Isn't our next game away at Ashton, a week hence?

It sounds like an encouraging performance, regardless of the poor standard of the opposition. Particularly with regard to Alabi, who's had a limited pre-season. Interesting with Connor Jennings in a midfield role and doing well. There's been silence on James Wallace, who I suppose is nowhere near being fit still, so it would be good to have another option in the middle.

How did Gumbs and Duggan fare when they came on, in particular, who was Gumbs paired with at the back and what position did Duggan play in?
 
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Isn't our next game away at Ashton, a week hence?
Yes.

I heard today that Wallace is seeing a specialist again. How many more games he will actually play for us is anyone's guess.

Gumbs partnered Drysdale at the back. The youngsters were no better than ok to be honest, although it is difficult to judge them when they don't have many senior payers around to assist. Clarke was the most impressive, looks a good prospect.
 

Boz

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It's a shame re Wallace if that's the case, never going to be the player he was but as he showed towards the end of last season, could do a decent job as a creative attacking midfielder.

Disappointed that MM paired the two experienced pros in the first half and the two youngsters in the second. Suspect Drysdale isn't near ready yet, but seeing how Gumbs works alongside McNulty/Sutton should give a better idea of how we might cope if that need arose. Especially if the anticipated extra central defender doesn't materialise.
 
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Nice to hear that three of the Maidstone back four were reunited today and kept another clean sheet! Drysdale is one for the future but I expect Evan and Eddie to feature in matchday squads this season.
 
M

Mal

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It's a shame re Wallace if that's the case, never going to be the player he was but as he showed towards the end of last season, could do a decent job as a creative attacking midfielder.

Disappointed that MM paired the two experienced pros in the first half and the two youngsters in the second. Suspect Drysdale isn't near ready yet, but seeing how Gumbs works alongside McNulty/Sutton should give a better idea of how we might cope if that need arose. Especially if the anticipated extra central defender doesn't materialise.
There are too few games to experiment in. I can see that he wants to test out strongest sides first. To be honest, there was not much to test. The youngsters did well in a 10 v 11 situation . fleetwood will be a better test.
 

Boz

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There are too few games to experiment in. I can see that he wants to test out strongest sides first. To be honest, there was not much to test. The youngsters did well in a 10 v 11 situation . fleetwood will be a better test.
Isn't the counter to that, Micky knows how McNulty and Sutton work together and it's better to test out new combinations in pre-season rather than be forced into it through injury or sending-off in the heat of a NL battle?

Maybe we'll use the Ashton game for that...
 
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Strongly agree with Mal on this. All the youngsters got a run out and if anything they would find it easier to cope alongside experienced pros.
 

Boz

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Strongly agree with Mal on this. All the youngsters got a run out and if anything they would find it easier to cope alongside experienced pros.
In which case it makes more sense to be trying it out in games that don't matter. Using a younger player with an experienced one is a good learning experience and enables the manager to assess the risks and merits of certain pairings. He ought to know how McNulty and Sutton pair off already having used that combination for a number of games last season. I accept that he should use his favoured pair sometime, to see how they work with other players, but don't think what I've said is contentious.
 
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I don't think it is an issue. Gumbs has already played several first team games at centre back and if he was asked to fill in alongside McNulty I don't think there would be a problem. Same with Duggan at wing back / centre midfield.
 
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Mal

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The OS goals video requires you to use binoculars! Surprised there wasnt a zoom , particular as it was virtually one way traffic so no need to have a panoramic view.
 
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