Tonights BCD Friendly

[Angus Telford]

ESR did pretty well at LW

Not bad given he's only ever played at #10 for us up to now, right?
 

[Bobsffc]

I think it's bit unfair on Esenga...the attack that led to the second goal came from a cross from his side, it's true, but others were more to blame for the goal imo, particularly AP, whose terrible corner it was that led to the breakaway. I really don't think he stood out as particularly disastrous. The reality is that Esenga is behind Robinson, Sess and probably even Bassey and Castagne for the left back position in competitive games.

Over the two game, Cairney, King, Bassey. Leno and obviously Wilson have stood out for me...ESR was  involved and effective in the second game. I thought the young forward who came on at the same time showed some nice touches in both games.The only real concern was Muniz..it seemed as though, in both matches, the game passed him by..hope his mind isn't on other things

[sunburywhite]

Slack second half where we did nothing of note after dominating the first.

Looked infinitely worse off at the back once esenga came on. Don't wish to be too hard on young players but not seeing anything there from the cameos so far to suggest this kids gonna make it. Positionally all over the place,turned inside out, not very fast. Not a great start for him with the first team. Wish him luck proving me wrong.

Harrison and AP poor and continue to leave me feeling both can and should be improved upon now. APs freekicks and corners continue to underwhelm.

Lacomte was fine but gave the ball away badly with a sloppy pass leading to their first goal, which was never a penalty for me mind you (Diop "handball"). Saved the penalty and was unfortunate that no Fulham player got there quick enough to stop benzema getting the follow up.

Wilson continues to look class ,hoping for an exciting season from him

King also looks like he's ready to offer something now let alone the next couple years. Good take from him at the back stick. A couple really great turns and drives, this kids got it.

ESR did pretty well at LW

First half team by and large far superior to second

Game of two halves

Lecomte had no chance on either goal, all the Fulham plaers weren't expecting one of our keepers to save a penalty so never ran in to cover any rebound

Tete ineffectual
Diop a donkey
Bassey best player in second half but needs to stop his shorts falling down again
Essinga wasnt too bad
Reed late for everyting
Berger 6 foot 7 of nothing
AP useless, no wonder we dont have a set piece coach. Who would join a club where AP takes the set pieces? He cant hit a barn door from 5 paces. Their second goal came from a poo corner he took
Adama useless
I forget the rest that played second half thank God, at least I wont have nightmares tonight

[jayffc]

ESR did pretty well at LW

Not bad given he's only ever played at #10 for us up to now, right?
 

Haha correct he didn't play there last year...

But that said I've no issue with him playing more at LW this season if King is going to play meaningful minutes at CAM, he looks very capable to start contributing. was actually calling for ESR to play there left side last year and when he signed, as was saying arsenal fan friends felt some of his best performances came from there. All for it!

[hopper]

Al Ittihad won the SPL so this is a pretty decent result, but I try not to read into friendlies.

Excited about Wilson for next season.

[sunburywhite]

Al Ittihad won the SPL so this is a pretty decent result, but I try not to read into friendlies.

Excited about Wilson for next season.

If they won the league thn no wonder Mitro scored so many goals last season

I reckon I could have got into their side

[BestOfBrede]

Wow..
Don't think you (Sunbury) watched the game at all!
Seem to be completely looking for issues where there are none.

Was a friendly which we dominated until the changes in the 2nd half - this happens in a friendly!

Your report calls out players as:
Ineffectual
Donkey
Late
Nothing
And two..
Useless

It was a friendly, it was hot, we are gaining fitness and we won!

As an aside to your match report..
Those that seem to really dislike Muniz, you will regret it if he goes to another prem side - mark my words! I would not blame him, mind you, if he reads comments on here!

[Drewry66]

Josh King

 

Absolutely brilliant on the half turn and seen enough...starts first game of the season for me. Thank god he signed that contract.

Thought ESR looked very good left.

Wilson looks in brilliant form.

Cairney and Sasa excellent in the middle.

Leno great saves.

Big drop off second half with AP and Reed in midfield but hopefully a new signing in there of course. All respect for what they have both done for us but hopefully moving on.

I am always team Muniz on here as his record and ability when confident speak for themselves but the last two games do concern me a bit. Looked the same as last pre season and we know how he started. When on it and confident he can be unplayable but when off it just looks passive and stops making good runs and he has defo looked the later these two games. Praying he can turn that around next few friendlies as has to show his brilliant form from the start this year (assuming still here of course). Here's praying.

[Lighthouse]

[Deeping_white]

That AP corner that led to their second goal should result in a fine, pre season or not

[Deeping_white]

Nice to see Lecomte save a penalty too, considering Benda as backup keeper never looked like saving one it's reassuring to know he's more competent in that regard

[Drewry66]

Nice to see Lecomte save a penalty too, considering Benda as backup keeper never looked like saving one it's reassuring to know he's more competent in that regard

Looked tidy to be fair. Decent pen save and good one on one save at the end. Also thought he looked very decent with his feet with some nice passes. Zero fault for either goal. Very small sample but solid start. 

[Drewry66]

That AP corner that led to their second goal should result in a fine, pre season or not

Absolutely shocking

 

[jayffc]

That AP corner that led to their second goal should result in a fine, pre season or not

He hit a number of poor deliveries like that. And in fairness 1 dangerous one. But it is a consistant theme at this point

[SerbianLad]

Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch this game, due to some work related things, however some thought I have by looking at those highlights:

-it looks like it was incredibly hot. Far from ideal conditions to play football
-good work from Lukic to win the ball back for the first goal and an incredible finish from Wilson
-good work from Lukic for the second goal too, he carried the ball from our box to an area that was close to their box. I don't think ESR meant that, but he did a superb job getting away from his marker and putting the cross in.
-some really nice play lead to a goal that wasn't given due to an offside. Still, an encouraging sight.
-great cross by TC and a great finish from Josh for our third
-I think Wilson actually slightly miss-hit the corner from which we scored our fourth goal. It seems to me like he wanted to find Cairney. Great finish from Cuenca.
-Leno made some good saves
-great cross from Sess and a superb finish from Muniz for our second disallowed goal, shame really.
-as I said, I haven't watched the game, but from these highlights I don't get why people pick on Muniz? He left space for others with his movement, especially for ESR's goal where at one moment he pretty much had 4 defenders on him. Nice dummy for our first disallowed goal which left Castagne with a simple finish and a good goal for our second disallowed goal. Can someone who watched the game tell me why is he getting so much stick online for this game(including here on this forum by some posters)?
-penalty seems a bit harsh. Don't think it was deliberate at all
-Lecomte made a great penalty save. Looked pretty confident in one or two other situations that are visible on the highlights video. Early signs and a small sample size, but looks like a good addition.
-really poor corner from AP that lead to their second goal
-it's only pre-season so not really that important, but it's nice to have 4 wins in a row.

[FulhamKC]

Gentleman Jim about put me asleep with his commentary. Guess it's pre-season for him too.

[demeant0r]

AP just runs hot and cold, in one game he scores and in the next he gives away balls that leads to goals.

Just sell him and have ESR and King fight for the 10 spot.

[Thailand Mick]

Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch this game, due to some work related things, however some thought I have by looking at those highlights:

-it looks like it was incredibly hot. Far from ideal conditions to play football
-good work from Lukic to win the ball back for the first goal and an incredible finish from Wilson
-good work from Lukic for the second goal too, he carried the ball from our box to an area that was close to their box. I don't think ESR meant that, but he did a superb job getting away from his marker and putting the cross in.
-some really nice play lead to a goal that wasn't given due to an offside. Still, an encouraging sight.
-great cross by TC and a great finish from Josh for our third
-I think Wilson actually slightly miss-hit the corner from which we scored our fourth goal. It seems to me like he wanted to find Cairney. Great finish from Cuenca.
-Leno made some good saves
-great cross from Sess and a superb finish from Muniz for our second disallowed goal, shame really.
-as I said, I haven't watched the game, but from these highlights I don't get why people pick on Muniz? He left space for others with his movement, especially for ESR's goal where at one moment he pretty much had 4 defenders on him. Nice dummy for our first disallowed goal which left Castagne with a simple finish and a good goal for our second disallowed goal. Can someone who watched the game tell me why is he getting so much stick online for this game(including here on this forum by some posters)?
-penalty seems a bit harsh. Don't think it was deliberate at all
-Lecomte made a great penalty save. Looked pretty confident in one or two other situations that are visible on the highlights video. Early signs and a small sample size, but looks like a good addition.
-really poor corner from AP that lead to their second goal
-it's only pre-season so not really that important, but it's nice to have 4 wins in a row.

always enjoy reading your posts which contain thoughtful analysis even if I don't always agree, some people don't seem to appreciate what players do off the ball and only judge their participation in play.At then end of the day what matters most is how the team as a whole perform.

[bencher]

Gentleman Jim about put me asleep with his commentary. Guess it's pre-season for him too.

He made me laugh when he went on about how old the referee is.

[General]

4 - 0 up then 11 changes so not suprised we fell away, plus the fact it's pre season when the players more than likely trained all of this morning than played a game later, sounds like a god work out to me

I saw lineups and it suggested Al Ittihad had their strongest lineup from the get go, with Benzema, Kante, aouar, diaby etc.

Is that true?