8 minutes ago, pineapple dee said:

What Verral picks up from Max will be worth it's weight in gold.

You could not pay for better tutelage than learning the craft at the feet of Max, Grundy and Stafford.

2 hours ago, Deeoldfart said:

BBB presumably being ‘managed’.  How are TMac and JVR looking?

Like two very well oiled machines. One shiny and brand new and raring to go the other slightly used but lovingly restored and in excellent condition. Has passed the road worthy and is ready to be tested on the open roads.

BBB is most definitely being managed. Seems to be light on training during the week and then kicking bags of goals in full match SIMs so I have no concerns there and trust that they are managing him to get through a long season.

2 hours ago, Action Jackson said:

I love this. I prefer Gawn floating back than in the forward line, unless he can start kicking straighter.

Just please try handball off to a Brayshaw or Bowey once it's been marked Max.

I suspect Max will still be playing/resting in the forward line. If we have a full compliment of forwards available he can truly rest forward and cause headaches for opposition whilst not also having to play as an actual forward.

My hope is that he also manages to get back and help out in the back line on the last line of defence.

4 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Like two very well oiled machines. One shiny and brand new and rearing to go the other slightly used but lovingly restored and in excellent condition. Has passed the road worthy and is ready to be tested on the open roads.

BBB is most definitely being managed. Seems to be light on training during the week and then kicking bags of goals in full match SIMs so I have no concerns there and trust that they are managing him to get through a long season.

Managing injuries an interesting one, reminds me of Ledley King who used to play for Tottenham, a real talented centre-back but real injury prone. Barely trained during the week but one of the first names on the team sheet for the weekend. 

Hopefully BBB is better managed this year, perfect opportunity to rotate with the emerging JvR

Thanks @Demonland for your notes on the session. 
 

Looking forward to Fridays hit out to see some footy. 

Fritsch rehab sounds concerning. He’s previously had lower back issues, so hopefully they know how to manage it if it’s that. He’s easily our biggest goal scorer (2nd in the entire league behind Hawkins across the last two seasons), to not have him out there would be a huge blow. Our forward line is our weakness as is, let alone miss him and Kozzy further up the ground. Hoping Fritta is ok!

36 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Like two very well oiled machines. One shiny and brand new and raring to go the other slightly used but lovingly restored and in excellent condition. Has passed the road worthy and is ready to be tested on the open roads.

BBB is most definitely being managed. Seems to be light on training during the week and then kicking bags of goals in full match SIMs so I have no concerns there and trust that they are managing him to get through a long season.

I wonder if one of the two shiny oiled machines might find themselves the sub when the season starts?! Hard to fit in 3 talls with Max and Grundy. Both can play back( though not sure JVR has trained there in preseason). Barring an injury give BBB two and half quarters and then bring on fresh legs while managing Ben. 
Be good for JVR chances of making an impact if he's fresher than he's opponents. 
 

1 minute ago, Colm said:

I wonder if one of the two shiny oiled machines might find themselves the sub when the season starts?! Hard to fit in 3 talls with Max and Grundy. Both can play back( though not sure JVR has trained there in preseason). Barring an injury give BBB two and half quarters and then bring on fresh legs while managing Ben. 
Be good for JVR chances of making an impact if he's fresher than he's opponents. 
 

It's certainly a possibility.

Someone at training posited that scenario but with someone like Schache. The sub and it's use by various clubs will be interesting. Some clubs might use it for a tall or bigger more mobile player but I imagine most will use a Chandler/Bedford type.

I'll get the boys thoughts on our use of the sub in our season preview podcast.

Gorgeous morning for a run.

They have started in a very boisterous, happy mood.

In the forward area there is a marked boxed area about 20 meters by 12 meters large, it is directly out, and about 10 metres from the square. The three big forwards compete against the backs. They pick, switch opponents, roll, and lead out. They are encouraged to stay in that area and jostle. (looks like a plan to reduce hard leads that end in the deep pocket).

Magician, is the name they have given to Jefferson.

The sims are now 7 minutes long ×3. White started with 40 points, momentum changes happened. First session about equal. The second, blue hit hard and caught up. The third, white took it easily. Those swings in the 2nd and 3rd sessions worry me. Neither team could arrest the run on till the restart.

The drills were about kicking to marking contest, bringing it to ground with players front and centres, then creating snaps on goal. Even May got a few snaps in.

Spargo played midfield/wing in the sims, and played beautifully.

Max back, Brodie forward.

Hibbo reading the play well.

JVR, Verral, a bit lost out there.

JJ, with composure, finding space and making good decisions. 

Rivers, running hard and fast. Really nice timing and sturdiness when marking.

Moniz-wakefield bringing lots of forward pressure.

Schache leading well when up at the 50 arc area.

May and Lever are ready.

Tmac has his mind on the job.

Chandler at the botom of many packs.

Viney back into his number 7.

K.Turner knows his role.

Howes playing on the wing, needs more involvement. The same for D.Turner playing down back.

Petty getting more involved and punching everything in the marking competition. 

Some of our ball movement was quick, usually when one of our top players gets it going. There were a few turnovers because of poor execution and decisions (usually by the second or third rung players). 

Melksham is not far off. 

13 minutes ago, kev martin said:

JVR a bit lost out there.

I saw him take a few good strong marks on a lead.

5 minutes ago, Demonland said:

I saw him take a few good strong marks on a lead.

I thought he didn't have his usual separation or angled leading to the right area. I am rating him pretty hard, as I like the way he goes about it. May have been up the other end when he took the marks and I missed it.

1 minute ago, kev martin said:

I thought he didn't have his usual separation or angled leading to the right area. I am rating him pretty hard, as I like the way he goes about it. May have been up the other end when he took the marks and I missed it.

I might be going easy on him too because I'm trying to wear rose coloured glasses to filter out my usual pessimism.

5 minutes ago, Demonland said:

I might be going easy on him too because I'm trying to wear rose coloured glasses to filter out my usual pessimism.

Can you both try meet somewhere in the middle?

calling @WalkingCivilWar, c'mon you must know fritta's ailment, specially given you're his #1 stalker 😈

i'm going for hip

4 hours ago, Demonland said:

Trainer is throwing the footy at Fritsch to catch it in one hand whilst he is standing/balancing on one leg (the right one).

i presume this is about improving core stability and strength. 

Thanks Demonland, Kev and all posters love the blow by blow action in these reports informative and enjoyable.!!!!

Thanks for the reports.

At least good to know Fritsch is back out there and on 2 feet. Unless it’s a serious set back he can hopefully progress with rehab and get in to full training fairly soon. 

23 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

calling @WalkingCivilWar, c'mon you must know fritta's ailment, specially given you're his #1 stalker 😈

i'm going for hip

I agree. the nature of the exercises he was doing (high knee lifts) suggest a problem with the hip flexor....

1 hour ago, Colm said:

I wonder if one of the two shiny oiled machines might find themselves the sub when the season starts?! Hard to fit in 3 talls with Max and Grundy. Both can play back( though not sure JVR has trained there in preseason). Barring an injury give BBB two and half quarters and then bring on fresh legs while managing Ben. 
Be good for JVR chances of making an impact if he's fresher than he's opponents. 
 

That's in an ideal world.  Can't play the sub that way though.  Gotta have a versatile player as sub.  And with Gawn and Grundy as well as our tall fwds the sub will be a pace option.  Personally I think it will be Jordon or Harmes 

28 minutes ago, Travy14 said:

That's in an ideal world.  Can't play the sub that way though.  Gotta have a versatile player as sub.  And with Gawn and Grundy as well as our tall fwds the sub will be a pace option.  Personally I think it will be Jordon or Harmes 

Agree. The sub is bound to be a more versatile player. I doubt it will ever be a key position player.

3 hours ago, stinga said:

TMac and JVR are not 200cm KPF players.  They're not much taller than Fritsch.   They are the size of Cripps and a few other on ballers.  They are very mobile and can attack the ball on the ground.   Can't see why they can't all play.

Charlie Curnow is 192cm and the media touting him as the Coleman Medallist.

1 hour ago, Hawk the Demon said:

I agree. the nature of the exercises he was doing (high knee lifts) suggest a problem with the hip flexor....

Fritta was on the exercise bike when first "injured ", no running. Now he is doing the funny knee high lifts with the arms raised above the head. The "physio" also emphasised picking up the body with heel lifts, and using the ball of foot to weight bear, when doing knee lifts with arms high. Could be foot related, as he is not even walking laps. 

Edited February 22, 20232 yr by kev martin

1 hour ago, daisycutter said:

calling @WalkingCivilWar, c'mon you must know fritta's ailment, specially given you're his #1 stalker 😈

i'm going for hip

I certainly do know, Daise. I hear a lot about the players and if you think it doesn’t kill me to keep my mouth shut you’ve got rocks in your head.

🤐 😭

33 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Agree. The sub is bound to be a more versatile player. I doubt it will ever be a key position player.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to mess around with a young tall too often but JVR’s ability to play back is probably what makes him more of a sub candidate. He could slot in as a back pocket, move Gus to cover an injured midfielder. That’s a way to cover forward, mid and back 

Bit of a concern with Fritsch. I wonder if we would play JVR in his role if Fritsch isn't fit for round 1?

Could be a good option for the 3rd tall.