Friendlies

It is a truth universally acknowledged that friendlies mean nothing. And yet..........

Last season at the same stage we had a manager named Stubbs. We had about four players and had to cancel a couple of friendlies due to the lack thereof. 

This season we have a manager named Paul Warne, a man who made a few hundred appearances for Rotherham United and was once a client of Ian's. A man who was beloved on the terraces because of his work ethic and desire, despite a lack of skill. A man who has never managed before, and was the fitness coach before being forced into the position. But he knows how to win a friendly. 

We had a little run out v parkgate, which we won. Then Warney took them off to Austria where they seemed to spend most of their time running up mountains.

Running up that hill

Here we beat Austrian teams Floridsdorfer and Soproni. Back in the Uk we played Gainsborough, Alfeton and Chezzie and beat them all. The only defeat pre season was to a tough Sheffield United team, and that only after Warne had substituted the entire team at once in the second half. Our new number 10 Da Ball, signed from Fleetwood last seasons playoff losers, was on fire and scoring for fun, and reports were that the back four looked solid! 

DaBall in action

Of course, being part time supporters we hadn't managed to take in any of the above, so our first look at the new team would be when championship side Barnsley came to town. 

I was really looking forward to the game, the end of last season seemed like an eon ago, especially since I had blocked out most of it. There were a couple of surprises awaiting us when we took our seats. Rob Berry has moved from his usual place in the family stand to take James place, and a portly, youngish, ginger man was sat next to me in OMOTE's place. Robs transfer is permanent, not sure about Ginger, we'll see when the season proper starts. If it is permanent for Ginge I'm going to have to get my act together re jumping up and down. If he sits down before me I can't get my seat down due to his size. Comb over grandad in front was there, he's quite chatty, and the chaps behind were the same. They did appear to have had a group partial lobotomy over the close season. They had forgotten that semi ayayi existed, despite a good end to the season, forgotten Lee Camps name, and thought our first game v wolves was v Barnsley. Vicky did explain that the young ones weren't there, and perhaps they were the ones who always had the answer. My mission this season is to find out the names of all these people. 

Warne had put out the team that he would probably start with next week, here are a few of the key players.

Jamie Proctor. A striker from Bolton, according to their fans a big useless lump who couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo.

David Ball (DaBall, as opposed to Dominic Ball, notorious bad boy and known as DoBall). A Rooneyesque number 10 from Fleetwood. Good reviews.

Keifer Moore. A striker on loan from Ipswich who looks like Gareth Bale (I think) . Good reviews

Keifer bale moore

Josh Emmanuel. A right back on loan from Ipswich who has taken our Darnell's place. Great reviews from Ipswich fans, and already an icon due to taking our Darnell's place. 

Michael Ihiekwe. (Known hereafter as Mike!). A 'highly rated' central defender from non-league Tranmere. 

Darren Potter. A central midfielder who has played at the highest level for Liverpool (2 games) and came to us from Mk Dons. Mixed reviews

Ryan Williams. A striker from Barnsley. An Ibrahimovic look alike with a double man bun. Says it all really.

Ryan zlatan williams

Then we've got Semi at the back, little Jon Taylor (no sponsor yet Ian) in midfield, JCH up front coming back from a season long layoff, and of course, everyone's favourite and club captain, Frecks. Plus some others.

As we watched in the sunshine, some things became very clear the most notable being that the back four look OK! No mindless panic, no running around like headless chickens. Calm, patient defending. Perhaps the Barnsley strikers aren't much cop but Mike and Semi won every header. Emmanuel in particular looked very strong. Tha was just before he gave away a penalty. No worries, cos Richard O'Donnell the keeper looked OK too. He pulled off a stunning save to keep it at 0-0

Penalty saved

At half time we were relatively happy. comb over grandad (COG) pointed out that the defence looked good. The forgetful people behind couldn't remember us signing Emmanuel. Ginge disappeared a la OMOTE. Perhaps he's a relation. Second half played out much the same till Williams came on for Taylor and Moore for a below par DaBall. Man bun flying behind Williams burst into the area and drew the foul from old boy Zeki Fryers. Penalty. A bit of argy bargy occurred over who would take the pen, Frecks having gone off injured at half time, but the meaty Proctor won out. It wasn't the best pen and the keeper pushed it onto the post, but Proctor netted the rebound. 1-0. Not long after a bit of quick passing led to Jamie Proctor one on one with the keeper. Surely he would cock this up, he was playing for Rotherham. Bang. Bottom corner giving the keeper no chance. 2-0 Rotherham.

Proctor nets his second

 Not long after some delightful interplay led to a shooting position for Jamie on the edge of the area. Top corner. 3-0 Rotherham. Hat trick for our Jamie. 

Jamie celebrates his hat trick

Shortly after he was subbed for JCH getting a standing ovation. Not long after quick feet from Joe Newell and a low ball across the area reached Keiffer Moore at the back post. 4-0 and a good afternoon was had by all, all except the 1500 Barnsley fans. 

So a few points

Friendlies mean nothing, but a 4-0 drubbing of your local championship rivals has to give the team a lot of confidence

We have a back five who look OK

We have a striker who can hit a barn door with a banjo, plus another in Moore who looked powerful and has great feet. 

We have a team of players who look like they are prepared to battle and give their all for the team, in total and complete contrast to last year.

We have hope.

Man of the match

Ian - Proctor

Vicky - Jamie proctor

Jackie- our jamie

Funniest moment

The fourth official being unable to get the board to work so holding up two fingers for two added minutes.

Next up

The season proper starts next Saturday away at Fleetwood