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InLambertWeTrust!

It was 'only a friendly' but...

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I was impressed with our players today.Ruddy commanded the area well and made some good saves from the United attack.Russell Martin did what he had to do. Maybe I''ve been too harsh on him. Would be happy with him starting.Mickey Nelson did what we love him for. Important blocks (including a good one on Ameobi) and tackles.Elliot Ward did well but doesnt look match fit. More to come from him in my opinion. Not a bad match by any means.Drury was good and his typical reliable self, linked up well with Surman out wide.Andrew Crofts really impressed me today. He linked with Hoolahan and Surman well. Potentially a crucical player next year.Surman oozed quality. He dictated play in the middle of the park and linked up well out wide. Class signing.Hoolahan was just his normal self. Didnt like his haircut though! Must do better. [;)]Fox did what he had to do. Good player. Typical Man Utd academy player with his stroking passes and good movement off the ball.Jacko

worried me when he went down injured as he looks like he could offer us

competition up front. Held the ball up well as well which was a little

surprising. Linked well with C.Martin.Martin had a good game and linked well with Jacko before J went off. Looks leaner and fitter as well.All in all I think we have the players to finish comfortable mid table. A lack of injuries and we COULD finish top 6.OTBC!

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Is Crofts playing in a Clingan-role, as I am sure we would love to have another Clingan-type player at the club for the upcoming season.

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[quote user="CT"]I was impressed with our players today.Andrew Crofts really impressed me today. He linked with Hoolahan and Surman well. Potentially a crucical player next year.Surman oozed quality. He dictated play in the middle of the park and linked up well out wide. Class signing.Fox did what he had to do. Good player. Typical Man Utd academy player with his stroking passes and good movement off the ball.OTBC![/quote]This sounds very encouraging.  I was pleased about Surman but Crofts sounded a better player than Iwan suggested.

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[quote user="Mister Chops"][quote user="CT"]I was impressed with our players today.Andrew Crofts really impressed me today. He linked with Hoolahan and Surman well. Potentially a crucical player next year.Surman oozed quality. He dictated play in the middle of the park and linked up well out wide. Class signing.Fox did what he had to do. Good player. Typical Man Utd academy player with his stroking passes and good movement off the ball.OTBC![/quote]This sounds very encouraging.  I was pleased about Surman but Crofts sounded a better player than Iwan suggested.[/quote]Crofts was excellent today, very impressed.

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[quote user="Mister Chops"][quote user="CT"]I was impressed with our players today.Andrew Crofts really impressed me today. He linked with Hoolahan and Surman well. Potentially a crucical player next year.Surman oozed quality. He dictated play in the middle of the park and linked up well out wide. Class signing.Fox did what he had to do. Good player. Typical Man Utd academy player with his stroking passes and good movement off the ball.OTBC![/quote]This sounds very encouraging.  I was pleased about Surman but Crofts sounded a better player than Iwan suggested.[/quote]Crofts really did impress me. Midfield was our best area today.

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What impressed me about Crofts was that he kept everything simple. He wouldn''t play the ball thirty yards, but would make himself available to the man on the ball. And when a ball was lost, he worked hard to get it back.

I described him in another thread as Andy Hughes with a bit more skill. I think that''s quite applicable.

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[quote user="TheGoogler"]I described him in another thread as Andy Hughes with a bit more skill.[/quote]I bet with that silver tongue you''re a real charmer with the ladies![H]

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Yeah, Crofts impressed me today also. I thought he, Wes, Surman and R Martin deserved 8''s! Crofts played out on the right hand side of the diamond today, but was seemingly able to show up all over the pitch. Made some superb defensive headers and intelligent passes too. He''s got a great engine on him and looks to be the "winner" type of player that managers always say it''s great to have in your side. As another poster mentioned, he doesn''t do anything particularly flashy and keeps it simple. Which is often the best way!

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[quote user="CashCasinoCrane"]Yeah, Crofts impressed me today also. I thought he, Wes, Surman and R Martin deserved 8''s! Crofts played out on the right hand side of the diamond today, but was seemingly able to show up all over the pitch. Made some superb defensive headers and intelligent passes too. He''s got a great engine on him and looks to be the "winner" type of player that managers always say it''s great to have in your side. As another poster mentioned, he doesn''t do anything particularly flashy and keeps it simple. Which is often the best way![/quote]

I could not see where Crofts was really outstanding. Yes he got around the pitch well, did the simple thing well & did ok except worryingly he gave the ball away on two occassions in dangerous areas.

For me Fox & Surman were excellent, some of there one touch play was superb and rarely gave the ball away. The problem with pre-season games is the pressure is off and players can look better than they actually are. However these two in my opinion are quality. Just a shame Smith is still out injured as I was looking forward to seeing him although Drury was his usual solid best.

Everton will provide a much stiffer test.

We sat right behind Lambert (a row back) just for a change and found the antics of our bench very amusing even though it was just a "friendly". Poor Olly got some stick from Culverhouse & Lambert and he was only on the pitch for a short while. "Oh for fu*ks sake" yelled Culverhouse at one point at the young striker. I was surprised however how basic some of the instructions were. I know you have to sit with the "deadwood" but it is an interesting experience.

For a pre-season game it was entertaining but it will mean little come August 6th.

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I agree with your points entirely Common. I singled out Crofts as I feel he will have to play an important role this season. I didn''t understand why Fox was playing in the ''holding'' position though. I would have thought that would be tailor made for Crofts. However, Fox passed the ball really well and looked a class act, but I didn''t see him breaking up play much. I think we have great options in midfield now anyway, but we really need Korey back to provide that athleticism and steel. We look hugely creative however, with Surman and Hoolahan linking up well. There were some fabulous passing moves yesterday and I think as long as we can hold on to the ball and move it quickly through midfield, teams will find it hard to break us down next year. We''ll definitely score goals anyway!

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[quote user="CT"]I was impressed with our players today.Ruddy commanded the area well and made some good saves from the United attack.Russell Martin did what he had to do. Maybe I''ve been too harsh on him. Would be happy with him starting.Mickey Nelson did what we love him for. Important blocks (including a good one on Ameobi) and tackles.Elliot Ward did well but doesnt look match fit. More to come from him in my opinion. Not a bad match by any means.Drury was good and his typical reliable self, linked up well with Surman out wide.Andrew Crofts really impressed me today. He linked with Hoolahan and Surman well. Potentially a crucical player next year.Surman oozed quality. He dictated play in the middle of the park and linked up well out wide. Class signing.Hoolahan was just his normal self. Didnt like his haircut though! Must do better. [;)]Fox did what he had to do. Good player. Typical Man Utd academy player with his stroking passes and good movement off the ball.Jacko

worried me when he went down injured as he looks like he could offer us

competition up front. Held the ball up well as well which was a little

surprising. Linked well with C.Martin.Martin had a good game and linked well with Jacko before J went off. Looks leaner and fitter as well.All in all I think we have the players to finish comfortable mid table. A lack of injuries and we COULD finish top 6.OTBC![/quote]

CORRECT!

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