Bit of a thread here

[Link]

Woods impressing again, apparently. Kirby and Kaikai not so much

Edited by pssguy (31 Jul 2018 9.36pm)

and that's the way it finished

What a juggernaut this team is

Just on the train back from the game. These are my thoughts and trying to take into account it was against Boreham Wood...

Both Woods and O’Dwyer impressed me at the back. O’Dwyer more so if anything, a natural leader and was even marshalling Ward and Soare. Ward looked solid if not spectacular and the more I see him the more he is looking like an old fashioned out and out right back and maybe lacking the pace for the Prem as it is now. Not quick and getting forward isn’t his strength at all. We already knew that really. Wan-Bissaka should be starting every game this season when available. Soare looked good! Very quick, good first touch and got forward well. We are blessed with LB’s at this club! Seeing as Schlupp looks like he is going to be pushed forward this season I would be happy for Pape to deputise to PVA on that display.

Punch was playing very deep, almost in the Milivojevic role sitting in front of the back four and looked OK. Williams next to him look much stronger. He was quick, got control and distribution and looked like he could definitely bring something to the team this season. Maybe not a regular starter but if we do end up playing the 4-4-2/4-3-3 system again I could see him playing the McArthur role as a wide midfielder but can drop central. Took his goal well and was more a case of good reading of the game and getting into a good position for the cross than a good finish.

Lokilo was a little underwhelming. He is clearly talented and has a future at the club but didn’t bring a huge amount to the game. Very quick and looked to have a variety of attacking ideas, cutting in and pushing wide in equal measure. Kirby was a little disappointing. Lost possession a few times, looked a little light weight. Again, another clearly talented player and definitely has the potential to be a top player for us but not his night. Saying that, I would love to see him get a chance this season.

Not Wickham’s best game but not terrible either. Still looks to be recovering his touch since the injury, understandably, but didn’t have as much of as impact as hoped. Had a great header chance which was cleared off the line and another strike from 22yards or so which just missed top right corner. If Benteke is injured for the start of the season I would start him over Sorloth. Looks to have a little more grit. Kaikai has a quiet game and didn’t do himself a huge amount of good in his push for the first team. Still think he is worth a spot in the squad and subject to availability of other players and recruitment over the next week or so could (and should in my opinion) see himself on the bench for the first game of the season.

In terms of the subs only Brown and Daly warrant a mention with a Brown replacing O’Dwyer at centre back and did a decent job. Not sure is he is a natural centre back but didn’t really put a foot wrong and seemed calm on the ball with decent distribution as well. Daly looked bright, great first touch. Should have scored with a free header but it was straight at the keeper. Another player who could get a chance this season depending on recruitment and how seriously we take the cups.

Guita had very little to do. Didn’t have a save to make but dominated his box well, preempted a couple crosses and seemed calm on the ball.

Promising! Tried to take into account the quality of the opposition and would say we never really looked like conceding even if we were lacking up top.

Thanks for that comprehensive take

Looks like some of the more promising players are those we wouldn't be expecting to contribute to first XI for a year or so, anyways

Shame Wickham didn't make more of an impression though it is early days. Of those playing tonight he is probably the one we want to be immediately pressing for a place in the starting line up

If Schlupp is going to be a midfielder and Williams continues to impress, Puncheon may find his squad place in danger if we bring in a couple of midfielders in window

Thanks for the summary.

For those who watched the game did Iliman Ndiaye play for Boreham Wood, if so what was he like because we are linked with signing him on a free?