01 Aug 2026 12:46:19
So, pre season and will try not to overreact. That was generally a bang average performance.
I am not a fan of Tosin but he was shocking as was Josh. Also Palmer anonymous.
Things can (hopefully) only get better.
01 Aug 2026 14:03:24
I didn't see any of it. Tom was just following some online written commentary. Did seem Pedro was a threat, and that we squandered quite a few very good chances to get a second goal, but depressingly, managed to lose to a ten-man Spurs team who were also missing quite a few players.
Palmer being anonymous was too frequent a factor last season, when he was clearly battling with injury but didn't get the recommended surgery.
His only really top performances came in his debut season under Poch, and in the CWC under Maresca.
Do you think Alonso set us up right? Of course he does, and will need to judge who to keep or sell.
How were Estevao and Gittens (if Gittens was playing)?
Did anyone stand out in a positive way for you?
01 Aug 2026 14:04:23
I watched the first 70 odd minutes and switched off when the subs came on and went outside. I thought Palestra looked very raw and a little sluggish. Will take a little bit of time to get up to speed with English football. Gittens looked better than last season but not a huge accomplishment in itself. Wesley is atrocious and I really hope we're putting him in the window.
I actually thought Cole was one of our better players and played some beautiful balls.
It is pre season and I can't imagine his personality lends itself to getting too amped up for it.
The youngster (32) looked really assured when he came on at the start of the second half and seemed an upgrade on Lavia, who thankfully made it through 45 minutes unscathed. There's a big difference between Caicedo and Enzo in the middle compared to Lavia and Essugo and I am not worried about the result at all.
01 Aug 2026 14:31:51
JBS, Gittens did well enough, and, in my opinion, Palestra looked ok. Pedro always looked dangerous, as did Estevao.
I know it's early in pre season, but, in my opinion, it was generally a poor team performance.
01 Aug 2026 14:45:29
I have been involved in football for years, as a manager and former player, and have always regarded pre-season friendlies as a way of:
1 Improving match fitness.
2 Looking at trialists.
3 Implementing tactics.
4 Avoiding injuries.
1 was achieved.
2 was achieved, with 1 or 2 impressing.
3, a few signs.
4 achieved.
01 Aug 2026 15:13:20
Thanks all for further info and comments.
01 Aug 2026 15:33:24
I didn't see the game. Always disappointing to lose to Spurs. Thanks for the reports. I'm not worried - yet.
01 Aug 2026 16:06:53
We have a new manager with different tactics and new players, plus more to join the squad. Also, there will be outgoings, with maybe one or two more coming in.
On another day, we could, and maybe should, have won by 4.
01 Aug 2026 22:54:35
Long time viewer but new poster. Tom, you have highlighted Josh as being shocking? A young kid starting out on his football journey. Please try to be patient with these young players. We lost Rio, Salah, KDB, Olise, and so many others. Your sort of digs don't help.
What if the young lad read your comment? His confidence might be low. I like Bill's comments far more than yours, and also Jimbo's and JBS. Tom, you appear to be in control of the page and spoil it for others who then do not post.
02 Aug 2026 01:17:40
Tom has given more to this site than almost anyone, keeping things active while many other club pages have slowly died. He has certainly given far more than someone who I've never seen post before.
He has spoken huge praise for Josh for a couple of years now, and if he called the performance 'shocking', you can be certain it's an honest assessment from a lifelong blue.
If Josh reads this page and gets discouraged by a post from someone he doesn't know, I'd be extremely worried about his mental fortitude. This season is a big season for a youth product that is yet to grasp the chances he has had.
In future, Dingo, try adding someone to this page before berating those that have been doing so for years.
02 Aug 2026 06:26:04
Melbourne, we have a long-term viewer who would have read comments from certain posters that are personal about players, managers, SDs and owners, but has chosen to post about a poster saying, in his opinion, a player's performance was "shocking."
I believe I have always been an advocate of giving players, managers, SDs and owners time to prove their worth.
I have often been criticised for not making, in my view, rash judgements about any individual.
As always, I will give my view on players and managers on a game-by-game basis, followed by an end of season summary.
Melbourne, thanks for your comments.
I also look forward to our new (first-time) poster making future contributions.
02 Aug 2026 10:50:47
I have noticed there are a few new names and I sincerely hope everyone sticks around. I also hope those that have left come back and participate. The more posters on here, the more interesting the site can be.
Tom, I like your posts. Even though, at times, we don't agree, that is the joy of the site. We can have differing views, but the end game is we all support our wonderful club.
02 Aug 2026 11:23:39
Bill, I only agree with myself. ?
{Ed001's Note - and then only sometimes.}
02 Aug 2026 11:53:32
The whole idea of the site is to exchange views, and there will always be differences of opinion. Just as long as people keep it respectful, then that's great.
A couple of days ago I posted that I think Mudryk is an awful player with zero football IQ. Other people think he's super talented, and I need to give my head a wobble!
??♂️
02 Aug 2026 12:38:53
swcfc
I'm one who thinks that we need to give a rejuvenated Mudryk a chance, and who knows what Alonso can get out of him.
That being said, I would not want to see your head wobble.
02 Aug 2026 13:35:09
If I remember correctly, we had a poster suggest that a Chelsea player was a "drunk silverback gorilla."
I will always try my best to avoid personal abuse about fellow posters, players, managers, SD's and owners. We should remember. We should remember that we had the CFC president posting a response on this site about a week ago.
I have zero problem with constructive criticism, and I suspect, if a player was to read the posts on this site, they would see that a significant amount of posters try to be considered with their opinions.
02 Aug 2026 13:58:41
Ed001, you're right: sometimes I can't remember what my opinions are.
02 Aug 2026 14:03:26
Tom, this is a banter site; a little bit of humour is okay as long as it is reasonable.
Not sure what you're on about: CFC president? Should we be on our best behaviour?
02 Aug 2026 14:41:56
Jimbo, judging reasonable isn't always easy. I personally always try my best to give my opinions as if I was talking to a family member, but maybe some families have gorillas or donkeys.
Jimbo, you obviously missed the CFC president replying to the thread about SB Bridge development and poor club communication. If I remember correctly, Bill asked a follow up question, and he didn't respond.
02 Aug 2026 15:47:44
You are correct, Tom.
02 Aug 2026 15:59:39
You get used to him dingo
02 Aug 2026 16:54:31
One thing is for sure Didier Drogba wouldn't make such comments. ?