Like the Everton game I'm not paying to much attention to a meaningless friendly. However, surely it can't be even up for debate that the side and squad at this time is significantly weaker than the one that ended the season?

Norwich lost against NAC Breda. NAC Breda came in 15th and NEC 8th.

Disappointing result & performance, but worth remembering that Everton aside, this was the toughest test of the summer when you factor in travel & the fact that they finished 8th in the Eredivisie. I can't imagine many of our league opponents will be as strong as NEC.

Agree - the lack of ability is startling and the team is clearly worse than the one that finished last season Relegation thread incoming - probably after Saturday's opener and inevitable defeat at West Brom

it`s heavy odds on that travis will be moving,his agent will be on overtime this weekend,i feel sorry for val,he`s been lied to like jdt and eustace,there is no investment or ambition from the **** running the club

So. The brilliant Kargbo played 20 minutes and then faded. Maybe that's why he doesn't start. Rovers look like a relegation side already.

Unlikely. Gibson will go the extra mile if needs be. The other way around and we would be pulling out straight away.

Enjoyed watching NEC, some really good technical players, great touches, great movement. Pressed us well. We have always struggled when pressed, our players need space and when pressed quickly run out of ideas. Kargbo obviously stood out but we can't rely on only one player this season, he'll soon get kicked to death or double marked out of a game. Gueye - less said the better. Had allowed myself to get optimistic with the earlier wins but this performance doesn't bode well for the season ahead. Need some quality signings and soon.

Agree with the comments regards Travis. Head went down when Eustace left, that was obvious. Now he's seen two of his team mates reunited with JE, Dolan gone to Spain and now Brittain off too. He's good mates with Sammie Szmodics too and just get the feeling they are telling him to move on. The club is a cess pit with Pasha and Gestede running things. Hate to be negative, but this season is going to be tough.

I said earlier in thread that we were much better in the second half but inevitably that didn't last. We probably played well in total for 15-20 mins of a 90 min game which is nowhere near good enough and ultimately 3-1 flattered us

Saw enough there to be concerned that a couple of injuries to key players would be incredibly impactful. Kargbo livened things up for 20 minutes then disappeared. The defence looked brittle. The midfield largely overrun. The attack - anonymous for 70 minutes. Without significant signings in August this squad has us looking down the league not up. We can but hope that Sheffield Weds & Hull City book two of the places and Charlton/PNE/Oxford stumble else it could be a tough old watch.

There is a lot of work to do..and a lot of Players to sign.🙄

We never give new contracts to anybody these days. It's all about cost-cutting.

Kargbo and Tyjon apart, nobody did themselves any favours against a really crisp NEC who were easily the best pre-season opposition this summer.

He will be the best player here before long.

They found a good balance to share the goals/assists last season in those two plus Dolan and Weimann but now it's back to eggs in one basket whilst praying another couple of unproven types step up. Big big risk and needless to be honest because players are out there but these lot don't want to know unless it's 5 grand a week or less, free or a few hundred grand plus add ons and under 25. Useless policy without money.

Dreadful display, kick and rush football, no guile, poor passing, disjointed.

Utterly depressing. It was like they were playing another sport to us. Quick first time passing into runners while we are heavy two touches and then pass under pressure to a player who is stood still.

Good opposition this Dutch side and we have struggled to compete for large parts of the game. Kristi despite being out of position got a good pasting out there today. Ribeiro struggling down that side the whole of first half without any protection from De Neve.Travis and Tronstad completely outplayed in the middle and not competing. Second half Kargbo direct and causing many problems and deserved his goal. Not many performances to be positive about really. We really need to get more quality bodies in, our outlet last season was all down the right channel and it was non existent in today’s game. There need to be work done on the forward line as we are struggling to create anything.

Hackney has said no to Ipswich so Boro might not have the funds...

We need help all across the front line. Not sure anyone of our front 3 start in any other side in the championship

I know it's preseason and players won't want to pick up injuries but I thought the same thing about Travis, he doesn't look interested. I reckon you're right about his head being turned, all his mates moving on and earning more money than he is, probably texting him about how much better everything is now they're away from our circus.

Travis looked absolutely fuming today

What i can't believe is one or two posters on here doing the club PR work of saying we are fine with Gueye and Yuki as our main strikers this season. Beggers belief that and can only be toeing the club mantra of giving mins and increasing value being the number 1 priority over everything else. We NEED quality up top and failing that we need another hardworking presser with an eye for goal that isn't Leonard.

Looks like Hackney has rejected the move to Ipswich - wonder if that impacts Boro's offer for Brittain?