Bethnal

I've dropped you a DM to get further into this. We're on a relatively tight turnaround, but can make quick progress, hopefully.

Genuinely very embarrassing that we’ve given the #8 shirt to Tavares. Do not want to be hammering on about it as much as I am, but he’s lacking in absolutely every department.

Plumbs new depths with every touch.

De Neve isn’t at the level, looks lost whenever he’s on the pitch.

Yeah, Morishita has quality, he’s an intelligent footballer. Poor cross, but his decision making is good and he plays the right way.

Tavares is pony

I fully expect no feathers ruffled but to paraphrase: ”I look at the squad today and I think it’s strong, even with Sean suspended… there’s been a lot of noise about the Championship experience in the squad, but all those players with championship experience that left, at one time they didn’t have any championship experience.” Why spin a very obvious lie? Only thing I can think of is that Venky’s (or one of their underlings) watch the games via a Rovers TV feed and this is some kind of cynical targeted propaganda system. Bit tinfoil hat, I’ll admit, but he’s such a dickhead otherwise, it wouldn’t surprise me.

Opposite Day: Ismael in the Vicarage Rd away dugout, Watford won’t sack the manager after a loss.

Warren Lucy is such an apologist for his paymasters, it’s embarrassing

No urgency, idle threat throughout. Most look like they’re still in 2nd gear. Miller has early indications of a good signing, it other than that, this is a poor side we’ve got and will struggle.

Conversely - the CB who’s probably meant to be meeting first ball is totally absent and second to the ball. Agreed that Henriksson misjudged it but I think CBs should take ownership of a long throw that basically hits the middle of the box.

I believe it’s heavily coached into players that you don’t let it bounce. He didn’t seem to want to know about the throw and Henrikssen ended up going for it and beating him to it. As a centre back, unless it’s arriving somewhere unexpected you have to be first to it. To be fair to him, he’s far from the worst showing today but I’d rather have Wharton in there.

Could be a high point on this showing.

Ryan Hedges has lost the one yard of pace he previously had. And personally, I think McLoughlin has looked alright in the moments with low pressure but he’s entirely missing at set plays and the long throws. Doesn’t seem to like to win the first ball, which isn’t a good trait for a centre back.

Like Alebiosu’s application, but what is that weird step over technique about?

Fun game to take our minds off our situation for the season - join me in my game of “spot the foul throw.” Most are these days.

Yeah De Neve isn’t at the level.

De Neve looks like he’s either very nervous or miles off the level. Remains to be seen which one.

It’s the game before the season opener, so I’d have assumed this is the starting lineup to expect on Saturday. Even still, do we reckon De Neve will integrate with the way we play soon?

How does De Neve get a start ahead of Kargbo?

Scores don’t matter in pre-season, but looking abject does. We’ve a weak team if two absent starters drop us this far below the standard. Pasha no doubt chuckling his way to a second Aston Martin as a thank you bonus for saving the Raos more money, the scoundrel.

I like Tyjon and I hope he comes to great success for us and wherever he moves to next. He is not a viable replacement for Cantwell. We have looked much the poorer side so far. Nobody to knit play together in the middle. I happened to think De Neve isn’t much of a player, but I stand to be corrected and have never wanted to see anyone in blue and white do poorly. But I have the same kind of feeling about him as I did Telalovic. Seen little in the pre-season to convince otherwise. I think we’re three or four quality additions short of a mid-table squad.

You can see what everyone likes about Tyjon. Confident and intelligent. Young and a bit raw, but the talent is there. Wouldn’t mind him as backup for the 10 role at all. Montgomery doesn’t look like a kid anymore and Atcheson and Litherland look to have something about them as well.

I will say - I’m glad de Neve’s got a goal here as he’s otherwise looked like he has a lot of homework to do to get up to speed. Could be confidence or comfort, so the more it clicks for him the better. Would like to be seeing Kargbo second half as De Neve’s been out of position for tracking back successfully and doesn’t look like he fancies the press so much. We look fit but as everyone’s been saying, the extent of the press looks unsustainable.