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Well pre season is well under way now and the first game of the season brought many good points. With so many new players in the team there was always going to be the problem of us all gelling together. However their were many positives to take from the team, the fact we now have so many new good players joining the team, and them all coming to terms with the Newbury Forest way of thinking and work rate.

The game it self was going to be a hard one with all the changes that were going on, nevertheless I felt everyone applied them selves very well. As john him self said when was the last time we scored 3 and looked like we could have scored more when ever we felt like. I must that there were many good debut displays during the game, but I must give a special shout to Andy Saunders for an outstanding Zola type goal.

Now for the ratings

Graham Tritton GK
Despite that the fact he smelt like a brewery had another competent game in between the sticks. Gave the team confidence, apart from when he thought he’d take on 2 attackers.

Chris “Animal” Wallbank RB
All I’m gonna say is I wouldn’t wanna meet him in a dark alley. Seems to have picked up from where he left off last season. Bedded in well and started to get forward well. God help us when he gets in shooting positions.

Richard “Disco” Saunders CB
Seems to have fitted in like a jigsaw puzzle. Started to drop off well to give the midfield room to work in, and was always and option for his fellow back players.

Nick “Chav” Marable CB
Even though he’s a sad West Ham fan, he has brought quality to the back line. He has good distribution and will add something different to the team.

Tommy “Paulo” Stapleton LB
Even though he did have an Horrific injury, he has come back well and started to get back to his crazy Wanchope ways. Lord helps us once the season starts.

Arnold “The Rock” Djejde LB
Played out of position, but gave a good account of him self. Can see he’s chomping at the bit to get his place back at the heart of the defence. Always looks strong at the back with loads of pace.

Rob “Mr Carlos” Hurst RB
First game in a long time for the steely veteran, just feeling his way back into the team and training.

John “You don’t know how I roll” Hassan DM
John is like a ride on the river Thames, not as flashy and beautiful as Venice, but gets the job done while your there. Not his best performance in the world, but hey its not like he’s been doing any training.

David “Captain not so fantastic as me” De rijk DM
He’s like a well oiled machine, ticks all the right boxes and does all the right things, now enough about me lets talk about Del. Just as always, seems to do things effortlessly, its either that or he’s just lazy. I’ll let you decide.

Luke “I’ll have ya” Mardle AM
Another newcomer to the team whose fitted in well. Seems to offer a lot going forward with his link up play. Was unlucky with his free kick in the second half and lets say showed lots of aggression.

Justin “Ho Bag, yeah that’s right ho Bag” Caesar AM
Another one who has come in, and bought into the Newbury way of thinking. Had a decent performance in midfield, but thought he did even better at left back. Yeah that’s right in the changing rooms; the old ones are the best.

Dave “Soon to be 30” Zarcaro AM
As the oldest outfield player in the team, he still manages to roll back the years. Good performance in the middle of the park. Always looking for the ball, which is what you from our midfield.

Danny “the quiet Pretty Boy, look Chris he’s coming for your title” Chester WF
Have always been impressed when I’ve seen him play, and he didn’t disappoint. Gets up and down the park well, but also has a bit of class about him. Did look more comfortable when in the middle of the back.

Dave “2nd Fastest in the team” Ademakinwa AM
Quickest of all the new players, nut not of the big daddy’s of the team. Yeah that’s right. The youngest show lots of hard work and determination when on the field. Now needs to knuckle down and secure his place in the team. Always gonna be a handful because of his liveliness.

Jey “Flake” Siva WF
With 99 soon to be on his back, flaky was always in the thick of the good things that happened. His movement and skill opened up many chances for others in the team.

Andrew “Pisshead” Saunders CF
Capped of a good display with a wonderful goal. Always looked like an option up top and as John said has a good turn of pace. A promising debut for the new comer

Frankie “Good to see you back” Perez WF
Good to have you back, work rate was always there as he tried to help out his full back. Nice game to bring himself back into the set up

Alfie “Yes that’s right scored with first touch of the ball” Egembah
Got a lot to prove this year with all the new players, so had been chopping at the bit to play. I thought there was some interesting link up play with some of the guys which can only lead to good things. I thought it was alright game for myself, but there is still room for improvement.

Scorers
Alfie Egembah 2 (1 pen)
Andy Saunders

Assists
Luke Mardle
Andy Saunders

Overall boys it was a nice start to pre season, but that’s all it was. We will need to continue to performing like this and move on from it. As the teams we play will only get harder.

That’s it for now