Pre season friendlies are not about the fans, they are for the team: match practice, fitness, formation, integration, match day routine establishment etc etc. Nothing to do with the fans. Let the management get on with their jobs. We’ll thank them once the serious work starts.
Another fixture is being added for the following day, allowing fans to make a weekend of it. A little getaway to the New Forest would certainly appeal to a lot, although I can see why others wouldn’t be so keen.
They used to also be about taking a half decent side to local non-league clubs so they can get a reasonable crowd and a few quid behind the bar to help set them up for the season.
Does still happen in certain parts of the country, where the idea of solidarity and fraternity still exists beyond the neo-con abomination sport has become in the past 10-15 years, where sides in the national league system aren’t seen as commercial competitors but places where bigger clubs supporters play and volunteer and socialise.
But yes agree mainly about players at all levels, I quite enjoy them for watching tactically, how new players will fit etc
Posting here because it seems our club don't appear to have told anyone.
All a little bit odd with pre season this year - we seem to be playing development teams? Friday 22nd July is particularly strange as we are due to play an Aylesbury XI as well as a Bournemouth XI the same day. This is just 8 days until the season starts. Are we not having any first team friendlies?
Not sure if this is directed towards me. I am merely commenting that it is pretty unusual not to be playing any first team friendlies. No home friendly yet either, and if they were to add one it couldn't now be on a Saturday.
That's a bit unclear - that friendly "concludes" the pre-season schedule, but is it the last friendly to be announced? I.e. might they squeeze in more before that date?
Maybe the lack of home friendlies is due to the pitch being relaid, and early start to the season. The ground staff need to be given as much time as possible to get the pitch in top condition.
Yes, agreed, determining budgets for this season changes everything. Pete C relocating back to Louisiana, whilst totally understandable for family, will have changed the ‘mojo’ around the club as well.
Comments
Pre season friendlies are not about the fans, they are for the team: match practice, fitness, formation, integration, match day routine establishment etc etc. Nothing to do with the fans. Let the management get on with their jobs. We’ll thank them once the serious work starts.
Another fixture is being added for the following day, allowing fans to make a weekend of it. A little getaway to the New Forest would certainly appeal to a lot, although I can see why others wouldn’t be so keen.
And I'm sure there's a 'big' home friendly v PL/Champ oppo still TBA
Seems a lovely idea to play, essentially , at the out grounds.
It's the Bournemouth development squad...
https://www.afcb.co.uk/news/development-squad/development-squad-to-face-wycombe-in-friendly/
I would guess a game against Southampton as well? Reading at a push.
'Here are some games you can't get to, we'll tell you about games you can get to when we're good and ready.'
And, surprise! There is a game you can watch, but you'll only find out about it if you've got vigilant fans.
I was thinking Southampton as we've played their U23s a couple of times
They used to also be about taking a half decent side to local non-league clubs so they can get a reasonable crowd and a few quid behind the bar to help set them up for the season.
Does still happen in certain parts of the country, where the idea of solidarity and fraternity still exists beyond the neo-con abomination sport has become in the past 10-15 years, where sides in the national league system aren’t seen as commercial competitors but places where bigger clubs supporters play and volunteer and socialise.
But yes agree mainly about players at all levels, I quite enjoy them for watching tactically, how new players will fit etc
@peterparrotface I’ve said elsewhere that I enjoy pre seasons as well, for the reasons you mention.
"Saints will then host League One opposition in Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday 23rd July (3pm BST) at Staplewood Training Ground"
https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-06-28/b-team-pre-season-schedule-southampton-football-club-2022-23
Posting here because it seems our club don't appear to have told anyone.
All a little bit odd with pre season this year - we seem to be playing development teams? Friday 22nd July is particularly strange as we are due to play an Aylesbury XI as well as a Bournemouth XI the same day. This is just 8 days until the season starts. Are we not having any first team friendlies?
Current friendlies - 1st Team
vs Fulham U23s on Saturday 9th July (k.o. 12pm) BCD
vs Oxford City on Tuesday 12th July (k.o. 6pm) BCD
vs Watford on Saturday 16th July (k.o. 1pm) BCD
vs Bournemouth (at Brockenhurst FC) on Friday 22nd July k.o. 7.45pm
vs Southampton Development Team (at Staplewood Training Ground) on Saturday 23rd July k.o. 3pm
Development team friendlies
vs Bracknell Town (A), Friday 8th July, k.o. 7.30pm
vs Aylesbury United (A), Friday 22nd July, ko. 7.30pm
vs Chesham United (A), Friday 29th July, k.o. 7.30pm
vs Worthing (A), Tuesday 2nd August, k.o. 7.45pm
I am not seeing many possible dates to fit in any proper first team friendlies before we play Burton on 30th July.
I would imagine the first team will be playing Bournemouth's reserves, while the game at Aylesbury will be a nice outing for the trialist family.
Are some doubting the preseason strategy?
Not sure if this is directed towards me. I am merely commenting that it is pretty unusual not to be playing any first team friendlies. No home friendly yet either, and if they were to add one it couldn't now be on a Saturday.
I hate friendlies, but it's certainly unusual to not have a first team home friendly or 2.
It wasn't that long ago where there was a bit of excitement about getting a big team in and potentially seeing some stars.
Maybe the big teams tending to do money grabbing tours tends to wreck that a bit though.
Don’t forget we’re a big club ourselves now @Malone
Admittedly not sure a few days in the New Forest counts as a “money grabbing tour,” but baby steps…
https://twitter.com/wwfcofficial/status/1541856935884062721?s=21&t=fvBQK11v8WDUP7_-C1TGvQ
so three friendlies against U23 teams it is.
That's a bit unclear - that friendly "concludes" the pre-season schedule, but is it the last friendly to be announced? I.e. might they squeeze in more before that date?
(Am I overthinking this?)
The only thing left is to give the pre-season an outrageously exaggerated name, like the 'Feel The Thunder Preseason Tour'...
"ARE YOU READY?
Fulham U-23s!!!!
Bracknell!!!!
Southampton Development Team!!!!
FEEL THE THUNDER!!!!"
Our pre season friendlies are a long way from the hoped for "Tour of the Depth South" USA style.
Maybe the lack of home friendlies is due to the pitch being relaid, and early start to the season. The ground staff need to be given as much time as possible to get the pitch in top condition.
In which case maybe they could just tell us there will be no home friendlies due to work on the pitch. (preferably not behind a paywall)
There is no communication anymore... its the new way it seems
It feels to me as though the wind was completely taken out of their sails by the Wembley defeat.
Need to shake it off and get some enthusiasm whipped up for the new season.
I agree with @eric_plant.
It does feel that way
Yes, agreed, determining budgets for this season changes everything. Pete C relocating back to Louisiana, whilst totally understandable for family, will have changed the ‘mojo’ around the club as well.
@eric_plant I think so too. Although I feel the same way, so I can hardly blame them.
Oh, I didn't realise he'd permanently relocated