ExiledAjax

Open training sessions are very interesting, it's great to see the players in action outside of the usual match day rituals and games. I'd encourage anyone who can make it (given the time most will be working) to go along.

Darkest of horses but perhaps Birmingham could spring some surprises? Yes they've lost Che Adams but Jutkiewicz actually had a very good season last year. They've a solid squad even if few players jump out at you as being the type who can win you a game on his own. Crowley seems like he could be a decent signing. In pre-season they have managed to beat two of the "greatest" teams in the country so they must be up to something! I'd expect most would predict a top six of (in no particular order) Leeds, Fulham, Cardiff, West Brom, Stoke and Huddersfield. We'll then be categorised in the next cluster with the likes of Boro, Derby, Preston, Swansea, Sheff Wed, Forest, Brentford etc. All given the line of "If they can make it click and capitalise on their potential then this team could yet gatecrash the play-offs."

Every throw in has to be done like this.

Kick off like in table football. Instead of the ball starting static on the centre spot it is flicked by a giant mechanical finger from the edge of the pitch along the halfway line at high speed. On the opposite side of the pitch is a board to bounce it back into play. Also, let's be honest some goals are better than others. Therefore I'd also be a fan of implementing extra "style points" for goals. Back heels, rabonas, step overs in the build up, all these and more would contribute between 0.1 and 0.5 of a goal.

What's one goal between friends?

So the trip ends with no serious injuries, some great tans and an aggregate score of 8-1 across 3 slightly odd games. Just what everyone wanted I'm sure.

My mate who supports Southend and gets to Roots Hall fairly regularly bloody loves the boy.

No he did not. Sorry he only mentioned Webster and Brownhill specifically. He was just saying that he's very happy with where the players are physically. He specifically called us a "heavy" team and then gave those two players as examples.

I'd like to take a moment to note that it's great that both Kalas and Semenyo are fit enough to continue pre-season.

I'd forgotten. Cheers.

Wasn't mentioned. But yes he's a big lad up close. Looks like he's naturally a little less lean than someone like Brownhill or Paterson, but he's a solid unit. As an aside he did pretty well at LB in the rained off game v Derby. I think for many of them it is a result of not only hours in the gym but also that natural maturing you go through in your early 20s.

They've all put on muscle. Honestly all of them are stacked now. Webster has put on 16% muscle mass since he joined us. Brownhill gained 14% over the past year. Opi Edwards has gone from a tiny little lad to a stocky terror on the wing. Gilmartin is an absolute mountain of a man. We are a big, heavy team. Those stats as said by LJ at the open training session.

In the open training they did a whole 30 minute session on quickly playing from the CBs out to the wings to create an overload and then cross the ball in and score. At the same time they were training a quick press if that cross didn't find our player. Idea being to win the ball back high up the pitch and then shoot/score within 7 seconds of winning back the ball.

I think most will. In the second 60minute game v Derby the only subs made were for injury. I think we'll see this XI thrashed for 60mins then the kids com on for the 45 at the end. PS. Honestly if Eliasson isn't the second name on the team sheet after Super Sammie Szmodics then I despair.