I'm sure those who tied in City's game in Oostende to have a couple of days in Belgium had a great time, but I don't understand those who went only to watch the game and came back the same day. Look North filmed some of them, and they were disappointed on their way home. I could have saved them the bother and told them they'd be getting a game played at half-pace, players lacking sharpness not displaying the silky skills they're capable of, a series of substitutions, and no matter what the outcome of the match is it will leave you feeling empty. It's a friendly, not a European Cup tie.
If you do enjoy friendlies then good for you, your season following City has an extra month to it, but they don't sufficiently fill the space reserved for Hull City in my life. For the lack of return on the time and money spent going to them, I give them a miss. I'd rather the non-league season started early and go and cheer on North Ferriby for a couple of games.
|
I do think friendlies are of great importance to the players and the manager though. They obviously help the players' understanding of each other, fitness and match practice. Getting a few wins, even without points attached to them, should also give them a boost going into the first league game of the season. Just as importantly though, a good stuffing away to Crewe should give them a reminder that they won't get away with approaching the match in a certain way and not playing to the best of their abilities.
Friendlies might mean little to me, but the players should be trying to win them as much as any other game. It would be interesting if Phil Brown sends out the same starting line-up that lost at Crewe for tomorrow's game at Oldham. He said a couple might have "lost their rag" and got sent off if they stayed on for the second half at Crewe. Let's hope they've still got that fire in their bellies and channel it in the right way to stick it to Oldham.
There will be times this season in the Premier League when City just won't be good enough for the opposition and we'll lose by a few goals. It's not a disaster when that happens, as long as it makes the players all the more determined to get it right in the next game. If our players have got the right attitude, hopefully I won't need to use this headline again too many times.
Comment on this column on the message board.