Pre-Season 2021-22

[samhaydenjr]

Well it's that time of year - you know, when we get all excited about an underage player scoring a hat-trick in pre-season for his Premier League senior team, only for him to end up on the bench in the Leinster Senior League one year later. Which brings me neatly to the first team... Celtic:
All four remaining players lined out in the second half in their 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday - worryingly, Celtic's website refers to them as the "Second XI", not the "second-half XI"
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/july/Celts-kick-off-pre-season-schedule-with-win-against-Sheffield-Wednesday/

[tetsujin1979]

Conor Coventry starting for West Ham in their preseason game against Dundee, with Ryan Sweeney starting for them
Randolph and Odubeko on the bench for the Hammers
1413447235887529995
1413455343296733184

[Razors left peg]

Mad that preseason already starting, with the Euros still on it still feels like last season hasn't finished.

We've been fooled into thinking that preseason games mattered before in the sense that good performances dont translate into 1st team appearances come kick off of the season, but you would think its a massive preseason for a lot of our younger players.

Top of the list would be Aaron Connolly I would think. He really needs a good preseason to get himself fit and focused. I have my doubts he will do it but this is a huge season for him. He will see himself being offloaded to the lower divisions if he has another season like last.
Also at Brighton it would be good to see Andrew Moran involved in the 1st team there. Might be a bit too soon for Evan Ferguson?

Parrott and Idah need good preseasons too. Idah needs to figure out if hes going to be get much 1st team football this season or would a season on loan be better for him. Parrott would definitely be going on loan Id imagine, hes a million miles from 1st team at Spurs no matter what he does in preseason.

Few players at Southampton that preseason is important for too. Smallbone coming back from his injury, can Obafemi ever get fit and stay fit, and even Will Ferry has been on the bench a good few times last season without making an impact in 1st team.

Will be interesting to see how Collins fits in to Burnley after the move. After spending that kind of money you'd hope that they have him starting sooner rather than later.

[tetsujin1979]

Conor Noss started for Borussia Monchengladbach today against Viktoria Koln
The game was streamed on YouTube
5pR4L6OlUkw

[samhaydenjr]

Positive start at Cardiff for James Collins, scoring a brace in his half against Bath. Mark McGuinness played the second half: https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/pre-season-match-report-bath-city-0-5-cardiff-city

Olamide Shodipo's loan move to Sheffield Wednesday came in spite of scoring the winner for QPR against Portsmouth - Conor Masterson played for the second half: https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/qpr-overcome-portsmouth-in-pre-season-friendly-070721/

[samhaydenjr]

Games starting to come thick and fast now - first Prem club up is Everton, with a 3-0 training game victory over Accrington Stanley - Tom Cannon opened the scoring for them: https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2187383/everton-beat-accrington-in-practice-game

Sean Maguire scored twice as Preston beat Bamber Bridge 8-3 - Greg Cunningham and Adam O'Reilly both lined out with him in the second half: https://www.pnefc.net/news/2021/july/match-report-for-bamber-bridge-vs-preston-north-end-on-10-jul-21/

John Egan was on the mark for Sheffield United against Gibraltar side Europa: https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2021/july/Europa-Point-0-3-Blades-report/

Joshua Kayode and Kieran Sadlier both scored and Chiedozie Ogbene was credited with an assist, as they beat a local team called Parkgate 11-0: https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2021/july/match-report-for-parkgate-fc-vs-rotherham-united-on-10-jul-21/

And on a downer note, none of the Irish quartet at Celtic lined out against Charlton: https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/july/Celtic-defeat-Charlton-in-convincing-fashion-to-make-it-two-wins-from-two-in-pre-season/

[tommy_c12000]

Luca Connell did come on for the last 10 to 15 minutes, but yes, the early signs of the new regime are not good from an Irish perspective. The upcoming European games will likely mean the manager will be sticking with the tried and tested for now

[tommy_c12000]

I do see Celtic Colts are now in the Lowlands league (5th tier of senior Scottish football), starting July 17, and will likely be in league 2 (same as Luca’s Queens Park last season) next year with maximum permitted promotion to league 1. So makes moves to Celtic slightly more palatable for our youngsters like Lawal. But only slightly more so

[tommy_c12000]

I do see Celtic Colts are now in the Lowlands league (5th tier of senior Scottish football), starting July 17, and will likely be in league 2 (same as Luca’s Queens Park last season) next year with maximum permitted promotion to league 1. So makes moves to Celtic slightly more palatable for our youngsters like Lawal. But only slightly more so

I see there proposal for league 2 status was just shut down by other clubs again, I’m sure they will be back with an updated proposal and more money. Colts still play in 5th tier this year anyways I believe

[Eirambler]

The smaller Scottish clubs are very resistant to them being allowed to play in the Scottish football league, they have repeatedly tried to get in over the last few years but have been rejected every time. Anytime there's any kind of restructuring proposal they try to get in on it by offering money etc., but they get a resounding no from the clubs each time. The lowland league is a very poor level, it's the fifth tier, but even then it's regionalised, only half the fifth tier teams play in it with the other half in the Highland League, so the standard is as poor as you would expect.

[samhaydenjr]

Good night for Irish players at West Ham as they split their squad: Odubeko and Coventry lined out against Northampton Town, who had Dylan Connolly in their team, with Coventry scoring the winner: https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/July/13-July/GoalsNorthamptonTown12WestHamUnited

Meanwhile, Armstrong Okoflex seems to have made more progress in a month with the Hammers than he did in two years at Celtic, starting the other team's scoreless draw with Leyton Orient, along with Randolph. Aaron Drinan played for the O's: https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/July/13-July/LiveBlogLeytonOrientvWestHamUnited
(https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/July/13-July/LiveBlogLeytonOrientvWestHamUnited)
New recruit Sammie Szmodics on target for Peterborough against Stamford: https://www.theposh.com/news/2021/july/dembele-on-target-in-friendly-win-at-stamford/



(https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/July/13-July/LiveBlogLeytonOrientvWestHamUnited)

[CraftyToePoke]

New recruit Sammie Szmodics on target for Peterborough against Stamford

I was at this one earlier, he missed two one on ones also, one he took way too long and the defender ( a semi pro ) got back at him and blocked his strike after he was clear, the second one he was so far clear no one could catch him but he bent it wide of the far post.

He and Jack Taylor played the first 45, Christy Pym played the second half. Another one of ours now. Taylor didn't give it away but neither did he take any forward passing risks, all square balls but always tidy. Pym had little to do and he's small for a footballer never mind a keeper, plenty talk from him though organising the lads in front of him.

Just nice to be able to go see a game again mostly.

[Eirambler]

Is Pym fully confirmed as Irish now? Had heard it was a possibility but it went quiet again after that. He is awfully small for a keeper alright, not sure how I'd feel about him as our goalie because of that - must be one of the smallest in the football league.

[sadloserkid]

The internet seems adamant that Pym is 6'0 - if that is the case he's no giant but I wouldn't consider it a deal-breaker.

[seanfhear]

Is Pym fully confirmed as Irish now? Had heard it was a possibility but it went quiet again after that. He is awfully small for a keeper alright, not sure how I'd feel about him as our goalie because of that - must be one of the smallest in the football league.
What would be wrong with High Heeled Boots ?

[CraftyToePoke]

Is Pym fully confirmed as Irish now? Had heard it was a possibility but it went quiet again after that. He is awfully small for a keeper alright, not sure how I'd feel about him as our goalie because of that - must be one of the smallest in the football league.

This is where it was at earlier in the year - https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40246481.html
Doesn't sound like a passport holder to me, so that would need to be sorted out so who knows, O'Leary from Bristol was in a late Mick squad and went to get his papers in order & was never mentioned again.


The internet seems adamant that Pym is 6'0 - if that is the case he's no giant but I wouldn't consider it a deal-breaker.

Could the internet be lying on his behalf SLK ? :) I was about twenty feet from him and remember thinking I was as tall as him, I'm 5 11 but I could be wrong, he was with the first team back four who are all basketballer level tall.

What is definite here is he has copped himself on weight wise in close season, he's in better shape. He has also signed a three year extension at Peterborough in May and the keeper they brought in was back up at Ipswich last season, so he's likely to start in goals in the Championship. And as things are shaping up, wouldn't that make him our highest level & regularly startinging keeper option ?

[samhaydenjr]

Is Pym fully confirmed as Irish now? Had heard it was a possibility but it went quiet again after that. He is awfully small for a keeper alright, not sure how I'd feel about him as our goalie because of that - must be one of the smallest in the football league.


The internet seems adamant that Pym is 6'0 - if that is the case he's no giant but I wouldn't consider it a deal-breaker.

Jordan Pickford is 6'1", but looked tiny next to Donnarumma on Sunday. I seem to remember watching Phil Harrington for Cork City (who's 1cm shorter than Pym) and he used to stand on his toes at corners

Anyway, Pym, O'Leary and Bonham are surely worth watching if Kelleher, Bazunu and/or Travers take time to develop

Speaking of Max O'Leary, he kept a clean sheet for 76 minutes against Celtic - O'Dowda played the last half-hour - no mention of any of the lads at Celtic: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/match-report-bristol-city-0-0-celtic/

Intriguing news from Middlesbrough - 17-year-old Calum Kavanagh played the second half against Bishop Auckland: https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/match-report-bishop-auckland-0-boro-3

And another goal for Josh Kayode, in Rotherham's 4-0 win over Hungarian opposition III. Keruleti TVE in Budapest: https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2021/july/match-report-for-iii.-keruleti-tve-vs-rotherham-united-on-14-jul-21/

[elatedscum]

Pretty sure Pickford is more like between 5’11 and 6’0, I know he’s listed as 6’1. Footballer heights are really unreliable. Guys sometime are measured with boots and studs on, small people on their tippy toes etc etc...

For example Jordan Henderson is listed as 5’11 and a half (1.82m) and is side by a tiny bit taller than Pickford

[seanfhear]

Pickford certainly has small man syndrome in goal = Angry little fella.

[samhaydenjr]

Friday's pre-season:

Adam Idah on target already, with a late goal against King's Lynn after coming on for the second half. Interestingly, Omobamidele played the full game: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/july/match-report-kings-lynn-v-norwich/

Travers and Kilkenny both played the first half of Bournemouth's 4-2 win over Spanish opposition Linense - unfortunately Bournemouth were 2-1 down at half-time: https://twitter.com/afcbournemouth/status/1416065138139045894

[samhaydenjr]

... and for Saturday

Alex Gilbert played the first half for Brentford against Wimbledon: https://www.brentfordfc.com/fixtures/first-team/202122/july/afcw-vs-brentford-on-17-jul-21/

Jake O'Brien played the second half (and almost scored, apparently) for Crystal Palace against Walsall, who had Stephen Ward, Liam Kinsella and Emmanuel Osadebe in their line-up: https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/report-vieiras-eagles-get-off-to-flying-start-against-walsall/2021-07-17/

Troy Parrott got a 25-minute run-out for Spurs against Leyton Orient. Aaron Drinan played the first 68 minutes for the O's - neither scored: https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2021/july/all-square-at-orient-in-first-game-of-pre-season/

Tommie Hoban appears to have featured well in keeping a clean sheet for Crewe against Wolves: https://www.crewealex.net/news/2021/july/crewe-1-0-wolves/

[tetsujin1979]

Jamie Bowden was involved for Spurs as well

[Kingdom]

Thanks for all these updates gents (and gent in ladies clothing). Great to get a sense of where we stand as we get closer to the start of the season.

[tetsujin1979]

Conor Noss scored his first goal for Borussia Moechengladbach against Pederborn in a 3-1 loss on Saturday
(skip to 3:40)
-TndaPhBG6g
Nice reaction to the block on the initial shot

[tetsujin1979]

Travers and Kilkenny planned the first 68 minutes for Bournemouth against Granada: https://www.afcb.co.uk/news/first-team/cherries-beaten-by-luis-suarezs-winner/
Every starting player was substituted at 68 minutes, apart from Smith who went off at half time

[passinginterest]

Looks like none of the Irish youngsters at Celtic have even made the bench for their champions League qualifier. Not looking like the new manager is making any difference to their prospects there.

[elatedscum]

they should all be on the phone to their agents. Squad of 23 + Jullien, Johnston, Dembele injured + Furuhashi in quarantine + Ntchem and Ajer not mentally right. Puts them down to 30th to 35th members of the squad. Plus they'll probably add a few new names.

Worst part is, it's not even like the lads that are playing are any use, bar one or two. Celtic have just taken to buying guys in the early 20s from Scottish sides and European leagues and once they buy them at that age for a bit of money, they feel a need to give them enough game time to develop. (Basically trying to replicate Van Dijk, Wanyama etc.) Most aren't good enough and don't and a few do. Meanwhile the youth players aren't expecting immediate game time and therefore don't get it. The structures in Scotland are so poor that it makes it difficult for them to develop and most go backwards... No idea why they aren't part of the reserve league in scotland?

It's also the sheer quantity of players they sign every year. Including loans, they've averaged 9.8 signings of senior players per season over the past 5 seasons. Haven't included this year cause it's still in progress. That's partly caused by the number of miss signings and low cost gambles they take, alongside the number of loans that need replacing, nonetheless, it really blocks youth players when you're trying to bed 10 new players into your club every season and give them enough minutes to see what and who they are...

The new manager said after the game that he doesn't have a strong squad. He's also tried to sign 4 more players recently. Doesn't bode well for any of them if he doesn't rate the squad and yet can't find a place for O'Connor, Afolabi or Connell...

Anyway, total disaster of a club. Given the advantages they had over Rangers and everyone else in Scotland, it took a real series of ****-ups to and bad management to get them to where they are now...

[samhaydenjr]

Third of pre-season for James Collins - Mark McGuinness played the full ninety for Cardiff against Forest Green Rovers: https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/pre-season-report-forest-green-rovers-1-2-cardiff-city

Chiedozie Ogbene opened his pre-season account after coming on as a second-half sub against Rochdale. Joshua Kayode played all but the last few minutes for Rotherham:https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2021/july/match-report-for-rochdale-vs-rotherham-united-on-20-jul-21/

Portsmouth played but no sign of Bazunu in the squad - at the other end, Max O'Leary was between the sticks for Bristol City for ninety minutes: https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/bristol-city-3-pompey-3/

Andrew Omobamidele played the full ninety minutes for Norwich against Lincoln, Adam Idah started and was replaced at half-time, josh Giurgi was an unused sub for Norwich against Lincoln: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/july/match-report-norwich-city-v-lincoln-city/

Ryan Johansson played the second half for Sevilla against Coventry, however I don't know how many of those who came on at that time were also at Sevilla B: https://www.sevillafc.es/actualidad/noticias/cronica-sevilla-fc-coventry-city-21-22

Festy Ebosele played the last half-hour against Man united on Sunday: https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2021/07/derby-county-vs-manchester-united-match-report-pre-season-friendly-18th-july-2021

[elatedscum]

Third of pre-season for James Collins - Mark McGuinness played the full ninety for Cardiff against Forest Green Rovers: https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/pre-season-report-forest-green-rovers-1-2-cardiff-city

Chiedozie Ogbene opened his pre-season account after coming on as a second-half sub against Rochdale. Joshua Kayode played all but the last few minutes for Rotherham:https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2021/july/match-report-for-rochdale-vs-rotherham-united-on-20-jul-21/

Portsmouth played but no sign of Bazunu in the squad - at the other end, Max O'Leary was between the sticks for Bristol City for ninety minutes: https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/bristol-city-3-pompey-3/

Andrew Omobamidele played the full ninety minutes for Norwich against Lincoln, Adam Idah started and was replaced at half-time, josh Giurgi was an unused sub for Norwich against Lincoln: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/july/match-report-norwich-city-v-lincoln-city/

Festy Ebosele played the last half-hour against Man united on Sunday: https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2021/07/derby-county-vs-manchester-united-match-report-pre-season-friendly-18th-july-2021

Given that Kelleher wasn't one of the three keepers used by Liverpool today, we can assume he's injured. Shame as he would have been the number 1 with Alisson on holidays until August 2nd with players due 3 weeks off after their last game (in his case, the Copa America final with Brazil on July 11th)

[seanfhear]

Given that Kelleher wasn't one of the three keepers used by Liverpool today, we can assume he's injured. Shame as he would have been the number 1 with Alisson on holidays until August 2nd with players due 3 weeks off after their last game (in his case, the Copa America final with Brazil on July 11th)
Is Kelleher very injury prone ? He seems to miss a lot of opportunities through injury.

[Exgrad]

Re the Celtic contingent, Connell was actually named in the 23 man squad for the CL qualifiers,

https://www.the42.ie/leigh-griffiths-luca-connell-celtic-midtjylland-5499669-Jul2021/


Wasn't on bench for last nights game so could well have been injured. He does seem to be in the thinking so lets see. O'Connor and Afolabi don't seem to be anyway near the first team, and more than likely are surplus to requirements at this stage. O'Connor had a decent loan to L2 and would probably get another one, and that's where he should be heading to and building from there.

[Olé Olé]

I read a piece this morning stating that the new manger likes his full backs to step into midfield. Given that O'Connor can play right back and midfield, maybe he can become an option? Seems like he has a lot of work to do. A loan is more plausible for both of them.

[samhaydenjr]

Very promising result from the Reading v West Ham game: Conor Coventry scored his second goal of pre-season, Darren Randolph played the first hour, Mipo Odubeko played the last half-hour and Armstrong Oko-Flex played the first half: https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/july/21-july/stylish-hammers-earn-dominant-pre-season-win-reading

Well talk about a good first impression - Coventry played two 60-minute friendlies against MK Dons - Ricardo Dinanga started the first game and scored in the opening minute: https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/reports-sky-blues-vs-mk-dons/

Neglected to check on Brentford yesterday - Alex Gilbert played 30 minutes against Borehamwood: https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2021/july/match-report-for-boreham-wood-vs-brentford-on-20-jul-21/?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

[elatedscum]

Thanks for the updates Sam and Tets and everyone else

[CSAD]

Re the Celtic contingent, Connell was actually named in the 23 man squad for the CL qualifiers,

https://www.the42.ie/leigh-griffiths-luca-connell-celtic-midtjylland-5499669-Jul2021/


Wasn't on bench for last nights game so could well have been injured. He does seem to be in the thinking so lets see. O'Connor and Afolabi don't seem to be anyway near the first team, and more than likely are surplus to requirements at this stage. O'Connor had a decent loan to L2 and would probably get another one, and that's where he should be heading to and building from there.

Hopefully both get out before things get any worse.

[elatedscum]

Is Kelleher very injury prone ? He seems to miss a lot of opportunities through injury.

Back in full training yesterday. Video on LFC TV today of the training with someone comparing him to Tafferell and Milner heard commenting at one point that he's like an octopus and later Van Dijk comparing him to Dida. Think there are about 9 or 10 saves he makes on camera, just training but positive.

Hopefully he starts tomorrow in their next friendly...

[Olé Olé]

At this point, is it fair to say he is a great shot stopper and very good passer and that he can be a top level keeper if he can prove himself at set pieces? Simplistic I know. I'm not very familiar with the art of goalkeeping but those are the three areas that strike me when I watch him i.e. his saves, his kick outs and passes and his hesitance with corners.

[samhaydenjr]

Well at least Parrott got a run-out against Colchester, playing the last 25 minutes: https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2021/july/colchester-v-spurs-pre-season-friendly-match-report/

Meanwhile, Nathan Collins took his bow for Burnley against Salford: https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/clarets-at-the-double-in-pre-season-opener

[tetsujin1979]

Ryan Johansson came off the bench to score the winner for Seville against Las Palmas
Skip to 2:00 below
1CxDjHpwSBk

[Diggs246]

The keeper had no chance!

But I have a feeling he will be a very handy player for the senior team

[samhaydenjr]

Another goal for Adam Idah - he's doing everything he can to show he deserves more minutes this season - it just seems it's down to whether Farke is ready to accommodate him: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/july/match-report-norwich-v-huddersfield/?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

First pre-season action for Caoimhin Kelleher, playing the first half against Mainz: https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/438742-mainz-friendly-match-report-pre-season?utm_source=www.premierleague.com&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link (https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2021/july/match-report-for-cambridge-united-vs-brentford-on-23-jul-21/)


Alex Gilbert is having a good pre-season - another 45 minutes for Brentford against Wessi's Cambridge: https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2021/july/match-report-for-cambridge-united-vs-brentford-on-23-jul-21/

Oisin McEntee joined Newcastle's squad for their game against Doncaster - he was an unused sub but hopefully this is a sign he's ready to move up to senior level - Jeff Hendrick played the full 90: https://www.nufc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2021-22/doncaster-rovers-v-newcastle-united/?tab=report

[Demesne Lad]

Alan Browne, having rested a hip injury during the summer, is making his first appearance of the pre-season, at home to Accrington Stanley. Sean Maguire starts up front for PNE. (Lancs Live, 24 July)

[samhaydenjr]

With the recent talk about Mipo Odubeko's plans for his international career, guess who made the bench today against Celtic, came on for the last ten minutes and scored? Armstrong Oko-Flex - showing The Bhoys what they're missing. Conor Coventry was a second-half sub while Darren Randolph replaced Fabianski at half-time: https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/july/24-july/live-blog-celtic-v-west-ham-united

[passinginterest]

Armstrong Oxo-Flex off the bench for West Ham to crack one in against Celtic. Not sure what it says about Celtic that he hardly got a sniff there and now he’s getting good pre season game time for a premier league club.

Celtic are dreadful. Not sure how O’Connor is not getting a chance, either right back or centre mid, from what I’ve seen he’s definitely no worse than what they’re playing. Connell was on the bench, was only half watching but don’t think he got a run.

Coventry got about half an hour for West Ham too.

[CSAD]

Jason Knight appears to be out for between 8-12 weeks

The start of half our team dropping like flies again prior to the internationals…

[tetsujin1979]

Conor Noss off the bench to score the winner for Borussia Moenchengladbach again today (skip to 3:26 below)
nB91IOw22gI

[samhaydenjr]

We've been talking a lot about our young strikers but there's signs we shouldn't write off our more experienced ones just yet

Shane Long scored Southampton's goal today, with an assist from Michael Obafemi: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2021-07-24/report-southampton-fulham-pre-season-friendly-staplewood-campus?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

James Collins continued to make a compelling case to lead the line this autumn, with his fourth of pre-season, this time against Exeter: https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/pre-season-match-report-cardiff-city-2-2-exeter-city

Elsewhere, Jack Taylor scored for Peterborough against Barnet: https://www.theposh.com/news/2021/july/taylor-on-target-against-former-club-in-friendly-success/

Both Jimmy Dunne and Conor Masterson were second-half subs for QPR in their victory over Man Utd: https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-qpr-v-man-utd-pre-season-friendly-24-july-2021

James Furlong played the second half for Brighton against Rangers. Duffy and Connolly featured in the first half: https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2197472/albion-hold-scottish-champions-in-pre-season-opener?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

After making good progress to date at Crystal Palace, Jake O'Brien made a ridiculous decision against Stevenage, receiving a red card for a professional foul eight minutes into a pre-season friendly, where the primary aim is surely to stay on the field to impress the boss. Hopefully he'll get further chances: https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/news/report-stevenage-v-palace-xi/2021-07-23/?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

[samhaydenjr]

Jeff Hendrick scored Newcastle's goal in their 1-1 draw with Rotherham: https://www.nufc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2021-22/rotherham-united-v-newcastle-united/?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Promising news from Bournemouth - Travers and Kilkenny both played the full ninety against Chelsea, with Travers making a couple of good saves and Kilkenny starting the move for their goal: https://www.afcb.co.uk/news/first-team/cherries-narrowly-beaten-by-chelsea/

[tetsujin1979]

U19 player Ben Greenwood was on the bench for Bournemouth in that game too

[samhaydenjr]

Ryan Johansson replaced Ivan Rakitic for the last half-hour for Sevilla against mighty PSG - good to see him play in such a prestigious friendly: https://sevillafc.es/actualidad/noticias/cronica-amistoso-sevilla-psg-2021

Hopeful signs from Tottenham? Matt Doherty starts and Troy Parrott gets ten minutes at the end against MK DOns:
https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2021/july/dele-marks-homecoming-with-a-goal-in-pre-season-win-at-mk-dons/

Jimmy Dunne played the full game for QPR against Cambridge, Conor Masterson was a second-half sub: https://www.qpr.co.uk/fixtures/first-team/2021/cambridge-united-v-qpr/