spot on

this...
Couple of years ago, under the Bastian stewardship, we (Fev) ran in 50 in a pre-season friendly against what was largely a bunch of Hull FC kids. The prospects of world domination that were mooted for us in some quarters of Fev's social media haven't quite arrived yet, whilst Hull FC's demise still seems some way off.

Didn't expect to win yesterday. What I am getting at is what possible good did it do the players and the fans by making so many God dam changers in the second half of the game. Nobody knew what was going on. The players looked lost with the constant changing of positions etc. The game as an entertainment was finished as we had no chance of competing doing this. And what the hell could any coach gain by that. Total rubbish for the fans and players alike. What did I expect. Well better than that total disregard for my entrance money.

That's often the problem with friendlys, the numbers should be restricted to 17 and see how they go, pointless making a million changes as there is no continuity or fluidity, as you say, what the hell can a coach learn from that, other than possibly not to do it again. If you are going to have a pre-season friendly then make it worthwhile for the fans and the players, if not I'll keep my money in my pocket until the real stuff starts.

Good news is, we won't see the same Fax team on game 1 in championship. How many first teamers can Fev bring in for that? Certainly don't see a repeat performance coming.

We were missing 5 - Missi, Griffin, Briggs, Ormonroyd & Baldwinson who are likely to start the first game, but as you would expect I think it will be a lot closer game in February.

The thing is, in reality these games aren't friendlies they're training sessions and as such £15 is way over the top to attend. The best festive games were always the Infirmary Cup matches against Huddersfield....that is until the giants condisendingly decided we were only suitable opponents for their under 23's.

Barum Top, Hook Norton Twelve Days 5 5% Mmm!

I reckon 3, I think the 2 big lads might get a game at Leeds early doors although I do not think either of them are anywhere near SL standard and Leeds will have another long season given their signings. I also think in the first game we will get them without any Leeds players as I expect Sharp to give chances to what he has which will be a big leveler. Anyway no pressure on us as its years since we beat them at home.

I didn't go. As it happens, I couldn't, as I had other family commitments. Tbh though, I've pretty given up on these pre-season friendlies anyway. As has been said, a fiver is probably a fair price to charge if we don't treat it as a "proper" game, but with overheads, it really doesn't make sense for the club to do this.

From a fans perspective, friendlies should be fast-flowing affairs with teams trying out moves rather than any sort of "arm-wrestles". Both teams trying to show some real flair, ingenuity and showmanship to whet everyone's appetite for the coming season. Unfortunately, coaches see it more of an "enhanced" training session, and just an opportunity to try a few technical things out, blood some youngsters, or trial a couple of players in subtly different positions.

Where clubs seem to wildly miss the mark, is that a few pre-season games that folk look forward to with anticipation and enjoy attending may just set them up for coming down to watch and support for the rest of the season.

The boxing day game is what it is. Its always going to be this way.
Whether you think parting with 15 quid to support your team and coach's assessment of his squad is value for mony is another argument.
I went to oakwell. Its where i wanted to be and indicative of how i feel about these games. But I'll be at the shay in feb.

We've had far better boxing day fixtures in the past though.

[urlhttp://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/rugby/halifax-rlfc/grix-boxing-day-outing-a-reality-check-for-fax-s-young-players-1-8307478[/url

Well I guess thats Moore and Murrells positions in the first team safe once again. Darren Lockyer would have locked poor behind our pack in that 2nd half.

HXSparky↓
Re: Fax v Fev 26/12/16
Tue Dec 27, 2016 8:29 pm
I didn't go. As it happens, I couldn't, as I had other family commitments. Tbh though, I've pretty given up on these pre-season friendlies anyway. As has been said, a fiver is probably a fair price to charge if we don't treat it as a "proper" game, but with overheads, it really doesn't make sense for the club to do this.

From a fans perspective, friendlies should be fast-flowing affairs with teams trying out moves rather than any sort of "arm-wrestles". Both teams trying to show some real flair, ingenuity and showmanship to whet everyone's appetite for the coming season. Unfortunately, coaches see it more of an "enhanced" training session, and just an opportunity to try a few technical things out, blood some youngsters, or trial a couple of players in subtly different positions

Where clubs seem to wildly miss the mark, is that a few pre-season games that folk look forward to with anticipation and enjoy attending may just set them up for coming down to watch and support for the rest of the season.
Couple of points
You have two teams who despite it been a friendly want to win so it's still going to be competitive
If you don't give squad players time in pre season game when will they have time ? In the games that matter

Then you would properly moan about that

Blimey £15 for a glorified training session, rip off glad I didn't go!!!
Message to club we know you needed the money this time but don't repeat this again next year, stick to January games when it actually means something as players are playing for a place in the team!.

If anyone had been on Club website tickets were available for pre match purchase at half price. I paid £5 for a concession, fair price for a Friendly.

Do not be coming on here with such info! Lately it seems all people want to do is knock anything the club does and be negative. Anybody expecting much more than the team put out, needs to wake up. I am sure Marshall and Grix learned somethings about a few players. Punchard went well, but we have to be careful about pushing youngsters too fast too soon. He also has a lot to learn regarding managing the team and telling older more experienced players what he wants. Connor Robinson went well at Fullback. The youngsters in the second half got a wake up call. Likely only a couple will make it but good that we have the Dual Reg with South Wales as the Reserve System is a joke sadly. Grix was Coach for the day and probably learnt from some of his mistakes and allowed Marshall to take a look from a different viewpoint at a few things. Result means little at this stage. Maybe its our attitude and thinking that needs to be looked at not just the Clubs. I doubt we will finish in the top 5 to be honest. But we have a club and are certainly in a better position than a couple of other clubs in this League!!

I must admit before the game I questioned the logic of playing Conor at full back but I thought he went very well there before he had to move into the halves in the 2nd half. His timing into the line was good and better than we have had from our full backs recently. Plus he has good distribution so would expect him to be able to link up well with the other outside backs.

Looked good at full back. One definite positive.

Now that I've had time to reflect, I've changed my opinion on the game. £15 felt a bit much for what was produced on the pitch. But if they don't have the boxing day friendly next year, I'll have to attend family gatherings that day. And I am happy to pay £15 to dodge those.

Fullback seems to be the one big problem position we have as it seems RM is keen to give anyone and everyone a shot there as he tries to fill the position rather than actually sign a proven full back. Maybe that is down to the style of rugby he wants his full backs to play(one I think just inst possible from the quality of players available at this level) or maybe its just a case of it been a side problem of our halfs not been droppable but rather than give players a chance in their natural positions he needs to find somewhere for them to play.

he's also pretty good under the high ball

The issue of seemingly undroppable players was the cause of a lot of early season problems last year, he needs to look at who the best halves are and then work from there, but if they aren't performing they need to be dropped. The fullback position seems an issue but we had Salty there before he was pushed out to the wing in what looked like an effort to appease the fans calls for Jonno to get a run out. Let's hope we get it right early and see a settled side.

The thing is if he starts with say Moore and murrell and the drops say murrell for Johnson that's going to take time for the partnership to work in the mean time the loyal fax fans get on her calling the coaching staff clueless because they have change the team so they can't win

You miss my point, which was what fans want to see from these games is different to what coaches want to get out of them. It certainly wasn't a moan, and apologies if that's how it comes across. Personally, I don't like friendlies, and generally don't attend as I know I'm very likely to be disappointed. If you enjoyed it, then that's great, but to generate some anticipation for the coming season for the fans (imo) these games need to give a bit more. I wasn't there, but from what I've heard/read, it was competitive for 40 minutes, and then the tinkering started (just by one of the teams on the pitch), which resulted in a wholly one-sided second half.

I've supported Fax home and away for the last 40 years, and if I did want to have a bit of a moan now and again, I think I've probably earned that privilege!



We have a reserve team, and isn't that where the "squad" players should be developing/improving? Those that excel can then be brought into the 1st team when needed (albeit injuries can force a coach's hand sooner than he wants).

Murrell and Moore did not work last season, I can't think why it would be any different this season and to pick players regardless of form is going to get called out at some point.