What are pre-season friendlies for and Thursday’s meeting?

Posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008

Late.               Jimmy and I had a somewhat heated debate in the pub tonight about team selection for pre-season friendlies.  Like the competitor he is he wants to win them all and field our strongest team at all times (well within reason). I on the other hand want all my players as fit and more importantly, match fit as possible before the season starts.

We ended up with an 11 a side game tonight albeit with three guests playing (it was actually 12 a side as Dougie and I sneaked on at either end – he won 1-0) and I want all of them to get a start over the next 5 games.

Against Falkirk U19′s on Thursday where we’ll do a bit of chasing we’re without Burnsie and Fowlie (both in London with their work), Cloudie (who gets a scan that evening), Dave McLeod and Deano (who’ll both train with the Seconds for fitness reasons) and we’re not sure about Seeley. Naomi was going to train with Heriot Watt as he’s behind with his training but I pulled him in when I was reminded Burnsie wouldn’t be there.

The trialests have been told to do their own thing until next Tuesday at least.

This sort of thing happens every pre-season and we want everyone to get their chance to peak at the same time.

Tarzan and Hutch won’t be through on Thursday as they both are going to the EOS meeting where there is a lot to discuss. Who goes where – how many teams in either league – format for the league cup – all the cup draws.

I have it on good authority that the full set of fixtures will not be released until Sunday or Monday at the earliest.