Pre Season 2023

[PeterWithe]

Ta. Impressive.

[eamonn]

Sanson seemed to have his mobile phone on him when on the gym bike. Not a great look. Looked sharp in the bit of training footage though.

Maybe he was listening to your new album Eamonn.

I've been championing his cause since he arrived, about time he reciprocated!

[Footy-Vill]

Gerrard sees the pre season tour to Australia as a chance for players to bond.
SG says about the players coming closer and stronger off the pitch as a group.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

No pre-season game at home seems a shame and a missed opportunity to me. It gives new players/young players a chance to experience VP on match day ahead of competitive fixtures starting, so they can hit the ground running. Also reduced "friendly" admission gives supporters who can't afford pl pricings a chance to see their favourites.
It seems the trend is to play these games away from home under the guise of some meaningless mini-tournament probably as a way of determining interest, so a decision can then be made (later on down the line) as to whether competitive pl fixtures should also be played in some far flung destination.

[Dogtanian]

No pre-season game at home seems a shame and a missed opportunity to me. It gives new players/young players a chance to experience VP on match day ahead of competitive fixtures starting, so they can hit the ground running. Also reduced "friendly" admission gives supporters who can't afford pl pricings a chance to see their favourites.
It seems the trend is to play these games away from home under the guise of some meaningless mini-tournament probably as a way of determining interest, so a decision can then be made (later on down the line) as to whether competitive pl fixtures should also be played in some far flung destination.

Well, the Australians will be paying Villa, Leeds, and Man U a big fee for appearing there. Some of these games can bring in several million. Walsall away is to benefit a local club who doesn't have the revenue streams we do and who support our women's team also.

[Brazilian Villain]

At least some of the squad flew to Oz yesterday based on photos of them at the airport. Would be interested in hearing the arrangements e.g. who they flew with, did they all fly together etc.

[Duncan Shaw]

No pre-season game at home seems a shame and a missed opportunity to me. It gives new players/young players a chance to experience VP on match day ahead of competitive fixtures starting, so they can hit the ground running. Also reduced "friendly" admission gives supporters who can't afford pl pricings a chance to see their favourites.
It seems the trend is to play these games away from home under the guise of some meaningless mini-tournament probably as a way of determining interest, so a decision can then be made (later on down the line) as to whether competitive pl fixtures should also be played in some far flung destination.

Well, the Australians will be paying Villa, Leeds, and Man U a big fee for appearing there. Some of these games can bring in several million. Walsall away is to benefit a local club who doesn't have the revenue streams we do and who support our women's team also.

Plus I think the Commonwealth Games has affected the scheduling this summer too.

[OCD]

Yes, they would have clashed and then you have things like policing to consider. Transport links under greater pressure too. Probably just as well not having one this year. It's just unfortunate that Covid cost us the home friendly before last season. Whether we have one next year will depend on the rebuild project too.

[Ger Regan]

I see Elmo is pictured amongst the group. Seems to be back in an ambassadorial role.

[Pete3206]

#Announce Elmo

[eamonn]

Please don't.

Has the squad-list for Oz been announced?

[dave.woodhall]

No pre-season game at home seems a shame and a missed opportunity to me. It gives new players/young players a chance to experience VP on match day ahead of competitive fixtures starting, so they can hit the ground running. Also reduced "friendly" admission gives supporters who can't afford pl pricings a chance to see their favourites.
It seems the trend is to play these games away from home under the guise of some meaningless mini-tournament probably as a way of determining interest, so a decision can then be made (later on down the line) as to whether competitive pl fixtures should also be played in some far flung destination.

Well, the Australians will be paying Villa, Leeds, and Man U a big fee for appearing there. Some of these games can bring in several million. Walsall away is to benefit a local club who doesn't have the revenue streams we do and who support our women's team also.

Plus I think the Commonwealth Games has affected the scheduling this summer too.

We couldn't play a home friendly because of them.

[Flin5tone]

I wonder how much it's costing the club to jet a squad plus staff in business class over to Australia?

I doubt even the zone 6 price increase would cover it.

[Dogtanian]

I wonder how much it's costing the club to jet a squad plus staff in business class over to Australia?

I doubt even the zone 6 price increase would cover it.

They wouldn't be doing it if it was costing them more than they're being paid to play out there.

[Axl Rose]

I wonder how much it's costing the club to jet a squad plus staff in business class over to Australia?

I doubt even the zone 6 price increase would cover it.

We're owned by two billionaires.

The cost is absolutely a drop in the ocean to them.