Clubs stage pre-season friendlies as managers test trialists

sportsJul 18, 20264774

Clubs across England and beyond staged a spate of pre-season friendlies this week as managers rotated squads and gave trialists and youngsters game time. West Ham visited Southend United at Roots Hall for a pre-season fixture. Portsmouth drew 1-1 with Bristol Rovers in their fourth friendly; Portsmouth’s player ratings praised a teenager who scored and a triallist who set up the goal. Manchester United named a first pre-season squad that included new signing Andrey Santos for their friendly against Wrexham. Celtic were held to a draw by Middlesbrough with new signing Camilo Duran on the scoresheet, while Werder Bremen opened with a 6-2 win in Verden. Other noted results and runouts included Newcastle’s 3-0 win over Darlington with goals from Joe Willock, Sean Neave and William Osula, Argyle’s 3-0 victory at Bath City without soon-to-be Bristol City striker Lorent Tolaj, and Hibernian beating Brøndby 2-1 with new number nine Lowe scoring twice. Several lower‑league and local friendlies produced disciplinary and testing moments, for example Sutton United’s third pre-season friendly featured two red cards and two penalties, underlining the mix of fitness work, player trials and tactical experimentation managers are using ahead of the season.

County Road Bobblers

@cbobblers1878.bsky.social

Just seen we're winning 4-0! I'm absolutely Fewmin, I normally love some Da raging online over a fitness exercise! Best part of pre season 😂

1545d ago

Metal Pidge - The Punk Raider3

Best I’ve seen so far is Dibling’s body language looked poor 😂

Paul Tran2

Don't worry, they'll be queuing up to tell us they've beaten nothing, crap league, wait till they play sone one good, etc...

Mister Agreeable2

fucking flying here lad. 4-0, could have been 10. europe here we come. moyes has truly redefined the pseudo-right back role.

@godwhacker1

Have the words “unsettled”, “want away” and “had his head turned” been used yet?

uppergwladysblu.bsky.social

@uppergwladysblu.bsky.social

A drama-free, fun first pre-season game. Let’s be honest, Dundee were League 2 calibre. Their goalie & defence had a mare. Good to Braiden Graham get some game time. Nice to see Harvey Foster on the scoresheet. Beto, Barry & McNeil all in the right place for their goals. Aznou played well. Onwards.✊🏻

845d ago

Mark Byrnes

@burnmarks.bsky.social

Lots of pre season friendlies coming up in the next couple of weeks will be similar, expect a few 6-6 draws.

544d ago

Chris Lepkowski

@chrislepkowski.bsky.social

There is a special place in hell for people talking about club pre-season friendlies like they're proper football fixtures. Even worse, doing so while there is a World Cup ongoing

545d ago

Andy Kelly

@goonerak.bsky.social

I missed this Arsenal birthday. Well spotted @finnbjerrum.bsky.social Marco played in six pre-season friendlies for Arsenal in 2004.

546d ago

Metal Pidge - The Punk Raider

@punkraider76.bsky.social

4-0 in pre season…We’re gonna win the fucking lot aren’t we! 😂 #EFC

445d ago

The Celtic Way

@thecelticway.bsky.social

Celtic are held to a draw at home to Middlesbrough with new signing Camilo Duran on the scoresheet. This felt every bit as pre-season as you'd expect! Reaction from O'Neill and the Celtic camp to follow. Live updates ➡️ www.celticway.co.uk/news/26...

245d ago

The Peoples Person

@peoplesperson.bsky.social

Club football is back!! Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick names his first pre-season squad of the summer, and fans can finally catch a glimpse of new signing Andrey Santos in action! It is an experienced first-half XI, let us see what they have got for us... #MUFC #WxmAFC

345d ago

Chris Errington

@chriserrington1.bsky.social

REPORT: Argyle started life without soon to be Bristol City striker Lorent Tolaj as their second pre-season game away to Southern League Premier South side Bath City ended in a convincing 3-0 victory for the League One visitors. #pafc

345d ago

Neil Allen

@pn-neil-allen.bsky.social

#Pompey come from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers. Scored by a teenager, teed up by a triallist. My Blues player ratings...

245d ago

SV Werder Bremen EN

@en.werder.de

Daniel Thioune's side kicked off their pre-season preparations with a 6-2 win in Verden today 👊 Read the match report here 👉 svw.de/verden-repor... #werder #fcvsvw

245d ago

United In Focus - Manchester United News

@unitedinfocus.com

Andrey Santos was immediately on the radar of Man Utd fans after the former Chelsea star made his first appearance for the club against Wrexham... #MUFC

245d ago

Lee

@leedeetee.bsky.social

I’ve been to four pre-season friendlies so far this summer, with Tad Albion in the diary for Tuesday and a couple more lined up. A lot to be said for anxiety-free football in the sunshine with a beer.

245d ago

James Hodden

@jameshodden.bsky.social

Pre season friendlies start today? The World Cup isn't even over.

245d ago

Jarvis

@jarvob.bsky.social

My guess would be that the pre-season friendlies are on a different system, so normal service 😮‍💨 would be resumed after that?

245d ago

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Clubs stage pre-season friendlies as managers test trialists

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