Clubs stage pre-season friendlies as managers test trialists

sportsJul 18, 20264562

Clubs across England and beyond staged pre-season friendlies this week as managers rotated squads and handed minutes to trialists and youth players. West Ham played Southend United at Roots Hall, Manchester United named a first pre-season squad that included new signing Andrey Santos and faced Wrexham, and Celtic were held to a draw by Middlesbrough with new signing Camilo Duran on the scoresheet. Portsmouth drew 1-1 with Bristol Rovers in their fourth friendly, where a teenager scored and a triallist provided the assist, and Chris Hogg published reflections after Coventry City’s pre-season game. Lower-league and U21 sides are also active: Newcastle opened with a 3-0 win over Darlington with Joe Willock, Sean Neave and William Osula scoring, Plymouth Argyle beat Bath City 3-0 without soon-to-be-departed Lorent Tolaj, and three U21 friendlies were confirmed against Tamworth, Stratford Town and Shrewsbury. Results varied from heavy wins such as Werder Bremen’s 6-2 victory in Verden to evenly contested draws, while managers used the fixtures to evaluate triallists, blood academy players and fine-tune lineups ahead of the season. Expect more scheduled friendlies and manager reports to follow as clubs finalise squads and assess triallists before competitive fixtures begin.

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 😂

154h 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.✊🏻

74h 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

521h 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.

5Yesterday

Metal Pidge - The Punk Raider

@punkraider76.bsky.social

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

44h 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...

24h 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

34h 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...

24h 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

24h 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

24h ago

James Hodden

@jameshodden.bsky.social

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

29h 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?

29h ago

FrankHerbertIYKYH

@iykyhfrankherbert.bsky.social

I really don't care who we play in pre season friendlies. I suggest that you contact Everton Football Club directly and ask them the same question. Good luck getting any response though ;)

2Yesterday

The Villa Academy

@academyavfc.bsky.social

Three pre-season friendlies have been confirmed for our U21 squad. 🆚 Tamworth, Tuesday 21st July, 7:45pm, The Lamb Ground 🆚 Stratford Town, Tuesday 28th July, 7:30pm, The Arden Garages Stadium 🆚 Shrewsbury Town, Saturday 1st August, 3:00pm, The Croud Meadow.

22d 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

14h ago

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Clubs stage pre-season friendlies as managers test trialists

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