The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

I couldn't disagree more Tony. Tinkering with players our management should know their strengths by now could adversely affect both performance & results. We're within spitting distance of the start of the league campaign let's get a winning mentality going into it.

Three of Diamonds wrote:I couldn't disagree more Tony. Tinkering with players our management should know their strengths by now could adversely affect both performance & results. We're within spitting distance of the start of the league campaign let's get a winning mentality going into it.

If it was "tinkering" I'd agree - but if its to see if player x is suitable cover if player y is unavailable then its valuable information gained - in advance of another season where the champions may not lose more than a couple of games. We did this last season - and started with a bang, and we've already had to play a variety of players at full-back due to injuries / unavailability.

Perhap having tried Séan out at full-back in Widnes last pre-season might just have made the difference when he had to play in that role at Wulfrunians.

I'd agree if we'd brought in a raft of new players but we haven't. Henderson & McBride both played at full back last season and the introduction of Rashid at left back has been stable enough & the only real change in the the line up as he doesn't seem to be a natural fullback. I don't see what we have left to learn as we've kept the majority of players from last season.

Three of Diamonds wrote:Goodness me. Where's everyone's competitive spirit ffs? Don't you want to win this?

Not really, it's an exhibition cup that holds minimal prestige and no prize money. In a year's time I won't be able to tell you who won it. I'd rather we lost but played well, the same as any other friendly. We can then take good performances into the season when winning does matter.

On the subject of taking friendlies seriously, it looks like David Bell and a Wisbech player will be serving suspensions when the season proper starts in their respective leagues following red cards in a "friendly" game - http://www.pinkun.com/king-s-lynn/two_s ... witterfeed

Bob's Bitch wrote:Performances are more important than results in pre-season. Winning isn't important IMO, if we're winning but playing poorly then that won't help us in the regular season.

I see what you're getting at, but I disagree - winning is a state of mind !! PSF count for nowt, but getting players to gel is far better in a winning team !! I want to seen is win every game we play to be honest

Hinckley's Match Preview

http://www.hinckleyafc.org.uk/2014/07/2 ... -diamonds/

A few of us have been collecting pin badges of all the opponents we have played since AFCRD was formed. If you would like to buy a new pin badge of Hinckley AFC, Simon Blyth will be bringing some over this evening and he will be dropping into the club shop before kick off.

Diamonds lead 2 1 at half time.

About to go live on Radio Diamonds for second half. .

Draw! The shield is shared!........oh wait no f*ck it we'll have a shoot out after all. I know it's only pre season but f*ck me make your bloody mind up!