I'm fairly sure RM wasn't in charge for this game. So he might have mainly learned what Grix can do with the youngsters and we likely won't see any benefit from that this season (or at least not masses of benefit).

I'm not a huge fan of letting so many younger players run out to get a beating like that. I guess it's a learning experience for them, but I think it needed to be at least a little more cushioned. And I don't feel like that was the best £15 I've ever spent, but I've definitely wasted money on worse.

spot on

this...
Couple of years ago, under the Bastian stewardship, we (Fev) ran in 50 in a pre-season friendly against what was largely a bunch of Hull FC kids. The prospects of world domination that were mooted for us in some quarters of Fev's social media haven't quite arrived yet, whilst Hull FC's demise still seems some way off.

Didn't expect to win yesterday. What I am getting at is what possible good did it do the players and the fans by making so many God dam changers in the second half of the game. Nobody knew what was going on. The players looked lost with the constant changing of positions etc. The game as an entertainment was finished as we had no chance of competing doing this. And what the hell could any coach gain by that. Total rubbish for the fans and players alike. What did I expect. Well better than that total disregard for my entrance money.

That's often the problem with friendlys, the numbers should be restricted to 17 and see how they go, pointless making a million changes as there is no continuity or fluidity, as you say, what the hell can a coach learn from that, other than possibly not to do it again. If you are going to have a pre-season friendly then make it worthwhile for the fans and the players, if not I'll keep my money in my pocket until the real stuff starts.

Good news is, we won't see the same Fax team on game 1 in championship. How many first teamers can Fev bring in for that? Certainly don't see a repeat performance coming.

We were missing 5 - Missi, Griffin, Briggs, Ormonroyd & Baldwinson who are likely to start the first game, but as you would expect I think it will be a lot closer game in February.

The thing is, in reality these games aren't friendlies they're training sessions and as such £15 is way over the top to attend. The best festive games were always the Infirmary Cup matches against Huddersfield....that is until the giants condisendingly decided we were only suitable opponents for their under 23's.

Barum Top, Hook Norton Twelve Days 5 5% Mmm!

I reckon 3, I think the 2 big lads might get a game at Leeds early doors although I do not think either of them are anywhere near SL standard and Leeds will have another long season given their signings. I also think in the first game we will get them without any Leeds players as I expect Sharp to give chances to what he has which will be a big leveler. Anyway no pressure on us as its years since we beat them at home.

I didn't go. As it happens, I couldn't, as I had other family commitments. Tbh though, I've pretty given up on these pre-season friendlies anyway. As has been said, a fiver is probably a fair price to charge if we don't treat it as a "proper" game, but with overheads, it really doesn't make sense for the club to do this.

From a fans perspective, friendlies should be fast-flowing affairs with teams trying out moves rather than any sort of "arm-wrestles". Both teams trying to show some real flair, ingenuity and showmanship to whet everyone's appetite for the coming season. Unfortunately, coaches see it more of an "enhanced" training session, and just an opportunity to try a few technical things out, blood some youngsters, or trial a couple of players in subtly different positions.

Where clubs seem to wildly miss the mark, is that a few pre-season games that folk look forward to with anticipation and enjoy attending may just set them up for coming down to watch and support for the rest of the season.

The boxing day game is what it is. Its always going to be this way.
Whether you think parting with 15 quid to support your team and coach's assessment of his squad is value for mony is another argument.
I went to oakwell. Its where i wanted to be and indicative of how i feel about these games. But I'll be at the shay in feb.

We've had far better boxing day fixtures in the past though.