Some quite attractive games there and more competitive than usual.

Harrogate the only really meaningful one

going to miss billy town, Pre season friendlies mean jack shit.

Ye

In the IOR days didn’t Pools reserves play some games there and Pools paid for a new pitch ?

they are really a glorified training session for the season ahead. as you said harrogate is the big one as i doubt JA will learn much playing against championship kids or lower non league ones either.

Looks like Portugal is of the Menu.

These are no different to most seasons and similar to what most lower league teams do. Sunderland and Boro generally put out half decent sides and we get a decent gate with the away following. Blyth away will stretch them a bit at as it’s a feather in their caps to beat us whilst Redcar will be a runout for our ‘reserves’ and young players. Then of course Harrogate will be a training session in front of a packed away end (only joking)

what i never will understand is why a lot of fans base their expectations on after a good or poor set of pre season results even if their clubs have the main bases of the side intact for them.

If that was true no club would bother playing them Agree that the results are less important than giving the new group of players a decent test - which they don't get chalking up big scores against Northern League sides. Even last year's fiasco of a pre-season included a 6-0 win at Synthonia.

I never judge players on training and friendlies, wait until you see them in competitive games. We do however have to get fitness levels up by playing in these games.