Seattle - not great, Chopra scored early, the pitch didn't help (great stadium - it had to be, the SEAHAWKS play there) but the "fieldturf" was too bouncy for football. Parry was the star in the first half (more on him later), Thompson commits too many fouls, the new boys (McNaughton,Chopra, McPhail,Johnson all look like decent additions).
China U20 (not under20, YOU 20, like U boats) were just not up to the test. Chopra stood out with his 2 goals, but for me the high point was the performance of Ferreti - why he only got 53 minutes is a mystery. He held up play well, linked with Chopra, has a better first touch than Thompson, and doesn't give away 10 free kicks. Definite bonus, just a shame DJ has his favourites, and Andrea is not one of them.
Tonight's game was, quite frankly, dire. Neither side created much, the Whitecaps probably just about shaded it, at least it will calm down some of the (over)enthusiasm back home!
Pluses - Chopra and a couple of million quid for Jerome looks like smart business, but he is only as good as Jerome, not miles better. He's a cut-price Craig Bellamy, will probably score as many as CJ , but only if given the service.
McPhail - good player, but a little one-paced. My worry is he tends to switch off - not sure we could find room for him and Koumas in midfield, purely because neither of them can be arsed to tackle back.
McNaughton - good signing! Looks solid at right back, which now gives us 3 options there (no,I am not counting Mr Weston) - McNaughton, Ardley (still the best crosser of a ball at the club) and Gilbert. On the subject of Kerrea Gilbert, I feel particularly qualified -as an Arsenal season ticket holder( I know, I missed the first game in their new stadium for this ) as well as Cardiff City Ambassador/shareholder - to comment on his signing, as some on here have been getting a bit carried away - the reason Arsenal fans are so excited about Gilbert is not that he is the best right back in years, it is that he is an Islington boy, makes a change for them to bring on one of their own. My gut feeling tells me McNaughton will be at right back at Barnsley.
And then there is Roger Johnson - Chopra gets all the press, but for me this is our best buy of the summer so far. Big,tall, strong, reads the game well. Looks like Keith Pontin (remember him, another Pontyclun boy, bit like me), "tattoo man" looks the part already.But does he fit in DJs plans - you figure he will probably go with Purse (as Captain) and Loovens - at least we will have quality back-up, he is certainly better than Cox, and will do a good job during Purse's suspensions!
Kamara looks to have a bit of pace about him, but we didn't really see enough of him, Mckoy or Easter to pass comment.
I presume Cooper wasn't fit for tonight, as he didn't get changed, otherwise he would no doubt have figured - still think DJs one weakness may be his loyalty to certain players.
Of the others, can see why there may be plans to move Alexander on (he still doesn't command his box) - can't judge Howard on the China game as he had so little to do.
Ledley did nothing wrong, and while he is clearly a better footballer than Barker (in the truest sense of the word), I am yet to be convinced he is the better left back.
Scimeca did little wrong, likewise Whitley. Ardley looks great for an hour, but struggled more than most in the heat, Thompson scored a wonder goal on Friday, but we all know he shot from 25 yards because he knew he couldn't take on the defender and beat him, and then there's Paul Parry......a star for the first 45 minutes in Seattle, he flitted in and out of the rest of the action. He proved , on more than one occasion, that his right foot is only for standing on (2 or 3 woeful right foot "shots" I can think off, including a sitter on Friday), but the man gave me his shirt after the game tonight, so in my eyes he is a star.
Special mention for messrs Burton and Margetson, who made sure the players made the effort to thank those of us who travelled so far. DJ has been so laid back he has barely been above horizontal - not going to criticise that, it IS pre-season after all. Time for a night cap, then another day enjoying what Vanouver has to offer before catching the overnight flight back to Heathrow tomorrow. Hope they save me a Barnsley ticket. Apparently the family want to come to China next summer - result! Bluebirds!