8 put past the Shots In 1974 I saw my first ever football match at the Recreation Ground, I watched Aldershot play Scunthorpe. Clearly I wasn't convinced because I became an Addick but I was interested to see how the Addicks got on tonight at The Rec'. News was that we won 8-0. Jeffers and JJ both got hat-tricks. Euell, Sam, Hughes and Portuguese trialists Goncalo Brandao and Xaviour Carlos Revez all played. My snout didn't mention Sorondo though.

Last night Darren Bent offered a glimpse on what we might see as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 role this coming season. "He's never played up there on his own so I wanted to have a look to see if he could," said Curbs. Do you think as a player Curbs hated playing in central midfield, that he was a closet full back, or striker or left winger? As a manager he certainly likes playing his players in a range of alternate positions to that they are naturally accustomed.

For a thorough review of the game and of the players that played, read New York Addick's post here.

The squad numbers were announced today. Lisbie's dropped to 12, should have been 112. Bent has taken his 10 shirt, HH has been allocated no. 3, Sorondo will be 4, Ambrose 18 and Smertin no. 25.

Goalkeeper's Rob Elliot (27) and Darren Randolph (33) plus young forward James Walker (34) and winger Nathan Ashton (35) receive squad numbers for the first time. It remains to be seen if they will ever need washing.

Finally, news today that Mark Feeesh is down on the South Coast with Brighton but the 'legend' didn't play in their friendly at Oxford tonight after he picked up "a slight knock in training yesterday."

And Steve Bruce has played down his interest in Jason Euell. "He's a player we've been monitoring and we've asked to be kept informed of his situation but that's as far as it has gone."  ¶ 19:50