GoalWatch - our defending vs Preston (a)

[Bergen Blade]

1-0: The referee intercepts a Monty pass, Preston hit it long up to Parkin who outmuscles Geary and gives it to Welbeck. He rolls it back to James whose shot is deflected past Bennett.

I think Geary gets too close to an opposition that is too big and strong for him. I understand Bartley was off the pitch at the time, so we were also a man short.

It is key for Preston that they go forward so fast. It means our defenders have to sprint back to protect our goal, our midfielders follow, and even though we have six players back, they're all in our box and there are nobody to pick up the backwards pass.

This shows the effectiveness of a good counter attack. They don't always mean you get a one on one with the gk, this time we even get plenty of men back behind the ball - but our organisation is gone.


2-0: Penalty, rebound, goal. Thought Nosworthy got the ball.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Nosworthy did get the ball and the player fell over it.
Bad decision from an unsighted ref who only saw the player hit it past Nosworthy and then fall over.
Mind you it looked like a stonewall pen in the first half that he missed.

These things even themselves out over a season Brian.

 

[Mousey]

Nosworthy did get the ball and the player fell over it.
Bad decision from an unsighted ref who only saw the player hit it past Nosworthy and then fall over.
Mind you it looked like a stonewall pen in the first half that he missed.

These things even themselves out over a season Brian.

To be fair it was evened out over the game because they should have had a penalty in the first half after a silly tackle from Nosworthy.

 

[Ollessendro]

Thanks Bergen. I think you are going to be in for a busy few weeks. at least until Morgs and Seip are available.

I wouldn't personally balme geary for this goal. He got out muscled but he got up quickly and put pressure on the Preston player. When the ball went into the area there was little dangers as we had 3 players surrounding the black attacker. It then takes a wicked deflection and flies in. Bit unlucky really.

As a general point I think we need to be looking to: a) get tighter to people, b) charge down shots quciker and c) get your whole body in the way. We've conceded several deflected goals this season. This and newcastle stand out. We can keep saying they were unlucky, but when do they stop becoming unlucky?

I disagree with Pitsburgh and Been here, as I think it is a stone wall penalty. This is awful defending by Nosworthy and it cost us. He misjudges the ball and then puts in a poor challenge. The tv footage isn't great, so I'm not 100% on this, but it seems like he just takes a big chunk of the man (rather than the ball).

 

[Bergen Blade]

Thanks Bergen. I think you are going to be in for a busy few weeks. at least until Morgs and Seip are available.

I wouldn't personally balme geary for this goal. He got out muscled but he got up quickly and put pressure on the Preston player. When the ball went into the area there was little dangers as we had 3 players surrounding the black attacker. It then takes a wicked deflection and flies in. Bit unlucky really.

As a general point I think we need to be looking to: a) get tighter to people, b) charge down shots quciker and c) get your whole body in the way. We've conceded several deflected goals this season. This and newcastle stand out. We can keep saying they were unlucky, but when do they stop becoming unlucky?

I disagree with Pitsburgh and Been here, as I think it is a stone wall penalty. This is awful defending by Nosworthy and it cost us. He misjudges the ball and then puts in a poor challenge. The tv footage isn't great, so I'm not 100% on this, but it seems like he just takes a big chunk of the man (rather than the ball).

Regarding Geary, true he is not to blame for the goal, but I definitely think he was wrong to get involved in a battle of strength with Parkin, who is twice his size. If he concentrated on getting goalside of him, he would have bought the rest of the defence a little more time to reorganise.
I agree with you that there's an element of luck involved.

It is very hard to determine for certain if it's a penalty. Nosworthy misjudges the flight of the ball, but doesn't the photo below show that his tigerish tackle sees him get his foot (black sock and shoe) around the ball?

 

[Ollessendro]

I think you might be right Bergen. If you look atr this photo it looks as though Nosworthy extended leg is just about reaching oout and touching the ball. In which case it's an excellent recovering tackle and a harsh penalty.

If you look the referee, although not far away, is not ideally positioned. He has a Preston player in his line of vision and Nosworthy is making the tackling from behind. As Nosworthy makes the tackle the referee can't see whether he touches the ball or not. The ball doesn't really move, so the referee doesn't hesitate in pointing to the spot. Shades of Daren Fletchers tackle in the Champions league semi final against Arsenal last year anyone?

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

For anyone that's interested. Here is a tongue-in-cheek report from a PNE supporting friend. He said we were a better passing side, so figure that one out:

On a cold, crisp February night at Deepale, the Mecca of British football (because of all the people of Muslim persuasion residing nearby?) The mighty Whites of Preston generously welcomed their less fortunate visitors from the near-derelict city of Sheffield. Led out by their proud manager, Darren (thanks Dad) Ferguson the Mighty Whites were given a rousing reception (unlike the Gay Blades whose mentally-challenged followers could only utter gutteral grunts and were unable to applaud due to their straight jakets).
Within 10 minutes the obvious difference in class between these 2 missmatched sides was apparent as Prestons non-stop attacking football was rewarded. A sweetly hit, well placed shot from debutant Matty James (recently promoted from our feeder club, Man Utd) nestled in the back of the net. Throughout the first half it was all one-way traffic, and the svelte athletic John Parkin was unlucky not to deservedly double North End's advantage with a delightful turn and shot which bounced off the crossbar with the hapless Sheffield keeper well beaten.
The second half continued where the first had left off with Sheffield resorting to ever more desperate (and brutal) tactics which evetually led to the inevitable penalty which was dispatched with some aplomb by the aforementioned Mr Parkin. After this the Preston players took some pity on the wretched souls in red and white and even generously allowed them to score in front of their fan (the other one had left by this time, possibly to get the Austin Allegro warmed up prior to their journey back to the communist side of the Pennines).
The referee finally ended Sheffield'$ misery, with the match ending Preston North End United 2, Sheffield United 1 leaving birthday boy Darren Ferguson a happy man who would no doubt later be celebrating with a pint or two of Stella Artois (official beer of wifebeaters worldwide)

OR

A deflected goal and a follow up goal after his (poor) penalty was saved - hardly convincing but probably just about deserved as we showed more attacking intent and (to my surprise following recent match reports) more effort. Sheff were by far the better passing team but had little punch up front and only rarely were a threat. For PNE Lonergan looked very composed and solid. Mawene and SSL looked to be a good partnership. In midfield James looks promising and one-lace and Sedge (!!) both did well on their respective wings. In attack Wellbeck looked very good. We certainly had the luck we needed on Tuesday-hopefully it gets us fired up for the lashers on Sat