Preston 3 United 2 - report/ratings

[Deadbat]

Paul Heckingbottom got one over his former boss, Chris Wilder at Deepdale on Friday night in a remarkable game where United completely threw away the three points. The Blades had looked on course to make it three wins on the bounce after a two-goal head start thanks to Andre Brooks and Callum O’Hare but Lewis Dobbin’s strike on half time gave North End hope and they were able to rally and turn the game around in the second half. Tanganga’s own goal from a free kick saw the game back level instantly and former Blade Daniel Jebbison headed home to give the home side a deserved victory.



United made four changes from the win at Ewood Park. In came Burrows, Campbell and Brooks after their excellent impact from the bench in the week. Also starting for the first time was Jairo Riedwald with the impressive Djbril Soumare rested after starting the last two games. Tom Davies was back in the match day squad. Preston began with two former Blades – Ben Whiteman and Daniel Jebbison and ex Owl Michael Smith began from the bench. North End were looking to bounced back from two straight defeats; whilst the Blades were looking to make it a hat trick of wins inside a week.



The home side started quickly and had a chance after only 20 seconds. Burrows stupidly flattened Jebbison and as the delivery came in, the former United striker glanced wide off his back! In the 2nd minute, Peck’s loose flick saw Preston in on goal but Tanganga made the block. Riedewald then had to block the effort from Dobbin, as Preston’s quick start continued. Storey got caught in a delicate area before McGuiness then had to block the Dobbin shot as it was a completely one-sided affair. However, with the first real attack from the Blades, they of course, went ahead! Campbell took the throw from Tanganga and then came inside and played the ball through to BROOKS who somehow found himself completely unmarked in the centre of the field. Brooks ran through and cooly finished into the corner. It was a chance reminiscent of the one he missed at Wembley at May – that may have sealed promotion – but he made no mistake this time.



This goal was completely against the run of play but another quick break saw Peck and Brooks link up and Campbell had his effort blocked. Preston had dominated the ball but United suddenly looked like scoring every time they attacked. Sure enough on the next foray forward, they doubled their lead. The ball deflected off Ogbene and Preston asked for handball but it was came at him from close range and so any appeal was in vain. Campbell helped it on and O’HARE moved inside and steadied himself before drilling inside Iverson’s near post for another clinical finish. United were in dreamland and after struggling to score away from home, had netted 5 in less than an hour of football.



Campbell then chipped a cross that nearly caught out the Preston keeper before the game settled into a quieter lull after such a fast start from both sides. Offiah was booked for a late tackle on McGuiness before Riedewald evened up matters with a clumsy body check on Armstrong as he turned him on half way. Tanganga’s cross was headed wide by Campbell before Brooks deflected cross caused panic again for a Preston side that seemed at 6’s and 7’s (ask your kids) at the back. Gibson went down stricken and had to come off with a serious looking injury. Lindsey came on and replaced him. His first act was to concede a corner. More poor defending from Preston saw the keepers kick out intercepted and Brooks, Campbell and O’Hare could not contrive to find the finish.



There was 5 minutes of stoppage time after the Gibson injury. Jebbison flicked wide but with the next attack, United failed to keep the ball and DOBBIN came onto it, chopped back deceiving Riedewald and curled an effort beyond Cooper. The keeper should have perhaps done better as he got a hand to it but United’s game management was poor when they should have seen things out at the end of the half.



The second half saw Preston send a free kick into the box and the ball came across, Storey won a free header and the ball was only helped past Cooper into his own net by TANGANGA (OG) who diverted it in with his knee. Suddenly after being 2-0 up, the Blades had conceded goals with the last attack of the first half and the first attack of the second half.



Preston were swarming all over United and Jebbison then fired over after the ball dropped. The home side were winning all the loose balls and coming onto the play as United could not get going and looked almost stuck in quicksand. The game was played almost exclusively in the United third and it was not surprise when North End completed the turnaround. Vukcevic got down the right after McGuiness lost the 50-50 and got down past Tanganga. The cross was superb and JEBBSON met it with the United defence stood motionless. The header was powerful and flashed past Cooper despite him getting a hand to the ball.



The home fans were now bouncing and Armstrong’s low shot was fumbled away by Cooper and Preston now sensed they could really finish the Blades off – who had completely fell apart. On came Barry, Ings and Soumare for Ogbene, Brooks, and Riedewald. Small replaced Vukcevic but his first contribution nearly was a mistake as he failed to clear a Burrows cross but O’Hare was on the stretch and could only poke wide with the goal at his mercy.



Preston could have had another as United dithered again at the back and Small and then Jebbison nearly got in before Whiteman had a shot wide. Preston made a triple change with Smith, Osmajic and Podarson on for Dobbin, Jebbison and Devine whilst Shackleton and Cannon replaced McGuiness and Campbell. The game moved into the final 10 minutes and United finally started to find some momentum after being outplayed since the break. Burrows corner was headed back by Tanganga but Soumare blazed over. At the other end, Preston missed an even better chance. They had men over and as the ball was rolled across, Smith had to score but shot wide of an open goal. It was a huge let off for the Blades. Soumare shot wide just before the start of 5 minutes of stoppage time. Soumare played in Burrows but he took too long to get his shot away before another ball in saw Burrows again well placed but did not react and it rolled of his chest and was blocked before Ings went down trying to convince the referee of contact.



The final opportunity came when O’Hare was tripped but Ings free kick would have looked more suited to a rugby conversion as it sailed miles over the sticks. That was the final chance and United somehow contrived to lose a game they were cruising in. It was a real wake up call to Wilder and his team and showed many of the limitations we had seen much of the season with the opposition’s intensity and superior fitness wearing United down and leading to a disappointing result.

 

[Deadbat]

United – Quite angry after watching that. A game that we completely threw away and showed me why I have little affinity for the majority of this squad. They are a bunch that are hard to get behind and like sadly. The pathetic way we threw a game away as an opponent just pressed on the gas – is something we have seen before – even going back to last season. Granted a lot of players have changed but the same shortcomings remain. The way our players just get overrun and outworked we did see last season (look at the number of goals we conceded 2nd half and late on) and this theme has sadly continued. I thought the body language was appalling at times after the break and even though we had a bit of a go at the end and had 3 or 4 decent chances, the damage was done as we had to chase a game that we had won. We saw many of the shortcomings of the players I had praised in the week (Campbell, Burrows, Cooper, Peck) as they maybe proved the 2nd half at Blackburn was more of an outlier in the body of work this season. The goals we conceded were awful and criticism will rightly be on the defence and indeed keeper but I will say we were put under so much pressure by never winning the ball, not getting on it and keeping it and essentially for long chunks of the game having no midfield and big gaps between each area of the side. We still look a bit of a mess and a mish mash of old players, some talented ones and some that are not good enough. I still have no idea of our style and identity. Although we saw on the break when players are fresh we can get chances on the turnover but when players run out of steam, we have little to offer. I thought we looked a mostly slow and pedestrian side that ran out of ideas going forward but equally got ran thought too much and for a team with three centre backs conceded way too many efforts in our box.



The game started with Preston all over us and for nearly 10 minutes, we could not get out and they had 2 or 3 decent chances. We looked so slow and off it. Then we score two really good goals and come alive and we could have had more as their defence were all over it. I thought that we looked great attacking wise with Campbell, Brooks and O’Hare all looking dangerous and we seemed to have a nice balance and way of attacking. Preston offered little and seemed to be dead and buried but we give the ball away and are too loose and they get one back – so avoidable. You kind of worried that would change things completely and so it proved. From 45-80 mins they completely dominated and was just through getting it forward quicker, getting behind us, and forcing our defenders into errors.



Credit to Preston, they outworked us, fought back superbly, and scored 2 good goals (one lucky one) and Hecky certainly had a far more impactful team talk than Wilder. Our team simply did not come out after the break and although the goal back was a real blow, we still need to start better but we give a stupid free kick away and then a poor own goal (not unlucky when you kick it into your own net). We did have a late push and the ball drops a bit better and O’Hare and Burrows nick a point but Smith has an even easier chance. It was all a bit too little, too late to suddenly having a go from 80-85 minutes in. Why could we not start the second half better but the players just did not come out after the break and Preston swarmed on us and we could not respond. They looked a fitter, younger and hungrier team and showed why they have had a much better start. They showed great courage and belief when they could have just mailed it in after trailing 0-2. We in contrast just seemed to not respond and we did nothing to change the shape or stem the tide. Wilder seemed to just throw men on randomly without a real plan to divert the way the game was going, The 2nd half felt massively like a few steps forward (last few games) to about 5 steps back. It was a real gut kicking to lose that game and the way we lost it especially. There were some positives with the way we attacked at times but sadly the lack of fitness means players we rely on run out of steam at the top of the field and we lack any kind of midfield runners/threats. Our central midfielders goalscoring record must be the worst in the whole football league over the last 2 seasons or since Arblaster got injured -it is 1 goal (Davies) in about a whole season? Peck needs rest and whilst Soumare showed some flashes again – not sure Riedewald is more than a limited anchor who is meant to screen the defence but failed to do that – the first goal he dives in rashly and sadly lacks the mobility to allow us to keep the ball in this area. I worry we simply do not control games in midfield. Our best tactic is Campbell or O’Hare pressing or nicking it and going from there. We create little from our own attacking moves and rely on mistakes from other teams. I am not sure still, how we aim to move up the field and build sustained pressure although first half we saw glimpses at least.



At the back, we have three big and experienced lads but somehow don’t win enough headers/challenges (as the goals we have conceded tonight and Tuesday show). It feels like we still are under pressure too much. Cooper is also not playing very well but has zero competition. I am concerned we will continue to have a lot of close games and will continue to lose more than we win due to us completely falling off in games (Tuesday was an exception to this) and the lack of options up front (Cannon and Ings are not the answer when Campbell is shattered after about 50 minutes) is a concern. I also think we have made some largely poor to awful loan signings (Barry/Ogbene/Bindon/Godfrey would all go back for me). A big step back for me tonight. Perfect opportunity to carry on the run and confidence but a team stepped up their intensity and we did not meet the challenge. The players showed their weak mentality and inability to professionally do a job as Wilder would often say. Despite us signing Mee and Ings – I still see little leadership in the group. I am not convinced Tanganga is a captain type and he needs to be moved centrally as struggled hugely in the wide berth again. It is going to be a real struggle to even get away from the bottom of the table (we may well be back in the bottom three tomorrow) as we simply do not do enough in games in terms of control, keeping the ball and being able to create enough over the course of games. Throw in the fact the same defensive issues we saw earlier in the season – coming back to the fore – we are going to continue to come out the wrong end of close games if the current trends continue.



Ratings:



Cooper 4/10 – May seem harsh but his kicking was really poor again but more importantly I have to question him on the first goal. A weak-ish shot that he needs to save but just palms it in. The second is an own goal but I thought he was slow on this even if it does wrongfoot him but not blaming him on this. The third is a powerful header but another he gets a hand to but goes in. He was saving a number of goals that he is now letting in. If we had a decent option in reserve, you may take him out. Nowhere near the keeper he was last year when he was one of the best in the league. Now he looks very ordinary and no better than most at this level.



Ogbene 4/10 – A struggle most of the night and rightly taken off. I expected him to be quick and direct and get at defenders but this has rarely happened. His touch and passing is often loose and defensively he does not really help Tanganga. He has had a few ok games but another that has largely disappointed me. You can see why Ipswich moved him on.



Burrows 4/10 – Bizarre performance. He was involved a lot and had so much of the ball but some of his decisions/passes/final moments were bewilderingly bad. First half ok as we did not attack down that side much but he was ok although winger got down this side a few times. Second half he looked like he had been drinking Jack Daniels at half time! Completely overpowered on the second goal – has to be stronger even if his man is bigger. He was then all over the place, some awful decisions and touches but still got in good areas and put a few ok crosses in. However, he had a few really good chances and took too long or made a mess of it. Excellent in the week and thought it was fine him coming back in. On that showing, you might even take him out again! The mark may be a touch higher than some give him – just because as bad as he was – at least he got into areas and many of our attacks came through him near the end.



McGuiness 4.5/10 – Seen a fair bit of criticism of him which is harsh as there were worse defenders than him (most of them). First half he was ok and made a few good blocks but after the break the whole defence fell apart. I thought none of them won the first ball or header and he got under the ball a fair bit. A stupid foul for the free kick straight after half time. The third, he loses his challenge (claimed he was fouled but do not think he was) and then sort of limps back – needs to get back quicker as harsh as that sound (he was running fine after) and as the ball comes over him and he and Mee are nowhere to be seen. After this they won a lot of loose stuff and we did not really ever get to grips with the balls into the box.



Tanganga 3/10 – Started ok but then he fell apart as the game went on. He took too many touches at times and then after the break, he scores a really clumsy own goal and then makes a number of mistakes. Gets completely skinned on the third goal and it is too easy when the cross comes in. I do not think the position suits him at all. He then started making lots of mistakes and the ball was bouncing off him or players were running round him. He committed a number of stupid free kicks all throughout the second half.



Mee 4/10 – I think he has been poor in both games this week. Looks heavy legged and his passing has now just become him smashing it forward. He seemed to not read things and on the 3rd goal he has to get across but stands there motionless. He has to sense the danger with McGuiness struggling. After that I thought he took an age to do things and they ran around him a few times as well. I think 3 games in a week was too much for him. Started well first few games but I think he has looked a player that may not be able to play every game – the last few weeks.



Peck 4/10 – Another largely non existent showing where he helped it on or back a few times but nothing in terms of meaningful impact. Did not win many tackles/interceptions, not sure he got around the pitch loads and lots of stupid flicks/giveaways that put us under pressure. He offers nothing attacking wide and then we are not seeing the same energy/snap out of possession. We are not controlling midfield or progressing through this area. I would give him a rest but again the lack of viable replacements is an issue.



Riedewald 4/10 – I saw a number praising him but I was not that impressed. Barely noticed him to be honest. He is functional but rarely moves and is very slow and cannot run with the ball. He is another that just helps it on but won’t play many forward passes and certainly is not going to stretch teams. A clumsy booking and then on the goal goes to ground. After the break we do not see anything of him as they ran missed the midfield out completely and went direct. A short term signing that I am not sure we will see past January.



Brooks 6/10 – Started the game well and was involved and scored a really good goal (calm and composed). He linked a few times and got into some good areas and thought he worked hard. After the break he was not involved at all but only because they were in our half constantly. Thought they were worst players who should have come off before him.



O’Hare 7/10 – Our best player again – he worked really hard and was involved in most of the good things we did. All the good attacks we had, he was the one popping up and scored a superb second goal and had other good pieces of link play. Second half he kept working hard but living off scraps but one who looked like he could make something happen.



Campbell 6/10 – First half he was excellent and got behind, worked hard and looked like the player of last season. They looked really worried about his pace and running in behind but after the break he completely ran out of steam and his legs completely went. We were defending but had no outlet or attacking threat as he could not run. It is a major issue that our only competent striker who may score, cannot play more than 50-55 minutes at any kind of intensity.



Subs -



Soumare 6.5/10 – Did well again. Yes he missed a chance and an error led to the Smith one but he did lots of good things. Got on the ball, ran forward with it, played some decent passes and got in the box. At least offers us a midfield attacking threat in terms of creating/being a threat. Surprised he was dropped – maybe 2 days in 4 games might have been too much but then he plays Mee and others who are much older? He is looking our best midfielder – which says a lot about the rest sadly – not criticism of him but he is very raw.



Ings 3/10 – Did little of note. Ball did not stick. Looked old and slow. He dived pathetically for a penalty and then fired a free kick badly over.



Barry 1.5/10 – Absolutely woeful again. Ran one out. Another he just kicked into the full back and then just came inside time after time. Would not even have him on the bench. Surely Seriki (who Wilder has clearly fell out with) or even Marsh or one of the AI kids would offer more?



Cannon – I thought he did more than Ings – he had a shot wide – hard chance and at least got into some areas at times but again not sure what he offers? Out striking options are so bad that if Jebbison or Smith (PNE) were here they both would start.



Shackleton – Did not even know he was on the pitch. What a pathetic game changing option when chasing the game – sorry to be harsh. A nothing player.







Manager: Wilder 3/10 – Started badly and looked not ready at all. We then score two! We play well after this and seem to be coasting but a bad goal to concede but then after this, we fall apart. You would have hoped he would have told them to start well and not drop deep but we concede a stupid free kick and then an own goal and before you know it, we are behind. I was worried he did not change it (formation as much as personnel) and we just almost waited for the inevitable. After the game he blamed the players (as he always does) and did not take any responsibility at all – he never does and it’s the same thing. Must have irked him that Hecky’s side completely outworked his team – when he always talks about out run, out fight, out play etc – well they did that to us. His subs just seemed a bit desperate and not sure he knows how to change games. We started with the game changers of the week and when they needed to come off – he has worse options to bring on. We are better under him than Selles (not hard) but we are seeing many of the same shortcomings we saw back end of last season (2 wins in 10 to end the season) and now we are mainly losing close games – that we won last season. We have an inferior squad and the recruitment has been terrible (not sure I can think of one good signing – even Tanganga is looking a question mark for a lot of money) but that can be levelled at us for a long time – not just the last summer. We have a lot of absolute dross and many on long contracts that will be hard to shift. The squad is bloated as he said himself but I worry his recent transfer record is not at the level it used to be. We are desperate for 1 or 2 quality central midfielder (cannot rely on Davies and Arblaster coming back) and 2 strikers also.







Preston – Had a really good start under Hecky and until the last few weeks, had been right up there. I thought they would really struggle and looked at their drop off last season and how they only just survived and could not see anything but more of the same. Their recruitment was not great and if you are pinning your hopes on goals coming from Jebbison and Michael Smith – then that is a worry. They have had some great results and upset some of the more fancied sides at this level – particularly at home but I was not sure if they would keep this going as have lost the last couple before tonight. I like Hecky- a decent fella and thought he was given a rough ride with United in the sense that we basically were relegated pretty much before we even started with selling Ndiaye/Berge and the dreadful recruitment trying to find some cheap gems from the continent – which simply did not work. He struggled but anyone would have and after he was sacked – Wilder fared no better really and had as many drubbings as Hecky did.



I always thought he came across well and was a likeable chap. Was he a top-level manager? Probably not – even with the side he had to put out but at the Championship level I think he can get teams set up well and have them organised and tough to bear. The job he did after Slav left, cannot be underestimated. Preston seems like his sort of level where he can punch above his/their weight and surprise a few just by being organised, well coached and doing the basics. It has proved this season as he got them off to a great start and looks like they may be able to do enough to stay away from any trouble again.



Tonight, they started really well but then defended terribly with a bizarre high line and got caught quite a few times – we could have had more. They stayed in the game just about and then score a decent goal. They put us under pressure for the second and after this they were excellent. A lot of percentage stuff but they scored an excellent third and dominated much of the second half. The last 10 mins they rode their luck (we had 4 or 5 really good chances to 1 of theirs) and easily could have been pegged back but a fantastic comeback and deserved the win over the game. Credit to them. They wanted it more than us and came out and really applied themselves and won all the battles. Our players wilted and in the end, a desperate last push was too little, too late.



Opponent Man of the Match – I thought the lad Armstrong played well. Jebbison scored a good header and showed a few decent touches and some bad ones too. Dobbin scored a very good goal but the lad Vukcevic was a real threat and what a cross for the winner.



Opponent Weak link – The back line made mistakes and Gibson got caught a few times and the first goal he is ball watching. Goes off injured so not a good night.



Referee / Officials – Farai Hallam. Did the Ipswich loss – so quite soon after he had already officiated us. Last season he took us for the Plymouth 2-0 win and the Blackburn 1-1 at the end of the season. Fairly young referee who has moved up the pyramid quite quickly. Tonight, he was fine. Nothing hugely controversial really. They appealed for some handballs but all were pushes before. He started booking a few but most of them near the end. No issues with his performance – thought he was quite good.

 

[dc_blade]

I don’t think I agree that Preston were deserved winners. I think we created more and better chances overall. But I do agree that the (long) spell after halftime was a disgrace

We have improved under Wilder, just not everywhere all at once. Some things are a lot better, some things about the same. Nothing is worse.

Overall I was more worried after Oxford, which we won, than I am tonight. But if we continue this habit of letting the opposition have long spells on top then I might change my mind.

 

[Deadbat]

I don’t think I agree that Preston were deserved winners. I think we created more and better chances overall. But I do agree that the (long) spell after halftime was a disgrace

We have improved under Wilder, just not everywhere all at once. Some things are a lot better, some things about the same. Nothing is worse.

Overall I was more worried after Oxford, which we won, than I am tonight. But if we continue this habit of letting the opposition have long spells on top then I might change my mind.

They were better than us first 10
We were better 10-45
They scored just before the break
Second half was all them until last 5

So had about 40 mins of the game to 50 really

I am concerned we simply run out of steam - we must improve the conditioning and fitness

 

[Harry's Game]

So annoyed at that capitulation not even going to bother giving ratings..

The huge turning point was Preston’s 1st goal, Three players to blame, aimless ball from Peck gives up possession, awful error from Burrows as he dives in unnecessarily and lets his man get away and then a weak effort from Cooper, I’d expect most competent keepers to keep that out.

Game changing moment, said at half time I’d now be delighted to get a point but as soon as they equalised from the kick off it was obvious what was going to happen.

Full credit to Preston in the second half they Wanted it more than us and thoroughly deserved the victory, we were out fought and out managed that second half.

I am going to bang on all week about how big our next game is against Derby.. it’s absolutely must win as the 3 fixtures after that are Coventry away (lol !! forget that) resurgent QPR and the Sheffield derby.. gulp…

 

[dc_blade]

They were better than us first 10
We were better 10-45
They scored just before the break
Second half was all them until last 5

So had about 40 mins of the game to 50 really

I am concerned we simply run out of steam - we must improve the conditioning and fitness

But in our spells on top we created more. Their first came from nothing, second an own goal. Jebbo’s goal is a big chance and the one Smith missed. But I can’t see them as deserved winners.

Not that we weren’t awful at times because we were.

 

[Fruitbat]

Fair report Deadbat. This side is a pretty painful watch; only O’Hare and Soumare providing much in the way of forward momentum. And, like you, I’m completely over Wilder’s abdication of responsibility for outcomes. The team is more than the group of players on the pitch, something which Wilder chooses to forget when it suits him. “We” won 92 points, but “they” threw away a two goal lead.
What we have at the moment is a cobbled together squad of misfits, being “led” by someone without the breadth of skills to make something of them. I don’t think we’ll go down, but it’ll be a season to forget.

 

[Houston_Blade]

awful error from Burrows as he dives in unnecessarily and lets his man get away

Do you mean the slide from Riedewald? Burrows was at left back.

 

[Harry's Game]

Do you mean the slide from Riedewald? Burrows was at left back.

No before that it starts the whole process off here

 

[Matlock Blade]

Preston were far better than us. For long spells we couldn't get the ball. Wilder is too stubborn with his subs. When have Barry or Shackleton played well for us?

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

Tanganga had a nightmare. The way he got skinned reminded me of Bindon. If he doesn't score the OG at the start of the 2nd half things might have been different, sadly he did and our heads just went down. The bench is a disgrace really, once the starting XI run out of steam we're screwed. Laughable that many of our fans didn't want to give Rak-Sakyi another go, as he'd walk into this side.

 

[Houston_Blade]

No before that it starts the whole process off here

View attachment 224332

Didn’t even notice at the time due to the crap that came after. Riedewald selling himself like that was stupidity from a supposed experienced player.

 

[wardonia_blade]

Big job to do in JTW.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

No before that it starts the whole process off here

View attachment 224332

Totally agree, that ‘tackle’ by Burrows was absolutely schoolboy level.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I didn't think we were as bad as has been made out.
The mission this season is clearly one of survival and I think we'll be good for it.

The attack is looking a bit better now, but defence is really bad.

I was never a fan of Mark McGuinness and nothing I've seen of him in a United shirt has convinced me otherwise. Ben Mee doesn't have the calming, organising influence I thought he would and Tanganga looks uncomfortable in the wider channels.
It's a mess back there and it's down to poor recruitment (Mepham, Dunne, Darling all went very cheap this season and would have brought something).

Soumaré has to start. He showed a lot of positivity in his time on the field and I think Jairo's made a positive start to his career here.

At wing back, I didn't think Burrows was as bad as many have made out. He took a lot of responsibility for our attacks and, although his end product wasn't always there he didn't hide.
Ogbene did next to nothing and hasn't impressed me much since arriving.

Undoubtedly look a much better side now Wilder's had a bit of time with them, but there is still a lot of work to do.

Frustrations should be directed at the owners for the foreseeable.
This isn't a side that Wilder would have built.

 

[Willglynning]

I don’t think I agree that Preston were deserved winners. I think we created more and better chances overall. But I do agree that the (long) spell after halftime was a disgrace

We have improved under Wilder, just not everywhere all at once. Some things are a lot better, some things about the same. Nothing is worse.

Overall I was more worried after Oxford, which we won, than I am tonight. But if we continue this habit of letting the opposition have long spells on top then I might change my mind.

I didn't think we were as bad as has been made out.
The mission this season is clearly one of survival and I think we'll be good for it.

The attack is looking a bit better now, but defence is really bad.

I was never a fan of Mark McGuinness and nothing I've seen of him in a United shirt has convinced me otherwise. Ben Mee doesn't have the calming, organising influence I thought he would and Tanganga looks uncomfortable in the wider channels.
It's a mess back there and it's down to poor recruitment (Mepham, Dunne, Darling all went very cheap this season and would have brought something).

Soumaré has to start. He showed a lot of positivity in his time on the field and I think Jairo's made a positive start to his career here.

At wing back, I didn't think Burrows was as bad as many have made out. He took a lot of responsibility for our attacks and, although his end product wasn't always there he didn't hide.
Ogbene did next to nothing and hasn't impressed me much since arriving.

Undoubtedly look a much better side now Wilder's had a bit of time with them, but there is still a lot of work to do.

Frustrations should be directed at the owners for the foreseeable.
This isn't a side that Wilder would have built.

The free pass that Wilder gets is ridiculous. Anyone else managing this club would be getting absolute pelters after, yet again, another inept performance.

We just laboured past two of the weakest teams in the division only to immediately come completely undone against a somewhat decent side.

You can blame the owners all you want, and rightly so; but the frequent tactical ineptitude and poor decision-making in terms of game management is not down to them.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

The free pass that Wilder gets is ridiculous. Anyone else managing this club would be getting absolute pelters after, yet again, another inept performance.

We just laboured past two of the weakest teams in the division only to immediately come completely undone against a somewhat decent side.

You can blame the owners all you want, and rightly so; but the frequent tactical ineptitude and poor decision-making in terms of game management is not down to them.

What should he have done differently?

 

[Bergen Blade]

At wing back, I didn't think Burrows was as bad as many have made out. He took a lot of responsibility for our attacks and, although his end product wasn't always there he didn't hide.
Ogbene did next to nothing and hasn't impressed me much since arriving.

Seen elsewhere as well (Deadbat's player order) that there's still confusion regarding our formation. Fotmob, Whoscored, last night's commentator also think we're still playing with a back three.

It should be described as a back four with Tanganga at right back. The formation can be assessed when the team has players behind the ball, but are collectively not applying a high press. In some games this can be difficult. Preston were quite direct and we do try to press high, which moves players out of their basic position. Here's an example though:



Whether you call it a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1 is pretty much the same, just depends where you like to put the wide midfielders (Ogbene and Brooks).

 

[Revolution]

Coming out of Deepdale, a raging Revo Jr said he’d never seen us lose 3-2 after being 2-0 up. It turned out that I hadn’t seen it live either.

Funny game, that for me hinged on one thing. They were all over us for the first 10 minutes, then we score an excellent goal and for me we were on top, or at least level with PNE, for the rest of the half. What screwed us were the two injuries to their players which saw 5 mins added on to the first half. That doesn’t happen and we go in 2-0 up and them deflated - their defence was awful in the first half. As it was, they score a goal which saw good work by Dobbin but was probably preventable. And they come flying out of the blocks after HT, as I predicted.

Tanganga was unlucky with the OG. It happens. Having said that we were not switched on for the free kick (neither was Revo Jr, who was texting at the time).

Re the winner, that goal capped off a very poor 20 minutes, and I didn’t think Jebbison, who still doesn’t look very good, had it in him. Memo to our fans: it’s probably not a good idea to sing “Jebbo, Jebbo what’s the score?” Until about 85 mins in.

After they took the lead I think the team, and Wilder, did not realise the urgency of the situation. We were playing far too much football in our own half. Burrows was the worst offender: time and again he got the ball in good positions on the left and did not try to go round his man once. You’ve got to take risks in that situation. There was no attempt to shoot from deep. Bringing on Cannon is just stupid at this point. Ings is done, sadly, but there is a paucity of resources. Having said that, if I were McCallum with two good games behind me I’d have been pissed off not to get on the field.

O’Hare motm again, and Brooks and Barry (when he came on) both looked better - Barry from a low base - on the correct wings. Soumare had a good cameo but he’s yet another non scoring midfielder.

A disaster on the night but not a disaster for the season. Just shows there’s a lot of work to be done. Coventry will slaughter us on present form but the other 3 games are winnable out of the next 4.

Deepdale is a nice ground - it was half reconstructed last time I went - and Preston is a lot nicer place than I was expecting.

 

[ATL Recs]

So annoyed at that capitulation not even going to bother giving ratings..

The huge turning point was Preston’s 1st goal, Three players to blame, aimless ball from Peck gives up possession, awful error from Burrows as he dives in unnecessarily and lets his man get away and then a weak effort from Cooper, I’d expect most competent keepers to keep that out.

Game changing moment, said at half time I’d now be delighted to get a point but as soon as they equalised from the kick off it was obvious what was going to happen.

Full credit to Preston in the second half they Wanted it more than us and thoroughly deserved the victory, we were out fought and out managed that second half.

I am going to bang on all week about how big our next game is against Derby.. it’s absolutely must win as the 3 fixtures after that are Coventry away (lol !! forget that) resurgent QPR and the Sheffield derby.. gulp…

Cooper cannot be blamed at all it was a great strike and cooper will have seen it late not coopers fault his positioning was correct ( if you watch his positioning from Burrows zombie defending he follows the line of ball movement as he should

 

[ATL Recs]

Coming out of Deepdale, a raging Revo Jr said he’d never seen us lose 3-2 after being 2-0 up. It turned out that I hadn’t seen it live either.

Funny game, that for me hinged on one thing. They were all over us for the first 10 minutes, then we score an excellent goal and for me we were on top, or at least level with PNE, for the rest of the half. What screwed us were the two injuries to their players which saw 5 mins added on to the first half. That doesn’t happen and we go in 2-0 up and them deflated - their defence was awful in the first half. As it was, they score a goal which saw good work by Dobbin but was probably preventable. And they come flying out of the blocks after HT, as I predicted.

Tanganga was unlucky with the OG. It happens. Having said that we were not switched on for the free kick (neither was Revo Jr, who was texting at the time).

Re the winner, that goal capped off a very poor 20 minutes, and I didn’t think Jebbison, who still doesn’t look very good, had it in him. Memo to our fans: it’s probably not a good idea to sing “Jebbo, Jebbo what’s the score?” Until about 85 mins in.

After they took the lead I think the team, and Wilder, did not realise the urgency of the situation. We were playing far too much football in our own half. Burrows was the worst offender: time and again he got the ball in good positions on the left and did not try to go round his man once. You’ve got to take risks in that situation. There was no attempt to shoot from deep. Bringing on Cannon is just stupid at this point. Ings is done, sadly, but there is a paucity of resources. Having said that, if I were McCallum with two good games behind me I’d have been pissed off not to get on the field.

O’Hare motm again, and Brooks and Barry (when he came on) both looked better - Barry from a low base - on the correct wings. Soumare had a good cameo but he’s yet another non scoring midfielder.

A disaster on the night but not a disaster for the season. Just shows there’s a lot of work to be done. Coventry will slaughter us on present form but the other 3 games are winnable out of the next 4.

Deepdale is a nice ground - it was half reconstructed last time I went - and Preston is a lot nicer place than I was expecting.

Also injury to Mee added to the first half added time

 

[coaxingstar71]

Thanks for the report Deadbat

Part of the problem appears to be that we only seem to be able to play well for parts of a game. About 35 minutes last night, 45 minutes at Blackburn. Whether it's down to fitness and conditioning, I don't know. I don't really understand why after being at the club for over 12 months, Campbell still can't manage 90 minutes.

On a positive note, we are creating chances, getting men in the box and scoring goals.

Feels like a huge game next against Derby.

 

[Servigliano]

Cooper cannot be blamed at all it was a great strike and cooper will have seen it late not coopers fault his positioning was correct ( if you watch his positioning from Burrows zombie defending he follows the line of ball movement as he should

He actually got finger, maybe glove, tips to it. Fwiw I wouldn't blame him

 

[Coolblade]

Seen elsewhere as well (Deadbat's player order) that there's still confusion regarding our formation. Fotmob, Whoscored, last night's commentator also think we're still playing with a back three.

It should be described as a back four with Tanganga at right back. The formation can be assessed when the team has players behind the ball, but are collectively not applying a high press. In some games this can be difficult. Preston were quite direct and we do try to press high, which moves players out of their basic position. Here's an example though:


Whether you call it a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1 is pretty much the same, just depends where you like to put the wide midfielders (Ogbene and Brooks).

Whilst Ogbene is quicker to drop back when out of possession - I agree in the last two games we have generally lined up with 4 at the back. I would suggest we should revert to something closer to Wilder mark 1s set up given our squad - especially the lack of a specialist right back

 

[blades_95]

The free pass that Wilder gets is ridiculous. Anyone else managing this club would be getting absolute pelters after, yet again, another inept performance.

We just laboured past two of the weakest teams in the division only to immediately come completely undone against a somewhat decent side.

You can blame the owners all you want, and rightly so; but the frequent tactical ineptitude and poor decision-making in terms of game management is not down to them.

In game management & a lack of plan B has sadly been a feature of Wilder for the past few years.

In the top flight it was often teams figuring us out, now it’s a shocking lack of fitness. But plan B for a while now has just been to throw worse players on (often in wrong positions) and not effect the game in any way.

Some of that is down to this summer’s recruitment sure - but poor non-existent players like Cannon & Shackleton are Wilder signings & still being preferred to One & Seriki.

 

[Bergen Blade]

He actually got finger, maybe glove, tips to it. Fwiw I wouldn't blame him

A brilliant curled finish, but he's able to get the ball on to his best foot, get his balance right, look up and pick his spot:

 

[Servigliano]

A brilliant curled finish, but he's able to get the ball on to his best foot, get his balance right, look up and pick his spot:

View attachment 224337

Proof! The play of final VAR would undoubtedly have disallowed the goal.
There are at least two players obstructing Cooper's view as they desperately try to block
Being serious it was a superb strike.

 

[Willglynning]

What should he have done differently?

Literally anything. The approach to every game is almost identical regardless of opposition or scoreline.

 

[Ecco1889]

The concerning thing for me is we can’t compete for 90 minutes and players like Cooper and Burrows have fallen off a cliff form wise

 

[blade too long]

A brilliant curled finish, but he's able to get the ball on to his best foot, get his balance right, look up and pick his spot:

View attachment 224337

why are there 5 on the player shooting leaving a preston lad on his own