Deadbat
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A strange game at Deepdale where United were behind almost instantly and all at sea at the back but a fortunate goal, followed by a brilliant goal and then a great team goal – saw an incredible Peck hat trick and we turned it completely round. Second half we were in total control and had chances to make it even more comfortable but did not take them and then the changes did not help us – they score a really poor goal from our point of view. It then becomes a tricky final 10 minutes where we make some daft decisions and do not keep the ball. The stats in terms of possession, chances, shots make it out we dominated but not sure it was quite like that? We deserved the win on the balance of the game and most of the football and quality came from us but we still never looked comfortable defensively. Both teams looked awful at the back and it was no surprise there were 5 goals – there could have been even more really. United need to be more clinical and ruthless at both ends. If we had done that, the game would have been an easy win. After the turnaround, we needed to go and finish the game second half and played well for 20 minutes after the break but became sloppy and a bit arrogant. The changes did not help (not that those that went off were great but thought it upset the structure of the side and meant we became too open). After they got one back, I worried we might concede late again – like we did last year, but we saw it out.
There were some plusses in terms of Cooper, Burrows, Donovan and of course Peck. The latter could have scored even more goals but took his three goals superbly (first was a cross definitely). He showed real desire to get in the box, get forward and make things happen. Cooper was calm and composed and thought Donovan a threat but they often doubled up on him.
Too many questions still against individuals such as the two centre backs and the likes of Cannon., Choudhury and Chong (better 2nd half). I do think against any kind of reasonable side, we would have not won tonight. We made changes (most enforced) and ended up with nowhere near our strongest side but thanks to Peck’s brilliance combined with the dreadful opposition, meant we got away with a real messy performance. There were positives and at times we looked a decent side, but then we would stop doing what we were doing well, individuals would make mistakes and there would be gaps in our backline. The goals tonight we conceded were pathetic to be honest. Preston had other opportunities too and they are clearly a really bad side.
The positive is going forward for spells in the second half, we looked good and could have scored quite a few more goals. Sadly, we have poor centre forwards who rarely look like scoring (granted BBD got one last week) and we are not clinical enough or do the final bits. At the end, I was more relieved than pleased. Of course, we won and it is back-to-back wins for the first time this season, is it? This means we move up to 9th in the league and have continued our good form. I think we have played some bad sides and benefitted from this but we still had to beat them and have done that. We have two more games where points should be plundered either side of the international break – and need to go to Charlton, start the game better and go and get another win. Hopefully we might see Phillips and/or Bamford. They are really missed when they do not play. I enjoyed parts of tonight and the goals were great – but there were some really infuriating things too.
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I think the below might get panned for a 3-2 away win but PNE were awful and actually individually, there were more poor performances than good ones I felt?
Cooper 7/10 – No chance with either goal as he was left badly exposed with simple finishes. Rest of his game calm and solid. Took crosses and did what he had to. Not sure he made many saves but the difference between him and Iverson was night and day in terms of decisions and composure.
Choudhury 3.5/10 – First half he was wretched and they got down his side time after time. He was slow to react, gave his man too much space and not reacting. Looked so slow and got turned and beat to the ball. The first goal he is nowhere. This happened again and again. He got better towards the end of the half and carried on the improvements second half. He went off and we struggled after this down this side, as bad as he had been!
Tanganga 4.5/10 – I am sure I might be criticised for some of my marks tonight but we won in spite of some players performances. He was slow to deal with danger and I felt they reacted to balls in the box first half – had chances even at 1-0. The goal nobody reacts to the ball coming in. Had a better spell either side of the half time and came out with the ball a few times too. Then the goal, is McGuiness at fault firstly, but then does not get back at all. He does some frustrating things and I am still not convinced by him at all.
McGuiness 4/10 – Came in for Kitching. The first goal sees nobody deal with things but then he did win a few headers and get some tackles in but is so slow and gets turned very easily. The second half we saw why Wilder does not see a long erm future. The one where he dawdled as the ball came to him and their player nipped in and the goal was pathetic. He got outmuscled last year at Deepdale for a late goal and same again here – just gets beat by a smaller player – this happens quite a bit and he goes down so meekly for a big lad. It was insipid defending to allow the free header and says a lot about his lack of desire/strength. Not sure either centre half that started tonight should be long term starters even though some may disagree on Tanganga.
Burrows 6.5/10 –Best of the backline by some way. He did ok defensively and at least tried to pass the ball, and often forward. Put in a few crosses but nobody attacked but then excellent to set up Donovan on the goal. Few runs and shots second half but got his foot in and made some interceptions defensively too.
Riedewald 5.5/10 – I heard Sky said he was quietly effective but not sure I noticed him much at all? I forgot he was playing for long periods and then when he went off, thought he had departed long before that! Weird that Wilder puts him straight back in after so long being out of favour? He looked understandably off the pace but maybe there were a few neat and tidy moments I just missed? We did get control and kept a lot of the ball whilst he was on the pitch.
Peck 9/10 – Cannot give him 10 (Leon Clarke only got a 9.5) and will say he was really lazy and slow to start the game – the goal he does not get back and then another attack, he is beaten to the ball. However, he scores a cross and then a superb goal where he took his time and picked his moment (I think everyone was asking him to pass) and what a finish! He already maybe has our goal of the season (Blackburn) and has another contender to rival that. The third he gets into the box and is anticipating. Incredible to get a first half hat trick! I cannot recall another United player scoring a first half hat trick (since maybe Deane v Chester – had a few second half hat tricks – Ndlovu v Cardiff was one, but not first half?). Also, I cannot recall another central midfielder to score a hat trick for United in recent times or my lifetime? Second half his confidence was through the roof and he nearly scored another when the keeper saved but then one poor free kick and one that was off target but could easily have got another goal at least. Outside of the goals, he was our best midfielder anyway and always looking for the ball and taking responsibility.
Donovan 7/10 – Flitted in and out but continued to look a threat. He came inside and outside, got a fair few kicks and maybe should have had a penalty? Love the fact he keeps coming back for more though. He looked the main threat early on and had one shot wide and another cross we should have got onto the end of. Few times he lost it, but kept trying things. He set up the goal with a lovely run and cross. Second half had a few other moments but it did not quite come off for him and then taken off, when we tried to see the game out.
Chong 4.5/10 – I think it was close between him and Choudhury who was the worst player in the first half. He was at fault (with others) for the goal as he just completely lost it and fell over looking for a foul. This happened a few times. He is so weak and always comes onto his left foot, making him easy to play against. He was infuriating first half and I wanted him off at the break, despite us winning. To be fair he had a good 10 minutes after the break and nearly scored a wonder goal, made a few other openings with good runs and did improve. As bad as he and Choudhury were, both got better after the break and then when they were taken off, we seemed to lose our shape (which is made, as both were largely frustrating at best and sometimes even worse than that!)
Cannon 3/10 – Another anonymous performance. Weak, slow and does not react or read the game. He just is a complete passenger in most games. With decent strikers, I reckon we score 3 or 4 more goals tonight, against a shocking, static defence and a hapless keeper but he did not have any decent efforts (save a shot at the end) and offers zero physicality, movement and threat. A player that is just on the pitch but in terms of impact on actual games- it is nothing. Not even sure he puts himself about and a lot of his challenges are almost pretend efforts to make it look like he nearly got there.
Brereton Diaz 6/10 – Saying something when he was perhaps the next most effective attacking threat after Donovan (in terms of the forward players) and he was largely ineffective. First half he fails to track back on the goal (and just stands on the edge of the box – not sure it is his man but needs to react) and then looks slow and sluggish as our build up was painfully slow. He missed a good chance, over the bar and at least did get into some good area. Put the ball through for Peck’s second. Second half thought he was much better, clever flick that nearly set up a goal and held it up better and linked play. Still so slow to do things and not sure he ever really threatened the goal particularly but he at least got on the ball more. We were better with him down the middle, than when he went back wide for the final stages.
Subs –
Arblaster 5/10 – Did not notice him that much until he nicked the ball away and got a free kick and one other interception but as much as I did not notice Riedewald, we dropped off after he came on and lost midfield. Thought we had a big gap in there and Peck had to cover him way too much.
Seriki 4/10 – Stared well with a good run and skill that led to a Peck chance. Another decent dribble down the byline when he stopped it going out and crossed the ball in. After this he dropped off and when he went to right back, he struggled. Got beat a few times to the ball and gave away two stupid free kicks – one right on the edge of the box. Not sure any of the subs improved us really.
Ayew 3.5/10 – Not great at all. The ball did not stick and thought he was not even a nuisance factor really. I think Campbell would have been more of an outlet against a poor defence with his running in behind.
McCallum – Not on long but at least gave us another body in defence as they put the balls into the box.
Manager Rating: Wilder 6/10 – Had to do without Bamford, Kitching and now Phillips due to injuries and suspension. All three would start (throw in Seriki and you have 4 starters) so it was definitely not our strongest team and felt a bit patched up with Riedewald thrown in after a while out in the cold. We started horribly which was frustrating after a strong start v Wrexham and the goal is hideous – we are not set up and have no structure, even after the Chong mistake. They have other breaks with one punt and they are in. We had lots of possession but did little with it. Peck’s goal is a lifeline, out of nothing and then he scores two more and a game we had lots of the ball in but created little, we suddenly have full control. Played well after the break and should have scored a few more but the changes weirdly did not help and we lost that control and it became too open. We ended up with Ayew in a nothing sort of role, BBD went wide and Cannon somehow stays on. Arblaster struggled to get into it and Seriki was poor when he went to right back. We concede and then are hanging on. It was a bitty performance, with some good things of course but some poor things too and the structure of the side looked problematic at times. There is no way a team bottom of the league should walk through us after a minute and then they did it again 10 minutes from the end. They had other chances too. Wilder speaks a lot about characters but we have some really weak (physically and attitude wise) and Choudhury, BBD, Cannon and Chong just absolutely ooze with these concerns sadly. Admittedly BBD and Chong better after the break. I think we still are not a side that looks convincing. There were pockets of good football tonight (the 2nd goal when our better players are involved) was excellent but often the build up remains slow and predictable with no penetration and the lack of decent forward options really hurts us. However, we are 9th in the league and have upward momentum – even if the run of opponents has been kind. Important we get another result on Saturday before the break against another struggling side.
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Preston – Dispensed with Hecky’s services after an appalling start and I suppose had to do something? I felt it would have been hard for whoever was in charge. Limited resources, spending power and wages means they often seem to be punching above their weight and even mid table which they seemed to achieve perennially, was fantastic. They had manager like Alex Neil and then Hecky, that seemed to just get the most out of what they had at their disposal. I know he was under pressure towards the end of last season and got sucked into a struggle so he had to start well and did not. Before today they had fewer points than Wednesday at this time last season (taking away the points deductions) and were really stuck in a rut. I think they have lost their better players and simply not replaced them and lost a lot of experience too. Devine was the only real signing bought for decent money. Fans may look at Pompey and Blackburn and say they are doing better – and compare budgets but many more have gone down from this level. Hecky seemed a good man but found it really tough and the football was never that exciting according to their fans, so when the results also were not good enough – they probably had to make the change?
It is hard for them to push on and compete when teams at this level are improving and we have big spenders like Brum and Wrexham coming up. They have had talk of takeovers but it never happened and they are not happy with Ridsdale. We will see what happens but Alexander and Lucketti have a really tough job to keep them on and had made an awful start with no new manager bounce. Their fans were happy with two former PNE legends coming back but it has not worked so far – but the quality in the squad is not there. It is going to be hard for them to stay up – when the promoted teams such as Lincoln, Bolton and Cardiff have all perhaps done better than many thought. I think a long-standing member of this league (PNE, Blackburn etc) may go this year.
They scored early and had lots of men in the box and you think we have given them a real lift but after they conceded, they fell apart and we had the ‘You are not fit to wear the shirt!’ and they were booed off. A largely inexperienced side in terms of players at this level and/or age. I had not heard of quite a few of their starters and you sensed the total lack of confidence when we turned it around. They could have been given a real drubbing if we make it 1-4, as we should have done 2nd half but they stay in the game and have a bit of a go and score another. After this they sensed they might nick something but did not have any clear chances after the second goal and in the end deservedly lost the game. They looked a wretched side (we were not great and still deservedly won) and they made so many basic mistakes in terms of giving the ball way, decisions and then defensive howlers. They looked a side that did not know where their next point is coming from.
Opposition player of the match – Leroy scored a decent goal and then got a funny booking when he smashed the ball way but the sub-Lang (for Kenny) was lively and scored a well taken goal near the end. He at least ran the channels and competed.
Opposition weak link – A number really struggled. The lad Offiah technically looked completely inept, and even the more experienced players like Hughes and Storey struggled. The keeper was absolutely appalling. Iverson should have reacted and gone for the cross on the goal, rather than worrying about the deadly Chong! Then he comes out, gets into no man’s land and just stands there (does not close Peck down, dive at his feet or narrow the angle) and sort of does nothing as Peck scores. The third he bottles diving for it and it goes in too easy. After the break he gave it away a few times with his feet, came rushing out and generally looked like an accident waiting to happen. The defence were poor but he gave them no confidence whatsoever.
Referee – John Busby. Did the Cardiff game this year but cannot recall whether there was anything that controversial? Mixed results last year with a few wins and losses – recall him missing a penalty for us at home v Coventry but he also sent off a Stoke player in our win there just after Xmas. Not much really to shout about – Donovan actually did get took out but maybe goes down a bit easily/theatrically? After this, I thought he kind of let things flow and was not stopping the game for random things like some refs recently. Only one booking which is refreshing but not sure there were many bad tackles. I think he should have clamped down on Cooper’s timewasting (although PNE players kept standing in front of him which is not allowed either) and 3 minutes was very kind on us (I expected double that).
There were some plusses in terms of Cooper, Burrows, Donovan and of course Peck. The latter could have scored even more goals but took his three goals superbly (first was a cross definitely). He showed real desire to get in the box, get forward and make things happen. Cooper was calm and composed and thought Donovan a threat but they often doubled up on him.
Too many questions still against individuals such as the two centre backs and the likes of Cannon., Choudhury and Chong (better 2nd half). I do think against any kind of reasonable side, we would have not won tonight. We made changes (most enforced) and ended up with nowhere near our strongest side but thanks to Peck’s brilliance combined with the dreadful opposition, meant we got away with a real messy performance. There were positives and at times we looked a decent side, but then we would stop doing what we were doing well, individuals would make mistakes and there would be gaps in our backline. The goals tonight we conceded were pathetic to be honest. Preston had other opportunities too and they are clearly a really bad side.
The positive is going forward for spells in the second half, we looked good and could have scored quite a few more goals. Sadly, we have poor centre forwards who rarely look like scoring (granted BBD got one last week) and we are not clinical enough or do the final bits. At the end, I was more relieved than pleased. Of course, we won and it is back-to-back wins for the first time this season, is it? This means we move up to 9th in the league and have continued our good form. I think we have played some bad sides and benefitted from this but we still had to beat them and have done that. We have two more games where points should be plundered either side of the international break – and need to go to Charlton, start the game better and go and get another win. Hopefully we might see Phillips and/or Bamford. They are really missed when they do not play. I enjoyed parts of tonight and the goals were great – but there were some really infuriating things too.
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I think the below might get panned for a 3-2 away win but PNE were awful and actually individually, there were more poor performances than good ones I felt?
Cooper 7/10 – No chance with either goal as he was left badly exposed with simple finishes. Rest of his game calm and solid. Took crosses and did what he had to. Not sure he made many saves but the difference between him and Iverson was night and day in terms of decisions and composure.
Choudhury 3.5/10 – First half he was wretched and they got down his side time after time. He was slow to react, gave his man too much space and not reacting. Looked so slow and got turned and beat to the ball. The first goal he is nowhere. This happened again and again. He got better towards the end of the half and carried on the improvements second half. He went off and we struggled after this down this side, as bad as he had been!
Tanganga 4.5/10 – I am sure I might be criticised for some of my marks tonight but we won in spite of some players performances. He was slow to deal with danger and I felt they reacted to balls in the box first half – had chances even at 1-0. The goal nobody reacts to the ball coming in. Had a better spell either side of the half time and came out with the ball a few times too. Then the goal, is McGuiness at fault firstly, but then does not get back at all. He does some frustrating things and I am still not convinced by him at all.
McGuiness 4/10 – Came in for Kitching. The first goal sees nobody deal with things but then he did win a few headers and get some tackles in but is so slow and gets turned very easily. The second half we saw why Wilder does not see a long erm future. The one where he dawdled as the ball came to him and their player nipped in and the goal was pathetic. He got outmuscled last year at Deepdale for a late goal and same again here – just gets beat by a smaller player – this happens quite a bit and he goes down so meekly for a big lad. It was insipid defending to allow the free header and says a lot about his lack of desire/strength. Not sure either centre half that started tonight should be long term starters even though some may disagree on Tanganga.
Burrows 6.5/10 –Best of the backline by some way. He did ok defensively and at least tried to pass the ball, and often forward. Put in a few crosses but nobody attacked but then excellent to set up Donovan on the goal. Few runs and shots second half but got his foot in and made some interceptions defensively too.
Riedewald 5.5/10 – I heard Sky said he was quietly effective but not sure I noticed him much at all? I forgot he was playing for long periods and then when he went off, thought he had departed long before that! Weird that Wilder puts him straight back in after so long being out of favour? He looked understandably off the pace but maybe there were a few neat and tidy moments I just missed? We did get control and kept a lot of the ball whilst he was on the pitch.
Peck 9/10 – Cannot give him 10 (Leon Clarke only got a 9.5) and will say he was really lazy and slow to start the game – the goal he does not get back and then another attack, he is beaten to the ball. However, he scores a cross and then a superb goal where he took his time and picked his moment (I think everyone was asking him to pass) and what a finish! He already maybe has our goal of the season (Blackburn) and has another contender to rival that. The third he gets into the box and is anticipating. Incredible to get a first half hat trick! I cannot recall another United player scoring a first half hat trick (since maybe Deane v Chester – had a few second half hat tricks – Ndlovu v Cardiff was one, but not first half?). Also, I cannot recall another central midfielder to score a hat trick for United in recent times or my lifetime? Second half his confidence was through the roof and he nearly scored another when the keeper saved but then one poor free kick and one that was off target but could easily have got another goal at least. Outside of the goals, he was our best midfielder anyway and always looking for the ball and taking responsibility.
Donovan 7/10 – Flitted in and out but continued to look a threat. He came inside and outside, got a fair few kicks and maybe should have had a penalty? Love the fact he keeps coming back for more though. He looked the main threat early on and had one shot wide and another cross we should have got onto the end of. Few times he lost it, but kept trying things. He set up the goal with a lovely run and cross. Second half had a few other moments but it did not quite come off for him and then taken off, when we tried to see the game out.
Chong 4.5/10 – I think it was close between him and Choudhury who was the worst player in the first half. He was at fault (with others) for the goal as he just completely lost it and fell over looking for a foul. This happened a few times. He is so weak and always comes onto his left foot, making him easy to play against. He was infuriating first half and I wanted him off at the break, despite us winning. To be fair he had a good 10 minutes after the break and nearly scored a wonder goal, made a few other openings with good runs and did improve. As bad as he and Choudhury were, both got better after the break and then when they were taken off, we seemed to lose our shape (which is made, as both were largely frustrating at best and sometimes even worse than that!)
Cannon 3/10 – Another anonymous performance. Weak, slow and does not react or read the game. He just is a complete passenger in most games. With decent strikers, I reckon we score 3 or 4 more goals tonight, against a shocking, static defence and a hapless keeper but he did not have any decent efforts (save a shot at the end) and offers zero physicality, movement and threat. A player that is just on the pitch but in terms of impact on actual games- it is nothing. Not even sure he puts himself about and a lot of his challenges are almost pretend efforts to make it look like he nearly got there.
Brereton Diaz 6/10 – Saying something when he was perhaps the next most effective attacking threat after Donovan (in terms of the forward players) and he was largely ineffective. First half he fails to track back on the goal (and just stands on the edge of the box – not sure it is his man but needs to react) and then looks slow and sluggish as our build up was painfully slow. He missed a good chance, over the bar and at least did get into some good area. Put the ball through for Peck’s second. Second half thought he was much better, clever flick that nearly set up a goal and held it up better and linked play. Still so slow to do things and not sure he ever really threatened the goal particularly but he at least got on the ball more. We were better with him down the middle, than when he went back wide for the final stages.
Subs –
Arblaster 5/10 – Did not notice him that much until he nicked the ball away and got a free kick and one other interception but as much as I did not notice Riedewald, we dropped off after he came on and lost midfield. Thought we had a big gap in there and Peck had to cover him way too much.
Seriki 4/10 – Stared well with a good run and skill that led to a Peck chance. Another decent dribble down the byline when he stopped it going out and crossed the ball in. After this he dropped off and when he went to right back, he struggled. Got beat a few times to the ball and gave away two stupid free kicks – one right on the edge of the box. Not sure any of the subs improved us really.
Ayew 3.5/10 – Not great at all. The ball did not stick and thought he was not even a nuisance factor really. I think Campbell would have been more of an outlet against a poor defence with his running in behind.
McCallum – Not on long but at least gave us another body in defence as they put the balls into the box.
Manager Rating: Wilder 6/10 – Had to do without Bamford, Kitching and now Phillips due to injuries and suspension. All three would start (throw in Seriki and you have 4 starters) so it was definitely not our strongest team and felt a bit patched up with Riedewald thrown in after a while out in the cold. We started horribly which was frustrating after a strong start v Wrexham and the goal is hideous – we are not set up and have no structure, even after the Chong mistake. They have other breaks with one punt and they are in. We had lots of possession but did little with it. Peck’s goal is a lifeline, out of nothing and then he scores two more and a game we had lots of the ball in but created little, we suddenly have full control. Played well after the break and should have scored a few more but the changes weirdly did not help and we lost that control and it became too open. We ended up with Ayew in a nothing sort of role, BBD went wide and Cannon somehow stays on. Arblaster struggled to get into it and Seriki was poor when he went to right back. We concede and then are hanging on. It was a bitty performance, with some good things of course but some poor things too and the structure of the side looked problematic at times. There is no way a team bottom of the league should walk through us after a minute and then they did it again 10 minutes from the end. They had other chances too. Wilder speaks a lot about characters but we have some really weak (physically and attitude wise) and Choudhury, BBD, Cannon and Chong just absolutely ooze with these concerns sadly. Admittedly BBD and Chong better after the break. I think we still are not a side that looks convincing. There were pockets of good football tonight (the 2nd goal when our better players are involved) was excellent but often the build up remains slow and predictable with no penetration and the lack of decent forward options really hurts us. However, we are 9th in the league and have upward momentum – even if the run of opponents has been kind. Important we get another result on Saturday before the break against another struggling side.
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Preston – Dispensed with Hecky’s services after an appalling start and I suppose had to do something? I felt it would have been hard for whoever was in charge. Limited resources, spending power and wages means they often seem to be punching above their weight and even mid table which they seemed to achieve perennially, was fantastic. They had manager like Alex Neil and then Hecky, that seemed to just get the most out of what they had at their disposal. I know he was under pressure towards the end of last season and got sucked into a struggle so he had to start well and did not. Before today they had fewer points than Wednesday at this time last season (taking away the points deductions) and were really stuck in a rut. I think they have lost their better players and simply not replaced them and lost a lot of experience too. Devine was the only real signing bought for decent money. Fans may look at Pompey and Blackburn and say they are doing better – and compare budgets but many more have gone down from this level. Hecky seemed a good man but found it really tough and the football was never that exciting according to their fans, so when the results also were not good enough – they probably had to make the change?
It is hard for them to push on and compete when teams at this level are improving and we have big spenders like Brum and Wrexham coming up. They have had talk of takeovers but it never happened and they are not happy with Ridsdale. We will see what happens but Alexander and Lucketti have a really tough job to keep them on and had made an awful start with no new manager bounce. Their fans were happy with two former PNE legends coming back but it has not worked so far – but the quality in the squad is not there. It is going to be hard for them to stay up – when the promoted teams such as Lincoln, Bolton and Cardiff have all perhaps done better than many thought. I think a long-standing member of this league (PNE, Blackburn etc) may go this year.
They scored early and had lots of men in the box and you think we have given them a real lift but after they conceded, they fell apart and we had the ‘You are not fit to wear the shirt!’ and they were booed off. A largely inexperienced side in terms of players at this level and/or age. I had not heard of quite a few of their starters and you sensed the total lack of confidence when we turned it around. They could have been given a real drubbing if we make it 1-4, as we should have done 2nd half but they stay in the game and have a bit of a go and score another. After this they sensed they might nick something but did not have any clear chances after the second goal and in the end deservedly lost the game. They looked a wretched side (we were not great and still deservedly won) and they made so many basic mistakes in terms of giving the ball way, decisions and then defensive howlers. They looked a side that did not know where their next point is coming from.
Opposition player of the match – Leroy scored a decent goal and then got a funny booking when he smashed the ball way but the sub-Lang (for Kenny) was lively and scored a well taken goal near the end. He at least ran the channels and competed.
Opposition weak link – A number really struggled. The lad Offiah technically looked completely inept, and even the more experienced players like Hughes and Storey struggled. The keeper was absolutely appalling. Iverson should have reacted and gone for the cross on the goal, rather than worrying about the deadly Chong! Then he comes out, gets into no man’s land and just stands there (does not close Peck down, dive at his feet or narrow the angle) and sort of does nothing as Peck scores. The third he bottles diving for it and it goes in too easy. After the break he gave it away a few times with his feet, came rushing out and generally looked like an accident waiting to happen. The defence were poor but he gave them no confidence whatsoever.
Referee – John Busby. Did the Cardiff game this year but cannot recall whether there was anything that controversial? Mixed results last year with a few wins and losses – recall him missing a penalty for us at home v Coventry but he also sent off a Stoke player in our win there just after Xmas. Not much really to shout about – Donovan actually did get took out but maybe goes down a bit easily/theatrically? After this, I thought he kind of let things flow and was not stopping the game for random things like some refs recently. Only one booking which is refreshing but not sure there were many bad tackles. I think he should have clamped down on Cooper’s timewasting (although PNE players kept standing in front of him which is not allowed either) and 3 minutes was very kind on us (I expected double that).
