United 2 Preston 3 - report/ratings (real one!)

[Deadbat]

Sorry Bell4 - here now - better late than never, although maybe not after yesterday!


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United’s final home game of the season saw another Bramall Lane defeat – their second in the week to Lancastrian opposition. The Blades have now remarkably lost 22 games this season and the season is finishing , as it started, in extremely disappointing fashion.



The latest loss at least saw United show a semblance of fight but another diabolical first half performance saw them two goals down at the break. A Liam Lindsay headed double, from corners, put the Blades in trouble but Gus Hamer's penalty gave the home side hope. However, more poor defending saw Lewis Dobbin seal the victory, despite Patrick Bamford’s late close range finish.



United made changes from the week, starting with the midfield pairing that finished the defeat to Blackburn – Peck and Arblaster. Hjelde started at left back. Preston managed by the returning Paul Heckingbottom, started another former Blade, Daniel Jebbison.



Preston settled the better of the two sides, in a game played in bathing sunshine. They took the lead on 5 minutes after winning an early corner. The ball was played over and as players were grappling and blocked off, LINDSAY met it around the penalty spot to divert his header home.



O’Hare fire over before Thompson was cautioned for a poor late challenge on Arblaster, who needed treatment. Preston were looking dangerous every time they attacked with Dobbin and Jebbison running the channels and the Blades defence often at full stretch. The second goal came on 20 minutes but was from another corner, this time from the other side. United’s zonal marking was rendered ineffectual again, as LINDSAY met the ball at the near post to flick past the exposed Davies.



The crowd frustration was clear with audible boos for the second time within a week. United’s build up was slow and frustrating but one decent move saw Peck curl wide. Vukcevic was booked for a cynical foul on O’Hare but Hamer’s free kick hit the wall. The half time whistle saw further voices of displeasure emanating around the terraces.



Burrows replaced Hjelde at the break and United at least were able to force Preston back. Chong's finish was poor after good set up work from Hamer, with a clever chipped pass. At the other end, Preston should have put the game to bed though. Jebbison was played through and beat the high line. He checked back and unselfish squared to Dobbin, but Davies somehow got back to make a fantastic point blank save. Ings came on for Chong whilst Potts and Brady replaced Small and Valentin.



Seriki had been the main threat, with a series of slalom type runs and it was from this source, United got back on it. After getting into the box, Vukcevic clumsily bundled him over and Kitchen pointed to the spot. HAMER took it and repeated his success from the Hull game, sending Iverson the wrong way.



The crowd sensed a comeback but within 6 minutes, this hope was extinguished. It was another high line and DOBBIN was in from half way after only one pass, that dissected the defence. The striker calmly rounded Davies and slotted home.



Rothwell replaced Arblaster with 10 minutes to play. United did manage to find a second goal with three minutes to play. O’ Hare got down the right and sent over a ln excellent cross and Bamford turned home from close range. Gibson replaced Vukcevic for the visitors as they looked to hold on.





There was 6 minutes additional time added on. Hoever and Cannon came on for Seriki and O’Hare and former Owl Smith replaced Jebbison. United had a late chance but Hoever could not keep his header down and it was another home loss. United had began the season with three straight home defeats and ended it with two more reversals.



United – It was another largely pathetic performance. Better than the midweek defeat but that was not hard. It was boring, flat and the team looked to ne as if they were not that interested. Again. Worryingly it was not far from our strongest team and many will here for next season you sense. Individually and collectively we were miles off being good enough. Sure, we had a few chances and fought back but why not start the game properly and professionally. Wilder called the team out but got no response only a few days later. This shows his words are not having an impact and maybe his previously lauded motivational skills, are on the wane.



We failed to do the basics and our passing, control and movement was extremely poor. Even a late draw wouldn’t have changed how I felt. It has been two thoroughly depressing performances.



At least Blackburn had something to play for. Preston did not and were even below us before the start of play. Wilder talked about moments again and it not being about shape/tactics but I can’t agree. Our poor set up where we had no control of midfield and the defence had a big gap in front of it. They played balls in behind for runners and we just got stretched. The corners came from these moments. The marking was zonal but we failed to deal with one of their main threats, twice. To score a header direct from a corner twice, is inexcusable defending. Tanganga and McGuiness simply do not have the desire or physical skill to just deal with basic stuff.



The midfield were awful. I am sure Chong will get a lot of derision but Arblaster and Peck were even worse. Neither broke play up, won tackles and imposed themselves. Their touch and passing was loose.



We improved again after the break but the fact we have to wait before we respond, says a lot about the gutless nature of our team. We got a goal and Seriki was excellent second half being the main outlet. There was still 15 minutes to go but we ended up with a ridiculously risky high Ine and one pass and they were in. We don’t have players who make such passes or runs, as we are obsessed with recycling possession and going wide. Overloads are useless when you don’t/can’t cross and you have no physical players to meet any rare cross that actually comes in.



That was it despite the late Bamford goal. Wilder talked about our chances but they were not any sitters (Chong could have done better maybe?) and there is so much fundamentally wrong that the work he needs to do will take more than a few weeks in the summer. I do not buy it all being down to Selles despite this still being used widely amongst fans. Sure, the change did not work, but the end of last season saw a big drop off and the way we were nicking games was never sustainable. Key issues (central defence) and creativity and steel in the side – have not been addressed with several poor signings under both managers. However, despite clear issues with the squad, I continue to be concerned at the total lack of a game plan, poor coaching, no changes in game and no real plan how to progress up the pitch. It is predictable slow possession football that goes nowhere and that combined with us being physically weak and slow all over the field, means we are susceptible to conceding in many different ways. In the week a team broke and scored. Today we saw set plays and then another goal on the break.



I sadly do not feel that optimistic about next season and our short-term future. I hope Wilder can so what he did 2 seasons ago but with no Souza, Anel and other perhaps leaving, you struggle to see how signing a few cheap steady eddy Rothwell types like an Ayling/Dunne/Choudhury really moving the needle.



That is not just being negative for negatives sake. The trajectory over the last two seasons is downwards and with less money to invest/players moving on – we need to pull some real rabbits out of the hat in recruitment. The talk of older/experienced players worries me. We do need some streetwise players who are not soft but we also need pace, athleticism. Wilder talked about us being too young but the average age is similar to all the top teams – so that is not right.



However, going away from the issues over coaching and game plan. There is so much fundamentally wrong - 22 losses and 10 at home. These players are not good enough but you cannot change them all and you need to find a clearer plan in terms of how we are coached. I am not sure getting rid of Wilder changes much in that sense – as we have a poor scouting team and nothing behind the manager in terms of proper football people at board level/making the big decisions. IT all feels a bit depressing and flat. We need some big decisions and some signings that might galvanise us all over the summer and we need to start the season and be absolutely ready and firing from day one. A few good early season results and then suddenly it feels different of course so my current feeling can change I hope.

 

[Deadbat]

Ratings :





Davies 6/10 – Let in three but had little chance with any of them. First two headers the defenders need to deal with. Third is a one on one – maybe goes down a bit easy but can’t blame him. Makes a great save at 1-2. He has not been the problem really and as much as we criticised Cooper, the goals have continued to fly into our net – so I feel sorry for whoever our goalkeeper has been. Davies has been better than I thought he would be though.





Seriki 7/10 – First half quiet and we did not get forward much really but 2nd half he was excellent and our main outlet, running at men, driving forward and most good things came from him. Won the penalty too.





Hjelde 3/10 – Struggled with the pace of the game and at times he just switched off. Very slow. They attacked down his side a fair bit towards the Kop. Was taken off at half time. He was a left field signing and has shown nothing to suggest that he will go on and have a career any higher than the lower divisions to me.





McGuiness 4.5/10 – He has been ok for a spell and maybe suggested he could be a serviceable rotation player but the last two games have been a struggle. Teams are winning headers in our box which is supposed to be his strength. Got ran past a few times too. The line for the third goal was hideous. Not sure who was meant to be marking Lindsay – but that sums up the problems with how we set up at corners so you cannot say it was him, Tanganga or Bamford – or who was at fault due to the zonal set up?





Tanganga 3/10 – He needs the season to end. We have no other options here (well we did – we had Mee but he is moving on but odd he did not use him but will other players leaving?) and so he has been flogged too but that is not much of an excuse. He looks a liability now which is a surprise after we chased him for so long and invested so much in him. Another whose football brain is lacking and he switches off. He also is not able to impose himself and we continue to be soft and easy to score against. If we could find a taker, I’d move him on. As it stands, we need two new centre backs.





Arblaster 3/10 – Thought it was a real struggle again and he just lacks confidence in what he is doing. The inability to get around (still looks leggy and his running seems a real struggle) is a major problem. I know that he is not quick but he used to be a box-to-box midfielder but never see him really doing that? When he has the ball, he has been taking too many touches and/or has been sloppy at control and passing. That maybe is down to confidence but it is 7 months since he has been back and not sure we have seen any real improvements at all? Talk of a big pre season is all well and good but if you cannot get around the pitch that is a worry. Clearly an intelligent footballer who I think we need to give every chance to get back but we cannot carry players. The Peck and Arblaster combo does not work – it is too weak and small.





Peck 5/10 –First half he was as poor as Arblaster with touches going awry, overplayed passes and not getting back to stop them breaking. One shot wide which at least saw him in a good position. Improved hugely after the break and got on the ball, became more determined and started to impose himself. We looked better with Rothwell alongside him, in the closing stages.





Hamer 6.5/10 – Outside of Seriki, our next big threat as he had some crosses, clever balls and always tried to play forward. Some poor moments and at times the game seemed to pass him by again but when he has the ball, he looks likely to make something happen. For all the criticism of him (he has had a drop off this season despite the assists) we will miss him hugely if he leaves.





Chong 3/10 – Poor with his lack of acceleration, football intelligence and desire all on show. Not sure he was the worst player in the first half- as bad as he was – the two centre backs and two central midfielders (and even Bamford) were even worse! He at least did not hide but when he got it, I never thought much would happen. He seems to just run into trouble. He cannot go past his man and then his decisions are poor. Had a good chance 2nd half but was taken off. Looks a dreadful player/signing but we are now stuck with him. Best option is to get him on loan next season and hope he does well and someone takes him off our hands.





O’Hare 5.5/10 – Better than in the week. At least had more involvement. Few runs and drew some fouls. He set up the second with a great cross. Does need to get in games more though.





Bamford 4.5/10 – He scored a well taken goal – and has 3 in 3 games – but his last two home performances, he has been off it. He has had little support and we have not got players round him at all. Physically lost the battles and not able to hold it up for others to get involved.





Subs –





Burrows 6/10 – Much better than Hjelde, who was taken off but at this stage we were attacking more so could use his strengths. Got down the left and put a few balls in and made some clever runs but final ball could have been better. He at least gave us that outlet.





Ings 4/10 – Not sure he really got in the game. A few touches and bits of link up but lacks pace to get behind and not someone you pump high balls up to either? Another who will depart after next week.





Rothwell – We improved when he came on as he moved it quicker and at least got about the pitch – albeit we were chasing the game.





Hoever – Not on for long but had two chances! One was a decent one but he could not get over it enough and was stretching.





Cannon – Only on the pitch for a few minutes – pointless really but he is a pointless player sadly so even he had played longer, not sure it would have mattered.





Manager:



Wilder 3/10 – He oversaw shocking display in the week and then we come out and serve us more dross for the most part today. To be 0-3 down at home and then 0-2 down to two quite poor sides (we are as bad of course!) is unacceptable. It has been so flat and the tempo has been staggeringly slow. We continue to ship soft goals but we see nothing to change things – we just make the same type of subs and never adapt shape or tactics. He has to take some responsibility for this but says it is not about how we set up? That is infuriating and worrying that he does not see issues in this regard. I am not sure it is all down to personnel but of course better players help massively in you winning games but you still need a plan. Our main tactic is to get it to Hamer or Seriki and hope they can find a pass or run. There is not much else to really hang our hat on? Odd that he is taking some loan players out as they won’t be our players but then played others – he even put Tom Davies and Ogbene on the bench? Why? Surely, we would be better with a few young players on there?





He made the bold claim that we will not where we are next season and says he is 100% certain on this. Hope I am wrong and he is right and we can completely change things around but it is so much to do in terms of personnel, fitness, mentality and coaching in a small window (timewise). I think it will take a lot longer but not sure whether long term he has the mojo he once had and the game seems to have moved on and not sure he has? I think even the biggest Wilder fans will know that if we start next season with performances anything close to what we are seeing now, he will be under some pressure but I do not see the board moving on from him anytime soon. We just have to hope he and his team find something from somewhere to galvanise things.







Preston – A team that seems to be absolutely stuck at this level and seemingly cannot ever move out of this division – up or down! They had a good start this season and thought they might be able to do a Hull or a Millwall – who have both surprised against the odds – but it has petered out and they had a dreadful run. They still might have overachieved in terms of budget and the personnel but some fans expectations were raised by the start. I scan down their squad and see it is as nowhere near a top 6 side and one that might even flirt with relegation. I thought they would struggle this season but the good start helped them stave off any such worries. Heckingbottom has been criticised by a fair section of the PNE fans who feel he is negative and does not have a plan B. Some have even asked for a change after he was being praised earlier in the season. Not sure, without investment, they are going to get much better? They have a thin squad and lack of quality. Hecky and McCall are steady enough but not sure they are much better than mid table Champ. He did great to get us up and turn us around after the Slav disaster but he did inherit a fantastic squad – but still had to get us promoted and did this.



Former Blade Jebbison had not even nailed down a spot although Ben Whiteman remains one of their key men – but did not play today. They are full of very average players though – Smith and Valentin from Wednesday embody this – not just saying this as former Wednesday. They have a few quick athletic players like Small and Dobbin (not PNE’s though) but a lot of journeyman types too. They are very up and down – much like us.





Today, they showed more desire and this was shown on the corners. After this, we did not trouble them too much – bit of a spell either side of half time and got one back but they just went and scored another. They deserved to win. They looked more dangerous, even more fewer attacks and I felt passed the ball better and were more dynamic. They were not great – but did not need to be. They had two mobile forwards who ran across the line and midfielders that did the basics better than ours. They played it forward quicker and got behind us. We took about 30 passes to get to where they got in 2 or 3.



Opponent Man of the Match – Lindsay. Scored two goals and also was commanding at the back. Thought Dobbin was good too, getting behind. Jebbison had not really even held down a place here but he did show his pace and running can give teams an outlet. Wonder where his career trajectory will go but seems Osula and him are going in different directions to me.



Opponent Weak link – Vukcevic was booked and also gave away a penalty. He struggled hugely with Seriki second half.



Referee / Officials – Andrew Kitchen. Was the ref in the 5-3 at Wrexham this season. Last season, he did the derby win at Hillsborough and the 1-0 win over Watford. Also, the 3-0 defeat to Hull. So mixed in terms of how we fared. In this game, he was ok. Not sure there was much that was controversial. The bookings were right and the penalty looked a trip, even if you argue a little soft maybe? We did not get a single player booked. That sums up how we stood off most of the game.





Crowd/Day Out – Crowds this week that have been announced have been much higher than actually who was in the ground – as they count the season ticket holders of course. More there today but a number did not bother – we met some mates for a few beers outside the Crucible and they decided to stay there! I know a lot more who did not go too. I do wonder if season ticket sales will dip a fair bit next season? In terms of today, the crowd tried to rally and get behind them but it was mostly rather flat. There were more vocal boos at the goals and half time but by the end, most had gone. I had left so not sure how many stayed to applaud the players but surely cannot have been many? I think people are just not bothered rather than the anger we saw in the Adkins season. Granted that was a division lower but this season has been one of our worst outside the top flight in our history – in terms of United sides that did not go down - with so many defeats.



The best part of the day was pre match and post-match beers. After the game went down Abbeydale Road and went to play darts/pool at the Abbeydale Social Club. Met up with Bladespod Ben, Roy (View from), Travelling, Webding (my other half in the Tufty Club) and a few others. We had a big darts tournament (10 of us) and somehow, I managed to win my three ties hitting my doubles and win it – beating Webding in the final. None of us were great though! Hoping there will be a view from Roy on the events of the evening. Drank too much but felt like we all needed that after another depressing game and result. I won’t be at Derby but will try and catch it and bring you a final report before sending my end of season review in the days after that.

 

[N20 Blade]

Opted out to watch the york city game at home. Good move.

Sounds like your darts game was more excting than the Blades too Deadbat

Like you i fear the worst next season and finding three teams worse than us. Very depressing.

 

[Putney Blade]

How the manager handles Campbell & Cannon will tell me everything about the manager’s thinking / approach. Two terrible footballers. If we keep, not serious about change, if we sell, sends a positive message for the new season.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Not sure Seriki was as brilliant as described. I absolutely cannot stand how time after time, they insist on left to right ponderous, treacle slow passes, no one with the guts to shoot. Seriki the one player who was willing to move it forward and so he is our one player capable of taking a man on. Absolutely shocking. Every attack ends the same.

 

[demolitionman]

As "the" corners were about to be taken, a bloke shot out of the dugout, past Wilder and Knill, waving his arms about and shouting instructions to the defenders, who is he? Wilder and Knill seemed to defer to him, are they all as clueless as each other?

 

[sitwell]

Agree with all that and the marks ,although I thought Rothwell was worth one, he changed us for the better and was possibly our best player on the day.
I cant give Davies 6 though, he is hopeless, and give the defence nightmares, Ive never seen a goalkeeper so scared to leave his line from corners. While-ever he and Tanganga are playing we will concede loads.

 

[sitwell]

As "the" corners were about to be taken, a bloke shot out of the dugout, past Wilder and Knill, waving his arms about and shouting instructions to the defenders, who is he? Wilder and Knill seemed to defer to him, are they all as clueless as each other?

Was he shouting 'head the fucker because that twat in Orange wont come for it'.

 

[10p]

Watching Coventry vs Wrexham today was a world away from the slow side to side and back again boring crap united produce. Has moving forward been trained out of our players?

 

[Deadbat]

Agree with all that and the marks ,although I thought Rothwell was worth one, he changed us for the better and was possibly our best player on the day.
I cant give Davies 6 though, he is hopeless, and give the defence nightmares, Ive never seen a goalkeeper so scared to leave his line from corners. While-ever he and Tanganga are playing we will concede loads.

I don't rate Davies particularly but he has been largely OK since he came back in. Not sure he can be blamed at all for the 3 goals yesterday.

I get what you are saying about not coming off his line from corners but there is a trend rightly or wrongly for keepers to stay now with so many bodies/tussling.

How many times do you see keepers these days at any level come and get corners or even punch it? It is rare. The defence know he is not a dominant keeper from crosses and also have to deal with basic crosses better. McGuiness for a big centre half surely should be the man roaming to attack the ball if we are playing zonal which I don't like as players then escape blame if goals go in.

We conceded loads with Cooper in goal. The issues are a lot deeper than the keeper this year for me. They have been badly exposed. The third goal was a ridiculous high line when there were still 15 mins to go. I can only assume they were told to push up?

 

[54yrblade]

While immensely grateful for what he did from 2016 onwards, I'm of the opinion that whatever it was that took place leading up to his leaving the first time round has done more to create the negative Chris that we see now, than anything. He never had anything like a plan B, once the wingbacks trick was seen and worked out by other managers. He now gets 'schooled' regularly and his cliches and lines from the past 'It'll 100% be better next season' are easy fall backs, when we all know that he isn't the manager he was and the club has limped to seasons end under him, Knilly and the off field team. He simply isn't the same manager any longer.
Sadly, the board have took the path of least resistance in taking him back, in essence giving the fans what they screamed for to get them out of the disastrous Selles sized problem they created and to get some credit back in the bank.
They might be silent, but they really knew how to play the fan base.

I've seen this play out before, someone desperate to do well but simply hasn't got what it takes.

I live in diminishing hope for next season but absolutely zero expectation any longer.

 

[BazWainwright]

Good write up Deaders. I was watching bits of the game and bits of my grandson's game (he was staying over) on the firestick and we just looked completely done after 20. Its really clear that since the dizzy days of Souttar and Anel when nothing coming into our box reached an opposition head, we are so fragile with high balls in now that many oppositions target this by nature because it's guaranteed that our centre backs won't challenge. Not sure if anyone remembers playing in games where as a CB you had one eye on the ball, one eye out for incoming attackers and timed your jump, 'balancing elbows' and whip of your neck accordingly and went for it with the aim to win it and steer the ball away but Tanganga, McGuinness and Binden seem to have forgotten whose job it is to 'be first' to the ball in from wide. They are so wooden and beatable. Zonal marking is all well and good, but most attackers (from set pieces anyway) group on the penalty spot and 'burst' into areas usually within zones in between defenders. The zonal defenders - like ours these days - are just static. We also have no 'dynamic defender' like McBurnie used to do who used to attack the cross directly, not burdened with zones and marking.

 

[cahill]

Ratings :





Davies 6/10 – Let in three but had little chance with any of them. First two headers the defenders need to deal with. Third is a one on one – maybe goes down a bit easy but can’t blame him. Makes a great save at 1-2. He has not been the problem really and as much as we criticised Cooper, the goals have continued to fly into our net – so I feel sorry for whoever our goalkeeper has been. Davies has been better than I thought he would be though.





Seriki 7/10 – First half quiet and we did not get forward much really but 2nd half he was excellent and our main outlet, running at men, driving forward and most good things came from him. Won the penalty too.





Hjelde 3/10 – Struggled with the pace of the game and at times he just switched off. Very slow. They attacked down his side a fair bit towards the Kop. Was taken off at half time. He was a left field signing and has shown nothing to suggest that he will go on and have a career any higher than the lower divisions to me.





McGuiness 4.5/10 – He has been ok for a spell and maybe suggested he could be a serviceable rotation player but the last two games have been a struggle. Teams are winning headers in our box which is supposed to be his strength. Got ran past a few times too. The line for the third goal was hideous. Not sure who was meant to be marking Lindsay – but that sums up the problems with how we set up at corners so you cannot say it was him, Tanganga or Bamford – or who was at fault due to the zonal set up?





Tanganga 3/10 – He needs the season to end. We have no other options here (well we did – we had Mee but he is moving on but odd he did not use him but will other players leaving?) and so he has been flogged too but that is not much of an excuse. He looks a liability now which is a surprise after we chased him for so long and invested so much in him. Another whose football brain is lacking and he switches off. He also is not able to impose himself and we continue to be soft and easy to score against. If we could find a taker, I’d move him on. As it stands, we need two new centre backs.





Arblaster 3/10 – Thought it was a real struggle again and he just lacks confidence in what he is doing. The inability to get around (still looks leggy and his running seems a real struggle) is a major problem. I know that he is not quick but he used to be a box-to-box midfielder but never see him really doing that? When he has the ball, he has been taking too many touches and/or has been sloppy at control and passing. That maybe is down to confidence but it is 7 months since he has been back and not sure we have seen any real improvements at all? Talk of a big pre season is all well and good but if you cannot get around the pitch that is a worry. Clearly an intelligent footballer who I think we need to give every chance to get back but we cannot carry players. The Peck and Arblaster combo does not work – it is too weak and small.





Peck 5/10 –First half he was as poor as Arblaster with touches going awry, overplayed passes and not getting back to stop them breaking. One shot wide which at least saw him in a good position. Improved hugely after the break and got on the ball, became more determined and started to impose himself. We looked better with Rothwell alongside him, in the closing stages.





Hamer 6.5/10 – Outside of Seriki, our next big threat as he had some crosses, clever balls and always tried to play forward. Some poor moments and at times the game seemed to pass him by again but when he has the ball, he looks likely to make something happen. For all the criticism of him (he has had a drop off this season despite the assists) we will miss him hugely if he leaves.





Chong 3/10 – Poor with his lack of acceleration, football intelligence and desire all on show. Not sure he was the worst player in the first half- as bad as he was – the two centre backs and two central midfielders (and even Bamford) were even worse! He at least did not hide but when he got it, I never thought much would happen. He seems to just run into trouble. He cannot go past his man and then his decisions are poor. Had a good chance 2nd half but was taken off. Looks a dreadful player/signing but we are now stuck with him. Best option is to get him on loan next season and hope he does well and someone takes him off our hands.





O’Hare 5.5/10 – Better than in the week. At least had more involvement. Few runs and drew some fouls. He set up the second with a great cross. Does need to get in games more though.





Bamford 4.5/10 – He scored a well taken goal – and has 3 in 3 games – but his last two home performances, he has been off it. He has had little support and we have not got players round him at all. Physically lost the battles and not able to hold it up for others to get involved.





Subs –





Burrows 6/10 – Much better than Hjelde, who was taken off but at this stage we were attacking more so could use his strengths. Got down the left and put a few balls in and made some clever runs but final ball could have been better. He at least gave us that outlet.





Ings 4/10 – Not sure he really got in the game. A few touches and bits of link up but lacks pace to get behind and not someone you pump high balls up to either? Another who will depart after next week.





Rothwell – We improved when he came on as he moved it quicker and at least got about the pitch – albeit we were chasing the game.





Hoever – Not on for long but had two chances! One was a decent one but he could not get over it enough and was stretching.





Cannon – Only on the pitch for a few minutes – pointless really but he is a pointless player sadly so even he had played longer, not sure it would have mattered.





Manager:



Wilder 3/10 – He oversaw shocking display in the week and then we come out and serve us more dross for the most part today. To be 0-3 down at home and then 0-2 down to two quite poor sides (we are as bad of course!) is unacceptable. It has been so flat and the tempo has been staggeringly slow. We continue to ship soft goals but we see nothing to change things – we just make the same type of subs and never adapt shape or tactics. He has to take some responsibility for this but says it is not about how we set up? That is infuriating and worrying that he does not see issues in this regard. I am not sure it is all down to personnel but of course better players help massively in you winning games but you still need a plan. Our main tactic is to get it to Hamer or Seriki and hope they can find a pass or run. There is not much else to really hang our hat on? Odd that he is taking some loan players out as they won’t be our players but then played others – he even put Tom Davies and Ogbene on the bench? Why? Surely, we would be better with a few young players on there?





He made the bold claim that we will not where we are next season and says he is 100% certain on this. Hope I am wrong and he is right and we can completely change things around but it is so much to do in terms of personnel, fitness, mentality and coaching in a small window (timewise). I think it will take a lot longer but not sure whether long term he has the mojo he once had and the game seems to have moved on and not sure he has? I think even the biggest Wilder fans will know that if we start next season with performances anything close to what we are seeing now, he will be under some pressure but I do not see the board moving on from him anytime soon. We just have to hope he and his team find something from somewhere to galvanise things.







Preston – A team that seems to be absolutely stuck at this level and seemingly cannot ever move out of this division – up or down! They had a good start this season and thought they might be able to do a Hull or a Millwall – who have both surprised against the odds – but it has petered out and they had a dreadful run. They still might have overachieved in terms of budget and the personnel but some fans expectations were raised by the start. I scan down their squad and see it is as nowhere near a top 6 side and one that might even flirt with relegation. I thought they would struggle this season but the good start helped them stave off any such worries. Heckingbottom has been criticised by a fair section of the PNE fans who feel he is negative and does not have a plan B. Some have even asked for a change after he was being praised earlier in the season. Not sure, without investment, they are going to get much better? They have a thin squad and lack of quality. Hecky and McCall are steady enough but not sure they are much better than mid table Champ. He did great to get us up and turn us around after the Slav disaster but he did inherit a fantastic squad – but still had to get us promoted and did this.



Former Blade Jebbison had not even nailed down a spot although Ben Whiteman remains one of their key men – but did not play today. They are full of very average players though – Smith and Valentin from Wednesday embody this – not just saying this as former Wednesday. They have a few quick athletic players like Small and Dobbin (not PNE’s though) but a lot of journeyman types too. They are very up and down – much like us.





Today, they showed more desire and this was shown on the corners. After this, we did not trouble them too much – bit of a spell either side of half time and got one back but they just went and scored another. They deserved to win. They looked more dangerous, even more fewer attacks and I felt passed the ball better and were more dynamic. They were not great – but did not need to be. They had two mobile forwards who ran across the line and midfielders that did the basics better than ours. They played it forward quicker and got behind us. We took about 30 passes to get to where they got in 2 or 3.



Opponent Man of the Match – Lindsay. Scored two goals and also was commanding at the back. Thought Dobbin was good too, getting behind. Jebbison had not really even held down a place here but he did show his pace and running can give teams an outlet. Wonder where his career trajectory will go but seems Osula and him are going in different directions to me.



Opponent Weak link – Vukcevic was booked and also gave away a penalty. He struggled hugely with Seriki second half.



Referee / Officials – Andrew Kitchen. Was the ref in the 5-3 at Wrexham this season. Last season, he did the derby win at Hillsborough and the 1-0 win over Watford. Also, the 3-0 defeat to Hull. So mixed in terms of how we fared. In this game, he was ok. Not sure there was much that was controversial. The bookings were right and the penalty looked a trip, even if you argue a little soft maybe? We did not get a single player booked. That sums up how we stood off most of the game.





Crowd/Day Out – Crowds this week that have been announced have been much higher than actually who was in the ground – as they count the season ticket holders of course. More there today but a number did not bother – we met some mates for a few beers outside the Crucible and they decided to stay there! I know a lot more who did not go too. I do wonder if season ticket sales will dip a fair bit next season? In terms of today, the crowd tried to rally and get behind them but it was mostly rather flat. There were more vocal boos at the goals and half time but by the end, most had gone. I had left so not sure how many stayed to applaud the players but surely cannot have been many? I think people are just not bothered rather than the anger we saw in the Adkins season. Granted that was a division lower but this season has been one of our worst outside the top flight in our history – in terms of United sides that did not go down - with so many defeats.



The best part of the day was pre match and post-match beers. After the game went down Abbeydale Road and went to play darts/pool at the Abbeydale Social Club. Met up with Bladespod Ben, Roy (View from), Travelling, Webding (my other half in the Tufty Club) and a few others. We had a big darts tournament (10 of us) and somehow, I managed to win my three ties hitting my doubles and win it – beating Webding in the final. None of us were great though! Hoping there will be a view from Roy on the events of the evening. Drank too much but felt like we all needed that after another depressing game and result. I won’t be at Derby but will try and catch it and bring you a final report before sending my end of season review in the days after that.

Funnily enough I also had a walk down Abbeydale Road after match, first time as I usually head the other way. Did think about the Social Club but stayed in the Dead Donkey, then got the 75 bus to Chapeltown, which took about 2 days, had a “set-to” with a woman on the bus ! Lively hand bags

 

[Addison]

I don't rate Davies particularly but he has been largely OK since he came back in. Not sure he can be blamed at all for the 3 goals yesterday.

I get what you are saying about not coming off his line from corners but there is a trend rightly or wrongly for keepers to stay now with so many bodies/tussling.

How many times do you see keepers these days at any level come and get corners or even punch it? It is rare. The defence know he is not a dominant keeper from crosses and also have to deal with basic crosses better. McGuiness for a big centre half surely should be the man roaming to attack the ball if we are playing zonal which I don't like as players then escape blame if goals go in.

We conceded loads with Cooper in goal. The issues are a lot deeper than the keeper this year for me. They have been badly exposed. The third goal was a ridiculous high line when there were still 15 mins to go. I can only assume they were told to push up?

Heckingbottom and McCall knew Davies was a line hugger. Cue put the ball close to him around the penalty box and we'll get something. So a team that has a poor record from set pieces manage to get a centre back into position to score two headed goals. He hasn't scored a league goal all season!!

I agree with view the defenders have no confidence in Davies but they didnt cover themselves in glory with their lack of marking.

CW brought Moore to the club when he first came then Henderson later. A strong goalkeeper has always been a feature of his teams. Cooper's lacks stature and the ability to command his area imo albeit a good shot stopper. A goalkeeper is supposed to organise his defence at a set piece. There is little evidence of this happening. Yes Davies can't be blamed for the goals conceded yesterday but a confident 6 foot 6 goalie would at least have made an attempt to get to the ball on the penalty spot for their first.

With Coopers injury record I have no confidence he will start the season. If we extend Davies and he is the back up we will experience the Selles effect all over again. For the sake of the defence we should not extend Davies and bring in man Uniteds goalkeeper Vitek on loan. He has the attributes needed to help us build from the back.