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Match Report: City dominate shoot out. Ref has other ideas.


Olé

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A frenetic end to end game played out in biblical torrential rain that had everything - except a halfway competent referee. Not only were City inexplicably denied a fully deserved winner from Diedhiou's brilliant one-two and finish to seal an end to end thriller, but the match official finished the game penalising City at every opportunity.

Deepdale is just minutes from the EFL HQ and if you needed a metaphor for the last few years of administrative inadequacy in a league whose quality now vastly outstrips it's organisation, it was seeing a ref unable to keep up with two fine attacking sides and who ended up cheating one of them. 

Referee Davies gave Preston 2 penalties to get back from two goals down, allowed a questionable third Preston equaliser and disallowed two City goals in an afternoon he routinely pulled back play, didn't keep up to award advantage, and finished the day simply penalising the dominant visitors any time they got over the halfway line. 

City were the better side throughout and inside 10 minutes good work by a roaming Moore and Hunt allowed Palmer to thread a dangerous ball into the box, Weimann in to the byline and crossing low across the goal but no one there to turn home. City by some distance the more ready to go. 

A stunning break minutes later once again led by the domineering Palmer saw Hunt then Semenyo control in attack before a lay off back to Palmer allowed the impressive midfield man to win a corner from a deflected shot. Moore had space to convert from Massengo's touch, a warning Preston didn't heed.

Moore was having an all action game and he recovered a ball round the Preston box and fed Hunt whose deep cross was met by Rowe far post, his header saved at the second attempt. On the quarter hour mark  Preston broke with a long ball on the left, shades of handball as Harrop swept it crossfield to Maguire to fire side netting.

City were on top and in Kasey Palmer had a combination of strength and control that Preston couldn't live with, in the next ten he twice nearly threaded Weimann in, the ref also failing to give us any advantage when he was fouled, while down the other end Barthuizen went clear on goal only to be denied by Williams sliding interception.

Just before the half hour Moore managed to wriggle clear inside the box on the right and lift a looped cross beyond the far post that Rowe met, stepped inside for Palmer who steered a shot just wide  right. From the corner Williams pressured, the keeper spilled and Moore turned in at close range.

At the other end City had snuffed out any threat from the hosts but Daniel Johnson always looked a danger and on 33 Jack Hunt was injured as he tried to stem the Preston midfielder on a typical one touch move to pass their way through to City's goal - the visitors routinely picking rapid passes whenever they hit the away box.

But it was City who were on top and when Semenyo won another corner it was again a nightmare set piece for the hosts, their calamitous keeper this time slipping, and Weimann coming short to meet Brownhill's  left wing corner and glance it backwards and into the far corner as he did at Sheff Utd last season - City now well in control.

But the game turned in injury time as the home side enjoyed their most sustained pressure around the City box and amid a mad scramble with the ball pinging about it was first Palmer then Massengo who stuck a foot out, Daniel Johnson tumbling just inside the area, and resulting in a penalty from Gallagher that Bentley got close to.

Five minutes after half time it got worse as City broke rapidly again and Palmer nearly threaded a killer pass - the visitors often a pass away from another goal - but instea this time Preston broke down the right and swung in a cross in that Williams raised an arm to just inside the area. Johnson took the second penalty low to bottom corner. 

Yet Johnson's confident men never once stopped believing and in 90 seconds they should have been ahead again, a lethal break saw Brownhill stride out of midfield to feed Semenyo who ran off the last man before slashing a low shot past the keeper and across the box which Weimann met at the far post to turn in - ruled out for offside.

Relentless City continued their onslaught and a minute later yet another break saw Hunt cross in to Palmer who executed a crisp bicycle kick but steered his finish to the right of the goal. He would go close in minutes via a right wing break and shot at the near post, before Moore and Semenyo went off for Diedhiou and Watkins power.

And on the hour City had a second lead. Yet another corner - all three of our goals from that route - saw Williams again be a threat, heading down a right wing corner and leaving Baker time to bundle over the line in front of an ecstatic away end - with yet more flapping from third placed hosts who were looking less and less effective. 

City threw on O'Dowda for Palmer and the hosts made the first two changes of their own - and on 70 minutes Preston made it all square as a corner from the visitors left wasn't cleared and a deeper ball beyond the far post saw Bauer rise comfortably over impeded Baker, heading down and past Bentley, the ref unmoved by appeals.

On 72 O'Dowda ran at the Preston back line and Diedhiou powered in to threaten a chance but the hosts cut out the incursion  and the ball was half cleared, irrepressible Brownhill collecting and running in to hit a spinning dipping 30 yard shot from deep which was beaten away by the unsighted keeper. If anyone would win it, it was City.

Yet by now Daniel Johnson was starting to orchestrate quick fire attacks through the City back line in search of a home winner, albeit with ten remaining City won a deep free kick and Brownhill swung it in, where Diedhiou nodded on and Weimann, on the stretch, steered a header just wide. This was an end to end Championship game.

But for all Preston's late threat it was City that should have won it, sub Watkins had already been hauled down on the break to no great intervention by the ref, this time he combined with Hunt for a one-two with Diedhiou that allowed the Senegalese to slip inside his marker, and the sub poked home in front of a delerious away end.

There was no clue this deserved winner was in doubt and no Preston players had appealed, but referee Davies, already well off the pace, out of nowhere pointed to an infringement (at worst the Preston player had slipped) and set the tone for a simply remarkable finish where the scandalous official seemed determined to deny City.

Time and again he pulled the visitors up for a foul whenever we ventured toward the Preston goal, this left an entertaining fixture only heading towards one outcome despite the City dominance - and on 87 the classy Williams had to make a diving last gasp challenge to cut out Browne's finish as the hosts capitalised at the death.

But City clung on - odd language to use in a game we scored three goals in and had two penalties AND two disallowed goals given against us - the point the very least we deserved for a spirited, well organised performance in a wild showdown between two attacking sides that will ultimately be remembered for its inadequate referee.

 

Bentley 7 Close to one penalty, good claims second half, one bad throw out

Hunt 7 The odd bad touch or miscue and a weakness when they broke but largely a threat going forward

Rowe 7 Solid in a game of two good sides but not much forward contribution

Baker 7 Neat for first hour, scored, could have had a foul for their third, got a bit sloppy under pressure near end

Williams 8 Despite handball was classy at the back dealt with everything neatly and his presence at corners created two of our three goals

Moore 7 Unlucky to be sacrificed for formation, was running and passing out of the back well, got into dangerous areas and deserved his goal

Massengo 7 Typically classy at times and robbed them brilliantly in places, passed neatly, but by his own high standards the only criticism is a few interceptions were in positions where Preston could break from the second ball

Brownhill 8 Very energetic and mature perfornance, worked his proverbials off and at the heart of driving City forward on every break

Palmer 8 Our one legitimate creator, was almost casually strong and visionary on the ball, regularly dancing through normally physical Preston opponents and picking plenty of dangerous passes

Weimann 7 Back to the sort of energetic threat we know he can be away from home

Semenyo 6 Some nice touches in our best spell at 2-2 and possibly at that point unlucky to go off, but overall mixed bag, didn't always control forward balls and often caught in two minds between last man and dropping deeper to be involved, where he really must replicate Afobe

 

Diedhiou 7 Constant threat, nice touches and deserved what should have been the winner

Watkins 7 A few loose touches but in the main surprisingly dangerous as part of our many breaks, was definitely ready to go

O'Dowda 6 A few nice runs from out wide but we had lost our way when he came on

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Just now, Olé said:

A frenetic end to end game played out in biblical torrential rain that had everything - except a halfway competent referee. Not only were City inexplicably denied a fully deserved winner from Diedhiou's brilliant one-two and finish to seal an end to end thriller, but the match official finished the game penalising City at every opportunity.

Deepdale is just minutes from the EFL HQ and if you needed a metaphor for the last few years of administrative inadequacy in a league whose quality now vastly outstrips it's organisation, it was seeing a ref unable to keep up with two fine attacking sides and who ended up cheating one of them. 

Referee Davies gave Preston 2 penalties to get back from two goals down, allowed a questionable third Preston equaliser and disallowed two City goals in an afternoon he routinely pulled back play, didn't keep up to award advantage, and finished the day simply penalising the dominant visitors any time they got over the halfway line. 

City were the better side throughout and inside 10 minutes good work by a roaming Moore and Hunt allowed Palmer to thread a dangerous ball into the box, Weimann in to the byline and crossing low across the goal but no one there to turn home. City by some distance the more ready to go. 

A stunning break minutes later once again led by the domineering Palmer saw Hunt then Semenyo control in attack before a lay off back to Palmer allowed the impressive midfield man to win a corner from a deflected shot. Moore had space to convert from Massengo's touch, a warning Preston didn't heed.

Moore was having an all action game and he recovered a ball round the Preston box and fed Hunt whose deep cross was met by Rowe far post, his header saved at the second attempt. On the quarter hour mark  Preston broke with a long ball on the left, shades of handball as Harrop swept it crossfield to Maguire to fire side netting.

City were on top and in Kasey Palmer had a combination of strength and control that Preston couldn't live with, in the next ten he twice nearly threaded Weimann in, the ref also failing to give us any advantage when he was fouled, while down the other end Barthuizen went clear on goal only to be denied by Williams sliding interception.

Just before the half hour Moore managed to wriggle clear inside the box on the right and lift a looped cross beyond the far post that Rowe met, stepped inside for Palmer who steered a shot just wide  right. From the corner Williams pressured, the keeper spilled and Moore turned in at close range.

At the other end City had snuffed out any threat from the hosts but Daniel Johnson always looked a danger and on 33 Jack Hunt was injured as he tried to stem the Preston midfielder on a typical one touch move to pass their way through to City's goal - the visitors routinely picking rapid passes whenever they hit the away box.

But it was City who were on top and when Semenyo won another corner it was again a nightmare set piece for the hosts, their calamitous keeper this time slipping, and Weimann coming short to meet Brownhill's  left wing corner and glance it backwards and into the far corner as he did at Sheff Utd last season - City now well in control.

But the game turned in injury time as the home side enjoyed their most sustained pressure around the City box and amid a mad scramble with the ball pinging about it was first Palmer then Massengo who stuck a foot out, Daniel Johnson tumbling just inside the area, and resulting in a penalty from Gallagher that Bentley got close to.

Five minutes after half time it got worse as City broke rapidly again and Palmer nearly threaded a killer pass - the visitors often a pass away from another goal - but instea this time Preston broke down the right and swung in a cross in that Williams raised an arm to just inside the area. Johnson took the second penalty low to bottom corner. 

Yet Johnson's confident men never once stopped believing and in 90 seconds they should have been ahead again, a lethal break saw Brownhill stride out of midfield to feed Semenyo who ran off the last man before slashing a low shot past the keeper and across the box which Weimann met at the far post to turn in - ruled out for offside.

Relentless City continued their onslaught and a minute later yet another break saw Hunt cross in to Palmer who executed a crisp bicycle kick but steered his finish to the right of the goal. He would go close in minutes via a right wing break and shot at the near post, before Moore and Semenyo went off for Diedhiou and Watkins power.

And on the hour City had a second lead. Yet another corner - all three of our goals from that route - saw Williams again be a threat, heading down a right wing corner and leaving Baker time to bundle over the line in front of an ecstatic away end - with yet more flapping from third placed hosts who were looking less and less effective. 

City threw on O'Dowda for Palmer and the hosts made the first two changes of their own - and on 70 minutes Preston made it all square as a corner from the visitors left wasn't cleared and a deeper ball beyond the far post saw Bauer rise comfortably over impeded Baker, heading down and past Bentley, the ref unmoved by appeals.

On 72 O'Dowda ran at the Preston back line and Diedhiou powered in to threaten a chance but the hosts cut out the incursion  and the ball was half cleared, irrepressible Brownhill collecting and running in to hit a spinning dipping 30 yard shot from deep which was beaten away by the unsighted keeper. If anyone would win it, it was City.

Yet by now Daniel Johnson was starting to orchestrate quick fire attacks through the City back line in search of a home winner, albeit with ten remaining City won a deep free kick and Brownhill swung it in, where Diedhiou nodded on and Weimann, on the stretch, steered a header just wide. This was an end to end Championship game.

But for all Preston's late threat it was City that should have won it, sub Watkins had already been hauled down on the break to no great intervention by the ref, this time he combined with Hunt for a one-two with Diedhiou that allowed the Senegalese to slip inside his marker, and the sub poked home in front of a delerious away end.

There was no clue this deserved winner was in doubt and no Preston players had appealed, but referee Davies, already well off the pace, out of nowhere pointed to an infringement (at worst the Preston player had slipped) and set the tone for a simply remarkable finish where the scandalous official seemed determined to deny City.

Time and again he pulled the visitors up for a foul whenever we ventured toward the Preston goal, this left an entertaining fixture only heading towards one outcome despite the City dominance - and on 87 the classy Williams had to make a diving last gasp challenge to cut out Browne's finish as the hosts capitalised at the death.

But City clung on - odd language to use in a game we scored three goals in and had two penalties AND two disallowed goals given against us - the point the very least we deserved for a spirited, well organised performance in a wild showdown between two attacking sides that will ultimately be remembered for its inadequate referee.

 

Bentley 7 Close to one penalty, good claims second half, one bad throw out

Hunt 7 The odd bad touch or miscue and a weakness when they broke but largely a threat going forward

Rowe 7 Solid in a game of two good sides but not much forward contribution

Baker 7 Neat for first hour, scored, could have had a foul for their third, got a bit sloppy under pressure near end

Williams 8 Despite handball was classy at the back dealt with everything neatly and his presence at corners created two of our three goals

Moore 7 Unlucky to be sacrificed for formation, was running and passing out of the back well, got into dangerous areas and deserved his goal

Massengo 7 Typically classy at times and robbed them brilliantly in places, passed neatly, but by his own high standards the only criticism is a few interceptions were in positions where Preston could break from the second ball

Brownhill 8 Very energetic and mature perfornance, worked his proverbials off and at the heart of driving City forward on every break

Palmer 8 Our one legitimate creator, was almost casually strong and visionary on the ball, regularly dancing through normally physical Preston opponents and picking plenty of dangerous passes

Weimann 7 Back to the sort of energetic threat we know he can be away from home

Semenyo 6 Some nice touches in our best spell at 2-2 and possibly at that point unlucky to go off, but overall mixed bag, didn't always control forward balls and often caught in two minds between last man and dropping deeper to be involved, where he really must replicate Afobe

 

Diedhiou 7 Constant threat, nice touches and deserved what should have been the winner

Watkins 7 A few loose touches but in the main surprisingly dangerous as part of our many breaks, was definitely ready to go

O'Dowda 6 A few nice runs from out wide but we had lost our way when he came on

Great report as usual Ole. Cheers

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Yeah, having seen it on Quest with the reverse angle the disallowed goal of Fams is the right decision - in fact, I’d question as I think he was there for the shot already why he needed to do the two handed shove. Didn’t look a foul from the live angle so probably fair play to the ref on that one.

Their third goal though - undoubtedly a foul. I’m also not sure on the first penalty. Probably a bit of scattergun reffing and things when they were right being so through luck rather than judgement

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Great report as always @Olé .

If Bauer's goal was legit, so was Diedhiou's. By letter both likely could've been chalked off- but I struggle to see how you allow Bauer's but disallow Diedhiou's.

Weimann's disallowed goal am assuming was definitely offside? No highlights showed it, no mention on Quest.

Possibly a stretch to suggest that Diedhiou foul linked to conditions? Two unrelated probably.

One thing- you mentioned dominance. In most respects I agree, certainly a lot of chances but we seemed to have had somewhat less of the ball too- is this our new gameplan now do you think or is this needs must with all the absentees.

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23 minutes ago, Robin1988 said:

Enjoy the red-tinted specs we always get with these reports.

A non-City supporting mate saw the winner ruled out on Quest and said it looked a pretty sure foul.

The Quest ‘independent’ overall view was both pens we’re correct, 1 of our first 2 was probably a foul as was their last one. So actually 1 wrong decision per team. Strange that reading the thread earlier and this report it sounded like there was a robbery! Well not strange really, if i’d Been there sure i’d Have said the same....

On to London!

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38 minutes ago, steveybadger said:

The Quest ‘independent’ overall view was both pens we’re correct, 1 of our first 2 was probably a foul as was their last one. So actually 1 wrong decision per team. Strange that reading the thread earlier and this report it sounded like there was a robbery! Well not strange really, if i’d Been there sure i’d Have said the same....

On to London!

He didn't make one bad decision mate, he was ******* shite throughout and their 3-3 goal is laughable in modern football.... it's a foul  and 100% according to LJ who I happen to agree with

 

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Great report as always - the phsical nature of this game seemed to be the catalyst for the events that followed. We stood up to a team that normally bully us and have so far this season, dominated possesion in some games and strangled the life out of them. We scored 3 times and conceded 1 in open play (penalties were identified as a problem in preseason but these were harsh). It was a good day a the office, we can count ourselves unlucky (whether error or misfortune) that the score was 3-3, on a different day it could have been 5-1 & it wasn't down to the players that it wasnt.

From a City point of view, numerous fouls not given gave more context to the decisions I think; a two handed shove on Weiman completely ignored, Massengo cynically brought down only to be surrounded by Preston players for his troubles - the reaction was what got their player his yellow card, Palmer (as mentioned) tripped and kicked in and around the halfway line, watching it in real time, there also seemed to be a raised arm on Watkins as he bundled through the Preston midfield (it was probably not an intentional elbow to the face) but Johnson defintiley looked for him and tried to block Watkins off with his arm, all of these went virtually unpunished (only HNM was awarded a free kick).

It was a very physical game & that does fluster referees, particularly in this league - I did think the second was a penalty even from the other end of the pitch, but I was quite sure Weiman was onside when the shot was taken (only in real time, I glanced across to see who was supporting) for the first disallowed goal. Quite happy to stand corrected, maybe all 4 were right decisions, it's very unlikely and it would be terribly unlucky!

Mentally I think this game was a victory for a side that is growing in maturity with every game, obviously physically they will have been bruised (after Moore scored, he, baker and Rowe all received treatment either on or off the pitch within minutes of each other).

Here's to a very different game on Wednesday!

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24 minutes ago, 054123 said:

I thought the Preston payer went down because he slipped.

Doesnt really matter as the rule I now teach my kids is ‘he who falls over first, wins the foul’.

What a wonderful game 

What about the incident where Harop I think , threw himself to the ground in our penalty area and the ref waved play on ?

If it’s a dive , it’s a yellow card . Nothing given , again. 

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8 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

Yeah, having seen it on Quest with the reverse angle the disallowed goal of Fams is the right decision - in fact, I’d question as I think he was there for the shot already why he needed to do the two handed shove. Didn’t look a foul from the live angle so probably fair play to the ref on that one.

Their third goal though - undoubtedly a foul. I’m also not sure on the first penalty. Probably a bit of scattergun reffing and things when they were right being so through luck rather than judgement

However you have to ask. If our first goal is completely fine and their third goal was completely fine, then why isn’t Diedhious?

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Not seen game yet, but Rowe seems to offer very little going forward doesn't he? Imagine our side now with Dasilva offering so much on that left side. Not sure when he is back, but will be massive when he is.

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1 hour ago, JonDolman said:

Not seen game yet, but Rowe seems to offer very little going forward doesn't he? Imagine our side now with Dasilva offering so much on that left side. Not sure when he is back, but will be massive when he is.

Apart from the two goals he has scored Jon? 

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2 hours ago, Flint says No said:

However you have to ask. If our first goal is completely fine and their third goal was completely fine, then why isn’t Diedhious?

I know they are rose tinted but in my eyes the first is not one to be disallowed - Moore does go backwards but the goalkeeper has completely failed to take control of the situation. If he stands his ground or jumps and even flaps at the corner, there is no goal as TM probably goes on and fouls him - he didn’t and managed to have the ball land in his arms, which he promptly dropped.

The second one I would say is more up for debate. But for me it’s a case of Johnson trying to push a player away from the keeper, you can’t see a push, but the city player’s probably just nudged him and he’s knocked the keeper over. It was embarrassing from their keeper - they would have been incandescent with rage if this game had been the other way round & they know it.

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11 hours ago, Robin1988 said:

Enjoy the red-tinted specs we always get with these reports.

A non-City supporting mate saw the winner ruled out on Quest and said it looked a pretty sure foul.

Agreed - they are always worth a read but always fairly red-tinted like you say. 

Once you see the Quest angle on the Fammy gol you can see it was a foul. 

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38 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

Apart from the two goals he has scored Jon? 

He scored one from left back, or left wing back against Birmingham. The other was from his best position in central midfield against Boro, as O'Dowda moved to left back.

For me he doesn't get forward enough, and when he does he can't beat a man as he has no pace. 

Dasilva offers so much more with his pace and trickery imo. O'Dowda would offer more at wing back too imo. And I have even suggested Eliasson, as he has shown he really can tackle and has the pace and work rate to play wing back imo.

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13 hours ago, forbespm said:

Fams "goal"was right to be ruled out i,m afraid...2 handed shove...baker was definitely flattened for there equaliser though

I really think if he had only used one hand he would have gotten away with it. Harsh, but if it was against us I would be appealing for it.

12 hours ago, AppyDAZE said:

He didn't make one bad decision mate, he was ******* shite throughout and their 3-3 goal is laughable in modern football.... it's a foul  and 100% according to LJ who I happen to agree with

 

My word was Dogshite, on the way back. Since seeing the highlights I amended that to poor/inconsistent. You can see why he's given some of those decisions, but that doesn't excuse his overall game.

4 hours ago, JonDolman said:

Not seen game yet, but Rowe seems to offer very little going forward doesn't he? Imagine our side now with Dasilva offering so much on that left side. Not sure when he is back, but will be massive when he is.

I think Rowe has been brilliant standing in for JD, we would have been in all sorts of trouble without his versatility. Yes he's not DaSilva going forward, but lets be fair he's done a great job standing in, specially as he wasn't expected to get much game time. 

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Having watched live on TV I wrote my comments on the matchday thread and whilst the officials were poor throughout (usually in favour of PNE,)  the key decisions being debated hereabouts they got right.  There's also no link between The Bloke From Knowle and Bauer incidents, so why compare? As many have picked up, though it looked harsh in real time when the feed showed the reverse angle it's clearly a foul by TBFK (pushing plus he oversteps with his right peg.) In Bauer's case many like to circulate images of him on the way down but fact is when he jumps and makes contact with the ball he's not using Baker as a lever. Baker himself often gets unfairly called for this when running to meet the ball his opponent fails to jump, stops or backs in thus forcing him over the top which though often adjudged a foul is nothing of the sort.

I note few comments on the fact our first should have been chalked off for  handball by Williams.

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11 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

I really think if he had only used one hand he would have gotten away with it. Harsh, but if it was against us I would be appealing for it.

My word was Dogshite, on the way back. Since seeing the highlights I amended that to poor/inconsistent. You can see why he's given some of those decisions, but that doesn't excuse his overall game.

I think Rowe has been brilliant standing in for JD, we would have been in all sorts of trouble without his versatility. Yes he's not DaSilva going forward, but lets be fair he's done a great job standing in, specially as he wasn't expected to get much game time. 

I have yet to rate Rowe higher than a 7 in a game. A few bad performances like Derby, QPR and Stoke. I don't think we would have been all sorts of trouble with O'Dowda there.

I thought O'Dowda looked more comfortable than Rowe when moving to left back against Boro, and offered a lot more going forward in that position.

Rowe also looked more comfortable himself in central midfield and scored the equaliser from O'Dowda's run from left back.

I understand Rowe is maybe doing a bit better than some may have expected, but I still think his lack of pace means he has limitations going forward and can be targeted defensively too.

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11 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

I have yet to rate Rowe higher than a 7 in a game. A few bad performances like Derby, QPR and Stoke. I don't think we would have been all sorts of trouble with O'Dowda there.

I thought O'Dowda looked more comfortable than Rowe when moving to left back against Boro, and offered a lot more going forward in that position.

Rowe also looked more comfortable himself in central midfield and scored the equaliser from O'Dowda's run from left back.

I understand Rowe is maybe doing a bit better than some may have expected, but I still think his lack of pace means he has limitations going forward and can be targeted defensively too.

I have been pleased, surprised and relieved at him so far. When JD comes back it will obviously be an upgrade, and I think LJ will have to, or be able to tweak the side a little. Let's not forget that I've seen criticism of DaSilva for his defending and leaving gaps. O'Dowda is far better than he was at defending, but I don't see him as a long term option at WB. That said with the CB's we have ,I think it would give scope for WB's or defensive wingers (Watkins on the right?) to be used as options. 
I'll be glad when everyone is fit, and maybe we get a new striker in. The squad , I believe is good enough to make a real push towards the Play Off's , what we need is some luck. 

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3 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

I have been pleased, surprised and relieved at him so far. When JD comes back it will obviously be an upgrade, and I think LJ will have to, or be able to tweak the side a little. Let's not forget that I've seen criticism of DaSilva for his defending and leaving gaps. O'Dowda is far better than he was at defending, but I don't see him as a long term option at WB. That said with the CB's we have ,I think it would give scope for WB's or defensive wingers (Watkins on the right?) to be used as options. 
I'll be glad when everyone is fit, and maybe we get a new striker in. The squad , I believe is good enough to make a real push towards the Play Off's , what we need is some luck. 

Watkins was very impressive at right wing back in an under 23s game against Leeds. And Leeds had a very strong side out, all first team players really who have played a lot in recent seasons and Watkins really looked good there.

But then we do have Hunt and Pereira, so plenty of options that side.

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