cityexile

Real must win for them, wheras the first real chance for us to put this season to bed. We have the poorest away form next to Rotherham, so hopefully we are not to passive, and actually try and play some football. Feels like 1-1 will be the highest score likely, but who knows. We are in the margin of error region now in terms of a chance taken or missed, a mistake, a 25 yard cracker, a decision given or not. Hopefully falls our way today. Birmingham to beat Burton please. Enough of this 'better to have as many involved as possible' stuff. Just want the teams with fewest points to lose now. No surprises wanted at Brighton v Wigan - want to keep that Cat away from being put amougst any pigeons, and Cardiff to beat Forest.

Leaving now. Did not expect to win two the last two games at home, so no real reason we can not repeat it today, but on the basis this season has been one step forward, one step back, going to say 2-2. Hoping for the best, and keeping my ear open for scores at Forest. Only real consistent over our last four games has been the team scoring first has won pretty easily, so here is hoping it is us today. Do we ever have a boring season?

Careful now, is this a friend? http://www.otib.co.uk/index.php?/topic/152819-be-afraid-be-very-afraid/ Seriously, a lot of teams seem to be better in this league 'sitting back'. Our last four games have been pretty tight until the first goal, and then pretty one sided. I am sure we will not disrespect you, and indeed I suspect some of your side may feel more fired up playing LJ, which is a shame for us in some ways. Often in just comes down to who has the breaks, or takes their chances on the day. Every reason as well for our lot to have more nerves. Decent season for your lot. Hope we are playing you next season.

Dear God. We were excellent in the first half.

What players does he trust now?

Only people allowed to hold their head up tonight is the 312 City fans.

Well, the dam has burst. These players are not playing for LJ. We are getting trounced by a competent Championship side. Just to add, Preston typically score most of their goals in the last 15 mins. Is this a Swansea moment? Should be, but won't.

Good management is not buying great players, it is getting the best out of what you have got. Fair play to Preston.

Bloody good night...for Burton. Heads have gone. Given up. Embarrassing.

We are allowed to make our subs at 60 mins, so there is that...

Will Preston have an easier game this year? Just do the basics right and wait for us to make mistakes.

Well, so much for the half time talk...

BBC is showing 41%, not that it matters a huge amount. Our tactics seem to be play deep and try and catch them out. Might work if we did not completely go to sleep at the back a couple of times a game. Still cannot get over how poor their goal is.

Still in it I suppose, and last two seasons we have got a point from this position. Clearly been second best pretty much. Just so frustrating at this level where the opponents are not having to score 'good' goals and we are constantly playing catch up. Does not matter how good or not our players are if we cannot defend as a unit we will struggle against anyone.

Preston good home form, v our poor away form. Hoping rather than expecting our usual away draw at Preston following them beating us at AG.

They are still ahead 1-0 on premiership scalps however...

With the other results, we needed it to give us a chance. For once, we somehow dug it out. Last two wins it seems like in forever has been 1-0 against the two teams below us, but hopefully a late winner for a change lifts the mood.

Hold on! Please no more false hope!

Not sounded great. In fairness, players trying to get used to another formation. Tomlin on the left, really? Wigan dong what Wigan do, and the officials seem happy to let them get away with it at the moment. Got 1-0 written all over it. Ho hum.

Well, at least explains that one. Bad news.

Have to agree, although happy to see Reid not in starting 11.

Still just comes across as a manger desperately looking for a line up that will work. Have we ever played this back four before? Djuric not even on the bench? Assume they have seen Tammy and he is 100%, but might have started Djuric and Taylor, with Tammy on bench if anything less. If the team have a blind clue as to what their roles are, should be goals in it. If.

2-6-2 it is then.

My first thought. From up front to RB?

Wigan seem to be eking out just enough 1-0s to give themselves a chance. Difficult to feel positive about any game involving us at the moment. Will be a selection we barely understand, if down we will start playing some football. Maximum one goal in the game. Who knows.