Match Report: Stylish City suffer stupid sucker punch

[Olé]

We're three weeks short of Nigel Pearson's one year anniversary and City, growing both in confidence and swagger in recent weeks, produced easily not only the best display of his challenging reign, but one of the best at this level since promotion in 2015 - being in complete control for long periods, opening up Preston with slick passing combinations throughout while being strong and tigerish without the ball. Close to a complete game.

All the more remarkable therefore that City's familiar achilles heel reared it's ugly head in - even by Pearson's last minute record - the most preposterous of manner, the dominant away side surrendering a first away victory since September with literally the last kick of the game, and in a match where if anything it was them that should have gone further in front, dominating even in the final moments before the most ridiculous of sucker punch.

With Tim Klose making his debut in central defence it took a while for the game to open up - when it did, it was all City. On 10 from a Scott free kick the visitors won a corner and DaSilva's left wing set piece prompted head tennis with O'Dowda eventually glancing on to Klose himself whose header was claimed by keeper Iverson just under his crossbar. It was one of the first contributions from what was a classy arrival for the Swiss defender.

Minutes later all action Scott charged down a midfield opponent in Preston's half, stole the ball and slipped it inside to start a slick move from which Weimann on the run fed it through the lines and into the box for Martin to stride in and on the turn fire back across the keeper and low into the far corner. This was City at their convincing best, pressing the opposition high up, stealing possession and carving through with slick interplay.

Before 20 minutes a DaSilva and Semenyo combination on the right touchline teased a way through Preston again, Scott turning inside and giving DaSilva room to cross and though it was half cleared by now Semenyo was central and ready to laser a volley just over the bar. Next an outrageous one two on the same side saw Kalas of all people take a return from DaSilva flush to the touchline to go clear, his wicked cross turned behind.

This was a City display travelling fans had not seen for years, all over their hosts, slick combinations and overlaps while giving the home side nothing, Archer's run through the left channel after half an hour into the box but easily muscled out by Kalas. He and the new man Klose were both winning headers and too strong for Preston, while confidently passing out from the back, the debutant in particular with l a range of accurate passes.

But City did not capitalise on two stunning moves. On 35 Kalas won the ball in midfield and Scott stylishly fed Martin whose deep ball found O'Dowda in space left of the box only to fire over. Then a deep Scott free kick after the marauding Massengo was hacked down was half cleared but the rebound fell to the combative Semenyo left of the box, he squared dangerously across the area to Weimann who fired wide of an open goal.

It was only from the restart that Preston got any momentum, Archer curling over at the edge of the box. But minutes later an inch perfect sliderule pass from Klose dissected opponents and found Semenyo on the left flank - whose quick instincts put O'Dowda immediately clear on goal. The winger was in acres of space and had time to square to Martin for an easy tap in, only to be whistled back, adjudging him to have slipped offside.

Then a cruel twist, Preston with barely any threat, saw a low drive by Archer from the edge of the box tipped wide by O'Leary but into the path of Riis Jakobsen who was able to fire home. At the other end despite Klose down on halfway with an injury, Massengo chased back a home break to intercept on the edge of the box, DaSilva then breaking himself and putting Semenyo clear through, seemingly tackled in the box but no penalty.

Williams joined for O'Dowda, sadly our least effective player, with the game becoming an increasingly scrappy affair as home players threw themselves to ground on any contact hoping to break up City's relentless rhythm to get a foothold. Most notably with quarter of an hour left Weimann put the irrepressible  Semenyo clear but on turning into the box in front of a defender he tumbled in the area - only for the ref to give the foul against him.

With Williams now controlling midfield City were dominating as much as the first half. A Martin break down the right channel cut the ball back for Pring to eventually run on and win a corner. When the corner was recycled Massengo dropped a shoulder and slipped a ball into the box for Semenyo at the near post who slammed it unerringly through the keeper into roof of the net - in front of away fans, euphoria at a deserved, overdue lead. 

City finished the match absolutely dominant with Williams now pulling the strings - going on an endless run through Preston players, finding quick footed Massengo skipping into the box, and from the half clearance Martin curled just over the top corner. The visitors were now breaking at will as Preston pushed up, Semenyo, Weimann and even Martin all running clear into the channels but not once turning for the corner to run the clock down.

Amazingly City would pay - from their most wasteful break or the lot. Pring went off on a barnstorming run with literally seconds left, he kept on running, got to the box but there was no pass and no shot, and when he was robbed edge of the box Preston broke down their right, swung in a cross and Jakobsen peeled off Vyner and volleyed into the top corner for his second, and a little deserved equaliser from the last kick of the game.

City have made a bad habit this season of throwing away leads, but for those massed up in the steep away stand at Deepdale this was among the most painful and ridiculous. Perhaps the best that City has played since promotion, with Scott and Massengo head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch with energy, closing, quick thinking touches and combinations. A stand out performance for them and for manager Nigel Pearson.

O'Leary 6 Good distribution and a few good parries but worrying now how little he claims crosses

Kalas 8 Comfortable with and without the ball and was everywhere

Klose 8 Always organizing and speaking, won his headers and passing 

Pring 7 Solid as always but should have been smarter in the 95th minute

Massengo 9 Unplayable, incredible engine chased everything broke up play and some great touches

Scott 9 Ran out of a bit of steam but prior to that as complete a midfield performance as I've seen from a City player, for a slight 18 year old he was breaking up play, getting stuck in, producing top class touches to get away from them and setting up attacks

DaSilva 7 Combined well with teammates and notable that most of our threat came down the right his side rather than via the orthodox winger the other side

O'Dowda 5 I don't have an agenda he just doesn't do the things Scott, Massengo, and many others do. Very little to speak about and a terrible finish.

Weimann 6 Horrible miss but bags of energy and often just making a run was key to creating the space others thrived on 

Martin 7 He's a different player to the one at the end of last year, seems to have a new gear and linking up well throughout

Semenyo 8 Constant threat, like Scott the touches on the ball are a class above this level, gets it away from opponents so effortlessly and got in behind them at will

 

Williams 7

Cundy 5

Vyner 5

[REDOXO]

11 minutes ago, Olé said:

We're three weeks short of Nigel Pearson's one year anniversary and City, growing both in confidence and swagger in recent weeks, produced easily not only the best display of his challenging reign, but one of the best at this level since promotion in 2015 - being in complete control for long periods, opening up Preston with slick passing combinations throughout while being strong and tigerish without the ball. Close to a complete game.

All the more remarkable therefore that City's familiar achilles heel reared it's ugly head in - even by Pearson's last minute record - the most preposterous of manner, the dominant away side surrendering a first away victory since September with literally the last kick of the game, and in a match where if anything it was them that should have gone further in front, dominating even in the final moments before the most ridiculous of sucker punch.

With Tim Klose making his debut in central defence it took a while for the game to open up - when it did, it was all City. On 10 from a Scott free kick the visitors won a corner and DaSilva's left wing set piece prompted head tennis with O'Dowda eventually glancing on to Klose himself whose header was claimed by keeper Iverson just under his crossbar. It was one of the first contributions from what was a classy arrival for the Swiss defender.

Minutes later all action Scott charged down a midfield opponent in Preston's half, stole the ball and slipped it inside to start a slick move from which Weimann on the run fed it through the lines and into the box for Martin to stride in and on the turn fire back across the keeper and low into the far corner. This was City at their convincing best, pressing the opposition high up, stealing possession and carving through with slick interplay.

Before 20 minutes a DaSilva and Semenyo combination on the right touchline teased a way through Preston again, Scott turning inside and giving DaSilva room to cross and though it was half cleared by now Semenyo was central and ready to laser a volley just over the bar. Next an outrageous one two on the same side saw Kalas of all people take a return from DaSilva flush to the touchline to go clear, his wicked cross turned behind.

This was a City display travelling fans had not seen for years, all over their hosts, slick combinations and overlaps while giving the home side nothing, Archer's run through the left channel after half an hour into the box but easily muscled out by Kalas. He and the new man Klose were both winning headers and too strong for Preston, while confidently passing out from the back, the debutant in particular with l a range of accurate passes.

But City did not capitalise on two stunning moves. On 35 Kalas won the ball in midfield and Scott stylishly fed Martin whose deep ball found O'Dowda in space left of the box only to fire over. Then a deep Scott free kick after the marauding Massengo was hacked down was half cleared but the rebound fell to the combative Semenyo left of the box, he squared dangerously across the area to Weimann who fired wide of an open goal.

It was only from the restart that Preston got any momentum, Archer curling over at the edge of the box. But minutes later an inch perfect sliderule pass from Klose dissected opponents and found Semenyo on the left flank - whose quick instincts put O'Dowda immediately clear on goal. The winger was in acres of space and had time to square to Martin for an easy tap in, only to be whistled back, adjudging him to have slipped offside.

Then a cruel twist, Preston with barely any threat, saw a low drive by Archer from the edge of the box tipped wide by O'Leary but into the path of Riis Jakobsen who was able to fire home. At the other end despite Klose down on halfway with an injury, Massengo chased back a home break to intercept on the edge of the box, DaSilva then breaking himself and putting Semenyo clear through, seemingly tackled in the box but no penalty.

Williams joined for O'Dowda, sadly our least effective player, with the game becoming an increasingly scrappy affair as home players threw themselves to ground on any contact hoping to break up City's relentless rhythm to get a foothold. Most notably with quarter of an hour left Weimann put the irrepressible  Semenyo clear but on turning into the box in front of a defender he tumbled in the area - only for the ref to give the foul against him.

With Williams now controlling midfield City were dominating as much as the first half. A Martin break down the right channel cut the ball back for Pring to eventually run on and win a corner. When the corner was recycled Massengo dropped a shoulder and slipped a ball into the box for Semenyo at the near post who slammed it unerringly through the keeper into roof of the net - in front of away fans, euphoria at a deserved, overdue lead. 

City finished the match absolutely dominant with Williams now pulling the strings - going on an endless run through Preston players, finding quick footed Massengo skipping into the box, and from the half clearance Martin curled just over the top corner. The visitors were now breaking at will as Preston pushed up, Semenyo, Weimann and even Martin all running clear into the channels but not once turning for the corner to run the clock down.

Amazingly City would pay - from their most wasteful break or the lot. Pring went off on a barnstorming run with literally seconds left, he kept on running, got to the box but there was no pass and no shot, and when he was robbed edge of the box Preston broke down their right, swung in a cross and Jakobsen peeled off Vyner and volleyed into the top corner for his second, and a little deserved equaliser from the last kick of the game.

City have made a bad habit this season of throwing away leads, but for those massed up in the steep away stand at Deepdale this was among the most painful and ridiculous. Perhaps the best that City has played since promotion, with Scott and Massengo head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch with energy, closing, quick thinking touches and combinations. A stand out performance for them and for manager Nigel Pearson.

O'Leary 6 Good distribution and a few good parries but worrying now how little he claims crosses

Kalas 8 Comfortable with and without the ball and was everywhere

Klose 8 Always organizing and speaking, won his headers and passing 

Pring 7 Solid as always but should have been smarter in the 95th minute

Massengo 9 Unplayable, incredible engine chased everything broke up play and some great touches

Scott 9 Ran out of a bit of steam but prior to that as complete a midfield performance as I've seen from a City player, for a slight 18 year old he was breaking up play, getting stuck in, producing top class touches to get away from them and setting up attacks

DaSilva 7 Combined well with teammates and notable that most of our threat came down the right his side rather than via the orthodox winger the other side

O'Dowda 5 I don't have an agenda he just doesn't do the things Scott, Massengo, and many others do. Very little to speak about and a terrible finish.

Weimann 6 Horrible miss but bags of energy and often just making a run was key to creating the space others thrived on 

Martin 7 He's a different player to the one at the end of last year, seems to have a new gear and linking up well throughout

Semenyo 8 Constant threat, like Scott the touches on the ball are a class above this level, gets it away from opponents so effortlessly and got in behind them at will

 

Williams 7

Cundy 5

Vyner 5

I think with out going to much through the report, the players ratings I reckon are pretty fair. I would have probably have given Odowda a six, but otherwise accurate. Despite the last minute disaster I think most of us knew that something like it was coming from the moment of a Weimann nightmare miss. A real balls up for a bloke who has been excellent for some time. Just a bad day at the office for him

My personal opinion is we are going to give someone a right drubbing soon. 

Edited January 29, 2022 by REDOXO

[Curr Avon]

Great  to see you in the Stanley after the match Rob. A terrific report which reflects the pleasure and pain of today's performance.

Late drama aside the plus points were the cool and composed Klose (I'm going refer to him as Tiny Timm. Try it, it'll catch on) the Massengo/Scott axis in midfield, a revelation which had Preston fans impressed and the Oxlike strength of Williams, sometimes dragging opponents behind him.

Lots to be positive about. Iron out those defensive errors (please) and we'll finish this season strongly and look confidently towards 2022/23.

Edited January 29, 2022 by Curr Avon

[italian dave]

Spot on @Olé

The one thing that disappointed me today was the quality of our crosses. That hasn’t improved nearly as much as many other aspects of our game recently.

[Rossi the Robin]

34 minutes ago, Olé said:

We're three weeks short of Nigel Pearson's one year anniversary and City, growing both in confidence and swagger in recent weeks, produced easily not only the best display of his challenging reign, but one of the best at this level since promotion in 2015 - being in complete control for long periods, opening up Preston with slick passing combinations throughout while being strong and tigerish without the ball. Close to a complete game.

All the more remarkable therefore that City's familiar achilles heel reared it's ugly head in - even by Pearson's last minute record - the most preposterous of manner, the dominant away side surrendering a first away victory since September with literally the last kick of the game, and in a match where if anything it was them that should have gone further in front, dominating even in the final moments before the most ridiculous of sucker punch.

With Tim Klose making his debut in central defence it took a while for the game to open up - when it did, it was all City. On 10 from a Scott free kick the visitors won a corner and DaSilva's left wing set piece prompted head tennis with O'Dowda eventually glancing on to Klose himself whose header was claimed by keeper Iverson just under his crossbar. It was one of the first contributions from what was a classy arrival for the Swiss defender.

Minutes later all action Scott charged down a midfield opponent in Preston's half, stole the ball and slipped it inside to start a slick move from which Weimann on the run fed it through the lines and into the box for Martin to stride in and on the turn fire back across the keeper and low into the far corner. This was City at their convincing best, pressing the opposition high up, stealing possession and carving through with slick interplay.

Before 20 minutes a DaSilva and Semenyo combination on the right touchline teased a way through Preston again, Scott turning inside and giving DaSilva room to cross and though it was half cleared by now Semenyo was central and ready to laser a volley just over the bar. Next an outrageous one two on the same side saw Kalas of all people take a return from DaSilva flush to the touchline to go clear, his wicked cross turned behind.

This was a City display travelling fans had not seen for years, all over their hosts, slick combinations and overlaps while giving the home side nothing, Archer's run through the left channel after half an hour into the box but easily muscled out by Kalas. He and the new man Klose were both winning headers and too strong for Preston, while confidently passing out from the back, the debutant in particular with l a range of accurate passes.

But City did not capitalise on two stunning moves. On 35 Kalas won the ball in midfield and Scott stylishly fed Martin whose deep ball found O'Dowda in space left of the box only to fire over. Then a deep Scott free kick after the marauding Massengo was hacked down was half cleared but the rebound fell to the combative Semenyo left of the box, he squared dangerously across the area to Weimann who fired wide of an open goal.

It was only from the restart that Preston got any momentum, Archer curling over at the edge of the box. But minutes later an inch perfect sliderule pass from Klose dissected opponents and found Semenyo on the left flank - whose quick instincts put O'Dowda immediately clear on goal. The winger was in acres of space and had time to square to Martin for an easy tap in, only to be whistled back, adjudging him to have slipped offside.

Then a cruel twist, Preston with barely any threat, saw a low drive by Archer from the edge of the box tipped wide by O'Leary but into the path of Riis Jakobsen who was able to fire home. At the other end despite Klose down on halfway with an injury, Massengo chased back a home break to intercept on the edge of the box, DaSilva then breaking himself and putting Semenyo clear through, seemingly tackled in the box but no penalty.

Williams joined for O'Dowda, sadly our least effective player, with the game becoming an increasingly scrappy affair as home players threw themselves to ground on any contact hoping to break up City's relentless rhythm to get a foothold. Most notably with quarter of an hour left Weimann put the irrepressible  Semenyo clear but on turning into the box in front of a defender he tumbled in the area - only for the ref to give the foul against him.

With Williams now controlling midfield City were dominating as much as the first half. A Martin break down the right channel cut the ball back for Pring to eventually run on and win a corner. When the corner was recycled Massengo dropped a shoulder and slipped a ball into the box for Semenyo at the near post who slammed it unerringly through the keeper into roof of the net - in front of away fans, euphoria at a deserved, overdue lead. 

City finished the match absolutely dominant with Williams now pulling the strings - going on an endless run through Preston players, finding quick footed Massengo skipping into the box, and from the half clearance Martin curled just over the top corner. The visitors were now breaking at will as Preston pushed up, Semenyo, Weimann and even Martin all running clear into the channels but not once turning for the corner to run the clock down.

Amazingly City would pay - from their most wasteful break or the lot. Pring went off on a barnstorming run with literally seconds left, he kept on running, got to the box but there was no pass and no shot, and when he was robbed edge of the box Preston broke down their right, swung in a cross and Jakobsen peeled off Vyner and volleyed into the top corner for his second, and a little deserved equaliser from the last kick of the game.

City have made a bad habit this season of throwing away leads, but for those massed up in the steep away stand at Deepdale this was among the most painful and ridiculous. Perhaps the best that City has played since promotion, with Scott and Massengo head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch with energy, closing, quick thinking touches and combinations. A stand out performance for them and for manager Nigel Pearson.

O'Leary 6 Good distribution and a few good parries but worrying now how little he claims crosses

Kalas 8 Comfortable with and without the ball and was everywhere

Klose 8 Always organizing and speaking, won his headers and passing 

Pring 7 Solid as always but should have been smarter in the 95th minute

Massengo 9 Unplayable, incredible engine chased everything broke up play and some great touches

Scott 9 Ran out of a bit of steam but prior to that as complete a midfield performance as I've seen from a City player, for a slight 18 year old he was breaking up play, getting stuck in, producing top class touches to get away from them and setting up attacks

DaSilva 7 Combined well with teammates and notable that most of our threat came down the right his side rather than via the orthodox winger the other side

O'Dowda 5 I don't have an agenda he just doesn't do the things Scott, Massengo, and many others do. Very little to speak about and a terrible finish.

Weimann 6 Horrible miss but bags of energy and often just making a run was key to creating the space others thrived on 

Martin 7 He's a different player to the one at the end of last year, seems to have a new gear and linking up well throughout

Semenyo 8 Constant threat, like Scott the touches on the ball are a class above this level, gets it away from opponents so effortlessly and got in behind them at will

 

Williams 7

Cundy 5

Vyner 5

Great report, I do think the most important player we need to sign now is a winger, not a striker 

 

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, Rossi the Robin said:

Great report, I do think the most important player we need to sign now is a winger, not a striker 

 

Agree, Wing-back / Winger.

[ohhhshauntaylor]

11 hours ago, Olé said:

 

O'Dowda 5 I don't have an agenda he just doesn't do the things Scott, Massengo, and many others do. Very little to speak about and a terrible finish.

 

The last 6 weeks has really highlighted everything I thought about COD. 
 

He’s just not got the fight/drive/commitment we’re seeing from pretty much everyone else. 
 

 

[P'head Red]

1 minute ago, ohhhshauntaylor said:

The last 6 weeks has really highlighted everything I thought about COD. 
 

He’s just not got the fight/drive/commitment we’re seeing from pretty much everyone else. 
 

 

The trouble is, who do we have to play in his position? Do we put Atkinson in at the back when he's fit, and move Pring forward?

[Rebounder]

Nice pictures by the way. 

[The Gasbuster]

10 minutes ago, billywedlock said:

IMHO we are going to batter someone before the season ends. 

 

Bournemouth, please.