Preston North End away match thread

[Sir Geoff]

11 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

Before half the forum implodes, City aren't a bad team, just one that needs a central goal-scoring striker and a creative midfielder to maximise our good approach play. 

Yes, we fell away in the second half, but you invite pressure when you fail to score and that's 3 games now.

 

Have you actually watched the last 3 league games, plus Blackburn and Huddersfield away. We have looked a very very poor side.

We have a goal scorer. Creativity required from wide areas needed as much as through the middle.

[ray savino]

That second half was very poor. Didn’t have any idea what to do to break them down. We just haven’t got the players that are anywhere near consistent enough. The frontline looked so naive and inexperienced. Okay, they’re decent enough individually on their but together far too light weight. Conway is a good young finisher, but he’s no way a lone striker at this stage of his career. 

After watching Coventry move the ball around (albeit against a 10 man Leicester) to break a team down, we look a mile behind them.

Top ten will be an achievement for us this season. Wouldn’t panic now about signings this window. Assess squad, then spend in summer. We need at least 4 first team starters then. Nowhere near consistent enough. On a good day (Watford, Swansea away, WHU) we look decent. On a bad day we look pretty toothless and clueless, so mid table mediocrity is where we are.  

Call out to Joe Williams. Kept going, need his attitude throughout the team. Probably on good wages still so can see him getting a chance at a decent Championship team with money if we cant keep him at the end of the season.

What’s the betting we go and beat West Ham now!!!

[Br1stolCityBoy]

11 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

Before half the forum implodes, City aren't a bad team, just one that needs a central goal-scoring striker and a creative midfielder to maximise our good approach play. 

Yes, we fell away in the second half, but you invite pressure when you fail to score and that's 3 games now.

 

Yes. But you forgot to mention a decent keeper. What’s he doing on the edge of his box all the time. His fault for the second and should have been lobbed in the first half!

[Out of his pie crust]

It’s all good. We will have glorious cup run this season  starting Tuesday

[ProfitInMyPocket]

Preferred the high press identity under Nige. Even if we weren't the best on the ball and it was scrappy, at least we were going at teams and fighting for every ball. 

Now it's just recycling the ball if "the opportunity" doesn't open up. And we've sacrificed what made us a dangerous team earlier in the season to do so. 

Same old City, so flat against teams who don't leave gaps. Just hasn't felt fun to watch under Manning so far for me personally. Feels like the personality has been sucked out of the team. Trying to be something we're not.

[Son of Fred]

I'm sticking with my gut feeling - Manning will be gone before the year's out.

Like watching paint dry.

Edited January 13 by Son of Fred

[Gazred]

First half we continued to frustrate ourselves when the game's there for the taking.

Second half we were all over rhe shop and tactically a shambles.

Looked jaded as the game went on. We need a couple of First team ready players ASAP.

[old_eastender]

4 minutes ago, Supersonic Robin said:

No, multiple good performances. Much more than can be said for Bell, who has barely had a positive or useful touch of the football for us in months.

With Sykes injured, Mehmeti is currently the best option we have out wide - like it or loathe it. Yes, it's frustrating that he gives the ball away at times, but that's the nature of having a player of his style who tries to make things happen. If it came off every time he tried something, then he'd be playing for Real Madrid. 

The strange agenda that some of our fans appear to have against Mehmeti is frankly laughable.

Agree, at least Mehmeti got involved in the game, even if some of his play was poor. Bell was just not in the game, although not helped by Tanner's negative play.

[bexhill reds]

Just now, Sir Geoff said:

Have you actually watched the last 3 league games, plus Blackburn and Huddersfield away. We have looked a very very poor side.

We have a goal scorer. Creativity required from wide areas needed as much as through the middle.

Agreed, the odd bright spark has hidden the insipid performances. 

[Curr Avon]

Just now, Sir Geoff said:

Have you actually watched the last 3 league games, plus Blackburn and Huddersfield away. We have looked a very very poor side.

We have a goal scorer. Creativity required from wide areas needed as much as through the middle.

Yes, I shop at Specsavers.

We need a striker that can play with his back to goal and an attacking midfielder, and our fortunes may change.

We haven't looked a poor side, just one that keeps missing chances when on top.

[Natchfever]

20 minutes ago, Alan Dicks said:

The bloke is well out of his league in the championship.

Guardiola couldnt have prevented the Max debacle tbf although Manning does so far seem unable to respond to other managers tactical changes.

Hes here for a while so hopefully he grows into it.

[Glen hump]

1 minute ago, Son of Fred said:

I'm sticking with my gut feeling - Manning will be gone before the year's out.

Not a chance, that would be admitting they got it wrong 

[Curr Avon]

Max came out because Dickie and Vyner left a gaping hole for Keane to run into. 

[old_eastender]

Just now, Son of Fred said:

I'm sticking with my gut feeling - Manning will be gone before the year's out.

Can't see that at all.

Do think LM needs to carry the can for today's result after failing to react to the changes PNE made at HT. They were well on top from the restart and I'd say it was obvious we needed to make changes way before the clanger that gave them their first goal, he seemed to have no idea on how to change it, so did nothing until it was too late.

 

[bcfc01]

13 minutes ago, Whitchurch said:

Behaviours 

 

Well, its time they started to behave themselves.

 

Deserved score line for both teams. PNE by far the better team in the 2nd half after we dominated most of the first half (but not really laying a glove on them). 

Their early subs made all the difference, our very late subs had little impact.

PNE's first home game this season without conceding says it all really.

Unfortunately, with a couple of exceptions, that was a typical performance. 

Very disappointing.

 

[stephenkibby.]

14 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

Before half the forum implodes, City aren't a bad team, just one that needs a central goal-scoring striker and a creative midfielder to maximise our good approach play. 

Yes, we fell away in the second half, but you invite pressure when you fail to score and that's 3 games now.

 

You think our two wide players are at the desired standard?

I know both are young but far to lightweight for me and rarely make chances for others.

[Supersonic Robin]

9 minutes ago, j1974 said:

Our front line needs a complete overhaul. 

Bell, Mehmeti and Cornick not good enough. Conway not ready to be a regular starter. 

Wells Aging. 

How much money do we have???? 

 

Think that's harsh on Conway.

He's avergaing a goal every 170 mins this season. Not bad at all, especially for a 21 year old striker. I reckon a number of other Championship teams would be perfectly happy to have him in their starting XI.

[BCFC31]

If this doesn't give our recruitment plans an almighty kick up the ass I don't know what will 3 games 0 goals we Just can't score   people will start saying manning this manning that the guy hasn't got one single player that's his :laugh: we have a sub par squad look at the state of our subs to change the game king and cornick :laugh: bell conway mehmeti not good enough midfield average we are where we are because of the lack of quality its now up to the board to back there man and get some quality in through recruitment 

Edited January 13 by BCFC31

[Natchfever]

1 minute ago, Curr Avon said:

Max came out because Dickie and Vyner left a gaping hole for Keane to run into. 

Then he should have claimed it.

[marmite]

9 minutes ago, Frenchay Red said:

He's down to be the guest speaker at Thursday's Senior Red!

I bet he doesn't turn up, just like his team didn't today.

[Robbored]

2 hours ago, 22A said:

Preston are something of a bogey team for us. I vaguely remember winning at Deepdale some years ago but struggle to remember the last time we beat them at AG.

Im sure someone on here will know.

[bearded_red]

4 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

 

We haven't looked a poor side, just one that keeps missing chances when on top.

An Expected Goals in the last three games of 0.8, 0.4 and 0.8. 
 

We play boring football and barely create anything, nothing to do with missing chances. Every player at every club misses chances. Erling Haaland misses chances. 
 

Maybe one day we’ll successfully bore the opposition into submission.

[Peter1450]

22 minutes ago, Super said:

I don't know I just remember rubbish under Pearson as well. Certainly very poor today.

Exactly, but the owners have alienated a great deal of the supporters by making an unnecessary change ………… for continued rubbish.

[Supersonic Robin]

9 minutes ago, bexhill reds said:

It’s no agenda, he’s just not a Championship player, arguably yet, but not now. You might as well replace him with Yeboah, at least he’d scare people with pace, rather than a couple of step overs and the predictable cut inside.

Personally, don't agree. He's already proven that he's too good to be playing in League 1. He definitely has to improve his decision making, but in terms of pure technical ability it's clear that he's comfortably at a Championship level.

Yeboah is miles behind Mehmeti.

 

[Ivorguy]

19 minutes ago, Laner said:

To add an appearance to their season's stats. Sometimes contracts and/or bonuses can be tied to appearances. 

Oh, Good Lord, save us from such nonsense 

[cellist]

3 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Preston are something of a bogey team for us. I vaguely remember winning at Deepdale some years ago but struggle to remember the last time we beat them at AG.

Im sure someone on here will know.

Did the double over them last season

[REDOXO]

9 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

Max came out because Dickie and Vyner left a gaping hole for Keane to run into. 

Exactly. We were done by a punt and a  knock down. OLeary had two choices both of them crap ones!

However the way Mr Manning is intent on playing we are as predictable as Owers says. You said it yourself we don’t play well when we have the majority of possession so why is it that is the way we play?

Edited January 13 by REDOXO

[Alan Dicks]

Here is the reality of it.

A wet behind the ears manager, managing a squad who are a little lower than average.

Several ageing players who are top earners.

No real saleable assets.

No real funds to buy.

No one coming up through the academy at the moment.

Yet Nige was crap and we should be a top 6 side, according to the very knowledgeable Lansdowns.

Thankfully we probably have enough points to stay in this league.

 

 

[Sir Geoff]

7 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

Yes, I shop at Specsavers.

We need a striker that can play with his back to goal and an attacking midfielder, and our fortunes may change.

We haven't looked a poor side, just one that keeps missing chances when on top.

What chances ? We haven't looked like scoring for the last 3 games.

Mehmeti or Knight can play AM why have they not been utilised there. Sorry but our deficiencies are out wide. Tommy will score goals with the right service. 

What is this obsession of yours and Ians of a back to goal CF ?

[Rossi the Robin]

How many managers jobs have we saved this season? Lowe today, Rooney temporarily, Wagner and the Stoke manager? And that’s without looking