[Archived] Preston - 23 July

[blueboy3333]

You've had all summer and the season now starts in just under two weeks time to suggest you might want an extention till the end of August is unacceptable.

haha, you really are mental...or a dingle. Lots of teams will be signing players right up to the deadline.

[Rover_Shaun]

Results mean nothing. Its the sign that the team can gel as a unit that we all want to see

[Tardyrover]

Have we won yet?

[JAL]

No-one's bickering. We're disagreeing about something and debating the issue.

We still have time to rectify it this Summer.

Whether we will or not is a completely different discussion.

What was it you who previously posted Stuart, we want to see positive actions not hear them. A phrase that I totally agree with.

haha, you really are mental...or a dingle. Lots of teams will be signing players right up to the deadline.

Good ! so let us start from a position of strength and get a head start in this league.

Or will it be playing catch up from september 2nd onwards.

[SoldierMo]

Do you not realise theres still a few weeks till season starts

[Blue Cabbage]

Finished 1-1

[blueboy3333]

apparently Kevin Davies got their goal.

[The Rover of Finland]

apparently Kevin Davies got their goal.

Did it cost for £7M?

[Rover_Shaun]

Season starts in 11 full days.

5 games before we limp to the end of transfer window. 15 points

[Stuart]

What was it you previously posted Stuart, we want to see positive actions not hear them. A phrase that I totally agree with.

I still think that.

And I'm still waiting.

But I'll wait til the end of the loan window.

[Rover_Shaun]

I still think that.

And I'm still waiting.

But I'll wait til the end of the loan window.

Is that the same time? Saving grace could be the 2 week break in september

[RussP]

I guess I will be the minority but I am more encouraged after tonight. I've seen all 4 pre season matches in the UK & have seen improvement & more cohesion with each performance. Admittedly, defence still looks shaky but thought we created a bit more tonight & there was much more movement in attacking positions. Lots to work on but we're steadily improving.

Judge was the big positive for me & Marrow again had a good game. King was lively again.

The results may not suggest improvement but, to my eyes, we are getting better. Is it enough to challenge this season? Absolutely not but I'm not as worried as I was & there seems to be a togetherness about the team that was sadly lacking last season.

Roll on Saturday.

[tomphil]

I guess I will be the minority but I am more encouraged after tonight. I've seen all 4 pre season matches in the UK & have seen improvement & more cohesion with each performance. Admittedly, defence still looks shaky but thought we created a bit more tonight & there was much more movement in attacking positions. Lots to work on but we're steadily improving.

Judge was the big positive for me & Marrow again had a good game. King was lively again.

The results may not suggest improvement but, to my eyes, we are getting better. Is it enough to challenge this season? Absolutely not but I'm not as worried as I was & there seems to be a togetherness about the team that was sadly lacking last season.

Roll on Saturday.

Who, if anyone, was at fault for Davies goal after 5 mins ?

[adsfortheblues]

Who, if anyone, was at fault for Davies goal after 5 mins ?

Killgallon would be my guess, just for the simple fact he's @#/?, but don't say that out loud on here, everyone has to be positive and pretend all the new recruits are great.

[RussP]

Who, if anyone, was at fault for Davies goal after 5 mins ?

I'd say Dann. Davies bullied Dann, got in front of him & stooped low to head home.

Saying that, it was never a corner as Marrow was fouled when heading the ball out.

[T.J.Newton]

Killgallon would be my guess, just for the simple fact he's @#/?, but don't say that out loud on here, everyone has to be positive and pretend all the new recruits are great.

I don't believe anybody thinks Killgallons going to be great but it is beyond cynical to say he's "@#/?" before he's even played a competitive game for us(Dann on the other hand....)

This Songo'o character(scored a couple today) seems to have been 1 of our stand out payers in the pre-season so far, I think he'll be ours as soon as Givets gone(though I can see that saga dragging on further)

[tomphil]

I'd say Dann. Davies bullied Dann, got in front of him & stooped low to head home.

Saying that, it was never a corner as Marrow was fouled when heading the ball out.

That's why i asked first before i offered any names lol No suprise at all if it was Dann being beasted again by a centre forward. Good to hear the team being a bit sharper and more cohesive as thats they way it should be at this stage in friendlies, a gradual build up and good that we seem to battle back from being behind. The thing that worries me greatly in the same people making the same mistakes and us letting in early goals. There is no need for the centre halves to be shaky. If they start the season leaking soft goals because of Danns dawdling like the first half of last season it's going to be a struggle again.

[T.J.Newton]

Is Dann still captain(I shudder at the thought!!)

[Baz]

To be fair Davies has bullied many centre halves in his time.

Be interested to hear from those who went, their opinions on the new players, the set up of the team, and if we looked like we had a game plan or creativity.

[Roost]

That's why i asked first before i offered any names lol No suprise at all if it was Dann being beasted again by a centre forward. Good to hear the team being a bit sharper and more cohesive as thats they way it should be at this stage in friendlies, a gradual build up and good that we seem to battle back from being behind. The thing that worries me greatly in the same people making the same mistakes and us letting in early goals. There is no need for the centre halves to be shaky. If they start the season leaking soft goals because of Danns dawdling like the first half of last season it's going to be a struggle again.

Dann was a passenger in too many games last season, and for a big lad is bullied easily. Exactly what you don't want out of a centre half. Davies has always been a handful (or a double handful when he played for us) but isn't a world beater. If Dann can't deal with him, he can't deal with most of the Championship strikers.

[West Yorks Rover]

I don't believe anybody thinks Killgallons going to be great but it is beyond cynical to say he's "@#/?" before he's even played a competitive game for us(Dann on the other hand....)

This Songo'o character(scored a couple today) seems to have been 1 of our stand out payers in the pre-season so far, I think he'll be ours as soon as Givets gone(though I can see that saga dragging on further)

He certainly seems be trying to impress if he scored 2 goals as a defender, did he score the other day

as well, or have I got that wrong ? Just remembered he was the only player to play a full game, knew there was something.

[J*B]

I'd look to sign former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, who is available on a free. I think he could be the missing creative link in our midfield.

[blueboy3333]

http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/national-football/pne-1-blackburn-rovers-1-full-time-1-5884068

Seems it was Hanley marking Davies. We've been shyte at defending set-pieces for far loo long.

Quite an encouraging report from a Rovers perspective, considering it's from the Preston paper. Apologies in advance if this comes across in any way positive

[RussP]

To be fair Davies has bullied many centre halves in his time.

Be interested to hear from those who went, their opinions on the new players, the set up of the team, and if we looked like we had a game plan or creativity.

A better performance & more movement going forward with the wingers cutting inside & more interchange which kept Preston guessing at times. That said, still sadly lacking in the centre of the park although Marrow is getting better and defence still shaky.

Kean - one good save, couldn't be faulted for goal. Did ok.

Kane - better defensively tonight but still not to last season's standards. Continues to get forward well & will be a key player this season. 2 good efforts on goal from marauding runs, one resulting in an assist for the goal.

Dann - shaky & at fault for the goal, allowing Davies to outmuscle him. Not sure he's as bad as others make out but certain not worth the £6m-odd we paid for him.

Hanley - strong & a better game tonight. Improving all pre season, will be a key asset & probably his best game so far although plenty of room for improvement.

Kilgallon - I accept the criticism of him on here but he's out of position. Tries to get forward but you can tell he's a better centre half. Does give us options in the air and, currently, is the best defensive option at left back. That sums up though what a problem position it is for us.

Marrow - a big strong lad who looks a decent midfielder. Made a few forward runs and, when he did, looked a threat. However, still too defensive & can't see him weighing in with any goals. Much better option than Lowe.

Lowe - I've defended him for too long. Just too negative & work rate alone doesn't make a footballer. Will run all day but that's it. A passenger for much of the game.

Judge - the tentative Alan Judge didn't play tonight, the attack minded, creative Judge did. Cut in from wide positions all night, looked dangerous, linked the play & went close on a couple of occasions. Set piece delivery was excellent & I'm expecting us to be more potent from corners & free kicks this term.

King - in summary, lively but final product leaves a lot to be desired. Putting in the effort, always capable of beating a man but can't finish. Would like him to close down the full back quicker as we looked good when pressing high up the pitch.

Campbell - looked sharp but drifted in & out of the game. Went close with one before finishing his next chance, a very composed finish too. Injured on the stroke of half time.

Rhodes - is getting sharper & continues to make the runs. Close with a header & hit the post from a King pull back. Not scored yet in pre season but that's not a problem as we all know he scores when he wants (saving them for the real stuff!)

Subs:

Taylor - terrific signing in my eyes. Always on the move, works hard, positive, busy & decent in the air. Still think he'll be even better in the centre of the park.

O'Sullivan / Payne - didn't get too long to impress but did ok when coming on although system changed isolating Rhodes which meant they spent half their time chasing & hassling the opposition as we couldn't keep hold of the ball

Maybe I'm more optimistic than I should be as we were far from perfect but I can see improvement. Let's build on it on Saturday.

[wolfie]

Who, if anyone, was at fault for Davies goal after 5 mins ?

Ah, the blame culture. Are you going to sue him for ruining your coupon?