[Archived] Preston

[arbitro]

Poor defending for their goal but that aside we looked pretty solid and I believe once Lambert has had more time to work with them we will become hard to beat. Being hard to beat is, I believe the key to success in this league. After 35 seconds Lambert was animated on the edge of the technical area and he was there pretty much for the whole of the game. Bringing Guthrie on when we were under the cost was sensible as at that stage we were being overrun in midfield so he put an extra man in there and made a couple of positional changes.

Winning is the name of the game and in Lambert I honestly believe we have a man who knows how to do just that.

[Mr. E]

Highlights from the game http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/10074154/hull-city-stay-top-and-derby-county-close-on-sky-bet-championship-leaders#ooid=JwcDYxeTodYHjlU-o6a-G1fsnIK2q-FZ

[LewisF]

Mike Dean was so so so bad. And their supporters really are a sour bunch.

[Cherry Blue]

Taylor was good. Listened to Lambert's instructions on the line and filled in where needed. Seem to land on his upper back but fortunately no damage. Two occasions when a little more composure in front of goal could have produced more goals. Not saying we can't make playoffs but we need more goals if we are to progress up the league.

Rovers Fans were a credit to club and I like seeing players acknowledge this at the end. Told we would be kept behind for ten minutes but it never happened and according to a copper on was out it never does.

[LewisF]

Taylor was great when he came on, he really does give it his all when he plays.

[ABBEY]

A one post from me

Get in ..what a win .. Christmas is now looking good , nobber in family will be silent , nobbers in office will be getting Monday .. Can't believe anyone thought we played bad today I thought we were magnifinent to a man... Mike Dan awful.. Garner what a little ugly turd he is ... Have the nobbers been back ?

Just as a side note .. All this crap about a new era is bull it will only be a new era when the venkyscum go .

Brilliant appointment yes but new era no .. Venkys out ⚡️

Abbey prediction ... Akpan will score the winning penalty after extra time at Wembley when we go up against burnley .. Outta here again ...ps did you go today TJ ?

Taylor was great when he came on, he really does give it his all when he plays.

man of the match for me

[Leonard Venkhater]

A one post from me

Get in ..what a win .. Christmas is now looking good , nobber in family will be silent , nobbers in office will be getting Monday .. Can't believe anyone thought we played bad today I thought we were magnifinent to a man... Mike Dan awful.. Garner what a little ugly turd he is ... Have the nobbers been back ?

Just as a side note .. All this crap about a new era is bull it will only be a new era when the venkyscum go .

Brilliant appointment yes but new era no .. Venkys out ⚡️

Abbey prediction ... Akpan will score the winning penalty after extra time at Wembley when we go up against burnley .. Outta here again ...ps did you go today TJ ?

man of the match for me

Good to see you back.

So sorry I didn't go with my two lads. Fans sounded awesome today...

[LewisF]

Abbey prediction ... Akpan will score the winning penalty after extra time at Wembley when we go up against burnley

Haha Lowe or Brown would be even better but beggers can't be choosers

[Cherry Blue]

Good to see you back.

So sorry I didn't go with my two lads. Fans sounded awesome today...

Good to hear fans sounded awesome........lets do it at Ewood!

[Neal]

I went.

Very scrappy game. Looked like a team unsure of how to play, which is to be expected at this point.

Duffy is such a strange player, at times wants me to pull my hair out but in the last 15 was an absolute warrior.

Akpan sometimes looks a player then all of a sudden looks the polar opposite.

Marsh worked bloody hard, had a good game.

Olsson was very solid I thought.

Koita is short of match fitness of course but you can just tell that he will be an influential player for us when fully fit.

Fair play to Taylor, covered ground and did an excellent job.

Hanley was partly at fault for the goal, really needs to cut out such mistakes... Apart from that he was solid, loved when Garners boot came off after fouling Duffy, he walked over and kicked it across the pitch, then as he was putting it back on stood over him and had 'friendly' word.

How Preston only had 1 sent off is beyond me, right set of dirty gits. Joe Garner is a right piece of work... Which we all knew, his diving and elbowing is all he has really. Was fortunate we gifted him that opportunity because he didn't look like scoring as he hasn't all season.

Poor game, not much in it, we had the better chances and could/should have had more if we'd made more of a few 2v1 opportunities involving Conway and Guthrie.

Loved how Lambert made all the players come over to celebrate with the fans and celebrated with us himself. Enjoyed seeing a manager with passion and ideas on the touch line, gave loads of information and tactics to the team... Not just meaningless encouragement. Instant hit, fans loved him, early days so let's stay level headed and keep realistic expectations.

Their fans didn't really turn up at all and they had a small pocket of fans who were disturbing the minutes silence... I said in a previous post and pretty much nailed it... A bunch of 8 stone wet through scally's who saved up enough dole money for a Stone Island top... Well ard.

PLBWA!

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I was at the game.

I have to agree that sometimes, possibly often, a successful team has to be able win ugly, or win despite playing badly.

I take no pleasure in saying that our overall passing game and ball retention was possibly worse than under GB. After a nondescript first half in which we scored a scrappy goal set up by a nice piece of skill and accurate, powerful shot from Evans, I thought Lambert would send them out with stinging ears and renewed determination to retain and pass the ball better.

From the 1st 30 seconds of the second half however, our passing and ball retention was even worse. This was really frustrating although we were still enjoying the atmosphere which became even more vibrant when Taylor's brilliant close control and intelligence resulted in the penalty which was clinically converted by Jordan. We celebrated as if we were at t'Turf, and were then even giving it the Ole's as we presumed we were home and dry.

Our nervousness on the ball and continued poor short (and long) passing ensured that we had to endure a nail-biting last 20. Preston controlled the game, although we had a number of swift breakaways (more when Koita replaced Rhodes) which should have put the game to bed.

Lambert will have hopefully seen what needs to be worked on and where we need to improve. We will have to keep the ball better against an efficient Wednesday side but I would have thought our management duo would have been able to make tactical or personnel changes today to regain control of a game that nearly slipped away in a backs to the wall last half hour (I know, early days....).

We kept North End to half chances and were relatively commanding in the air. Conway looked lively (although Marshall was quiet). There was little or no full back overlapping, possibly understandable in a managers 1st game.

Akpan showed some nice touches and was strong at times but the game often passed him, Evans, and Guthrie by.

Support was good and there seemed to be a marked desire of the lads to celebrate right in front of us for the second goal and at the end.

Great to get 3 points with a below-par performance and look forward to kicking on next Saturday. A win will take us within 4 points of Wednesday.

COYB.

Passing and ball retention has been a failing for a long while now. I haven't seen anything of todays game but when I have seen us play previously it's been pretty poor. 1) Not enough movement off the ball throughout the team to give the guy in possession enough options. 2) Not enough tempo in our play, we receive the ball standing still too often. A player on the move will nearly always come out on top in a challenge against a player stood still. 3 ) We have a bad habit of when a player is in possession and can't easily see a passing option he'll pass the ball on to a player who's in a worse position instead of making something happen.

I'm sure Lambert's no mug and he'll be working on these issues. Get us really fit and the running off the ball should improve.

[AJW]

Still waiting to hear from somebody who was at the game. I'm convinced Henley is a weak link for us and needs replacing as soon as possible.

i was at the game and i agree , i genuinely believe he has confidence issues its almost as if he needs to put a good tackle/cross or whatever early in a game just to get going once that happens he's fine i think he's got something as a player and could make a very good full back , maybe its more a mental thing with him having said that he would be the first player i'd change come January

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

i was at the game and i agree , i genuinely believe he has confidence issues its almost as if he needs to put a good tackle/cross or whatever early in a game just to get going once that happens he's fine i think he's got something as a player and could make a very good full back , maybe its more a mental thing with him having said that he would be the first player i'd change come January

Every player always looks to get a good contact in as early possible. Either a pass, tackle, shot etc. An good save if you're in goal. The top pros learn to disregard the time when this hasn't happened. Henley's young but he needs to sort this aspect of his game. He's got the ability.

[LDRover]

I think he's got something about him but he desperately needs to work on his upper body strength as he's too easily bullied.

[Ianrally]

Passing and ball retention has been a failing for a long while now. I haven't seen anything of todays game but when I have seen us play previously it's been pretty poor. 1) Not enough movement off the ball throughout the team to give the guy in possession enough options. 2) Not enough tempo in our play, we receive the ball standing still too often. A player on the move will nearly always come out on top in a challenge against a player stood still. 3 ) We have a bad habit of when a player is in possession and can't easily see a passing option he'll pass the ball on to a player who's in a worse position instead of making something happen.

I'm sure Lambert's no mug and he'll be working on these issues. Get us really fit and the running off the ball should improve.

For someone who wasn't at the game, that is a very fair and accurate summation of the events.

I thought that at least in the first half, North End had dominance of the midfield. Akan just doesn't cut it for me, gave the ball away far too often.

Why oh why do we continually fire long balls down the middle to a man who never wins it in the air, nor can out sprint the defenders. This is not a criticism of Rhodes, the build up play is not what suits him. That is why I think Gestede is such a hugh loss, Rhodes needs somebody up front with him, how the lad has scored so many goals is a testament to him, but how many more would he get playing in a system that would provide him with far more opportunities.

I am sure Lambert will see the failings and sort it out given time. Great to see his, and Rob Kelly's, animation from the touch line throughout the game.

Fans were brilliant. A great atmosphere.

[Neal]

Said this so many times i've lost count... Adam Henley is a boy in a mans league. All Preston did was hammer it into that corner and bully him out of it again and again, they weren't even particularly picking out a pass, just hitting that area knowing full well he couldn't hack it... It seemed Grayson had done his homework and picked him out as a week link. I've also said before that he's been spoon-fed a professional first team contract without actually going out on loan to prove his worth. I'd like to see him have a good tough old season at a promotion challenging league 1 side to see if he sinks or swims in the hope it will toughen him up. To be fair to him, he did do a little better in the second half and it seemed Lambert had a word and told him to give himself some room, keep the their winger in front of him... Once he did that he did make some good interceptions and turned defence into attack. He's got a lot to learn but unfortunately we can't afford him to learn in our first 11 in my opinion.

[Ewooduknow]

Said this so many times i've lost count... Adam Henley is a boy in a mans league. All Preston did was hammer it into that corner and bully him out of it again and again, they weren't even particularly picking out a pass, just hitting that area knowing full well he couldn't hack it... It seemed Grayson had done his homework and picked him out as a week link. I've also said before that he's been spoon-fed a professional first team contract without actually going out on loan to prove his worth. I'd like to see him have a good tough old season at a promotion challenging league 1 side to see if he sinks or swims in the hope it will toughen him up. To be fair to him, he did do a little better in the second half and it seemed Lambert had a word and told him to give himself some room, keep the their winger in front of him... Once he did that he did make some good interceptions and turned defence into attack. He's got a lot to learn but unfortunately we can't afford him to learn in our first 11 in my opinion.

That's pretty much my reading of the situation, although I don't class him as a youngster anymore. He's had enough experience with the first team now and for me doesn't cut it. As someone who loves to see us produce our own players, that doesn't give me any pleasure to say.

[yoda]

I have been getting told for a long while that we have not been fit enough by an expert in the field, training regime all wrong, not enough time building stamina etc.

PL will be on the case for sure

Winning ugly ! how long is it since we could say that ?

Can't do better than win your 1st game of a new regime.

Onward and upward, not worried in the slightest about the dingles anymore.

The fans today were back to the best and carried the players on to the of the game

SPLENDID DAY ALL ROUND,

Except for Souey being laid up

[AJW]

Every player always looks to get a good contact in as early possible. Either a pass, tackle, shot etc. An good save if you're in goal. The top pros learn to disregard the time when this hagsn't happened. Henley's young but he needs to sort this aspect of his game. He's got the ability.

Glenn Hoddle would send him to Auntie Eileen wouldn't he

[tomphil]

Said this so many times i've lost count... Adam Henley is a boy in a mans league. All Preston did was hammer it into that corner and bully him out of it again and again, they weren't even particularly picking out a pass, just hitting that area knowing full well he couldn't hack it... It seemed Grayson had done his homework and picked him out as a week link. I've also said before that he's been spoon-fed a professional first team contract without actually going out on loan to prove his worth. I'd like to see him have a good tough old season at a promotion challenging league 1 side to see if he sinks or swims in the hope it will toughen him up. To be fair to him, he did do a little better in the second half and it seemed Lambert had a word and told him to give himself some room, keep the their winger in front of him... Once he did that he did make some good interceptions and turned defence into attack. He's got a lot to learn but unfortunately we can't afford him to learn in our first 11 in my opinion.

The right back situation proving a bit of a weak link again and hopefully Lambert will see fit to address this finally. Something that could and should have been strengthened long ago but now we have a manager who will hopefully put building a solid team first and foremost I'd hope he'll loan in a decent RB.

[G Somerset Rover]

Henley usually performs well against the small, pacey widemen. See evidence of this through his performances against Sterling last season. When he comes up against stronger, and more direct opponents, he really struggles and I'm amazed that our former coaching team(s) haven't had him in the gym more.

Lambert is no fool, so I'm sure we'll see some competition for him in the New Year.

[T J Hooker]

A one post from me

Get in ..what a win .. Christmas is now looking good , nobber in family will be silent , nobbers in office will be getting Monday .. Can't believe anyone thought we played bad today I thought we were magnifinent to a man... Mike Dan awful.. Garner what a little ugly turd he is ... Have the nobbers been back ?

Just as a side note .. All this crap about a new era is bull it will only be a new era when the venkyscum go .

Brilliant appointment yes but new era no .. Venkys out ⚡️

Abbey prediction ... Akpan will score the winning penalty after extra time at Wembley when we go up against burnley .. Outta here again ...ps did you go today TJ ?

man of the match for me

glad you enjoyed the game....

I've actually been laid up for the last couple of days after slipping a disk, nice to know you're concerned though xx

I'm glad we've remembered how to win ugly and create our own luck, long may it continue.

I Hope Souness pulls through fine.

and yet more confirmation today of what a cretin Leon Best is(got sent off in his debut game for Rotherham for blatantly elbowing a player in the face bracking his nose)

[Ricky]

Hope the back is ok TJ. Spent the day in hospital with my brother who has broken his back. He had a fall off scaffolding 2 weeks ago but they missed the break on the initial x Ray

[tomphil]

Henley usually performs well against the small, pacey widemen. See evidence of this through his performances against Sterling last season. When he comes up against stronger, and more direct opponents, he really struggles and I'm amazed that our former coaching team(s) haven't had him in the gym more.

Lambert is no fool, so I'm sure we'll see some competition for him in the New Year.

Good point and the thing here is in this div it's more likely to be the latter especially away from home. A season playing regularly in the lower leagues would have done him good, may still do although we prob can't go down that route now. Still think he can make an adequate right back at this level but he needs to shape up a bit.

[Amo]

I get the feeling that some people were expecting a better all-round performance, as if we were going to start pinging the ball around like Barcelona. It was a scrappy local derby against a dogged Preston side and the manager's only been in charge less than a week. It's going to take at least until the summer before Lambert can fully stamp his authority on this group of players and get them playing how he wants them to play. From the sounds of it, the intensity levels were there and we've managed to win ugly, a trait that eluded us under the last manager.