As I said earlier he's a good player and will become a better one. The fact remains that we were slow to move the ball, looked lethargic and playing too deep with him on the pitch. We were losing and hadn't scored after an hour but scored two when he was replaced. I know Pritchard isn't too popular, with some, but he made an immediate impact and looked more threatening. Neil and Ekwah together doesn't work for me and I'm not sure what the answer is.
The clock is ticking and getting louder. Stewart is either not interested in staying or stringing the club along to force their hand imo. We've become a different club now and I hope we don't allow the lunatics to take over the asylum as was usually the case in the past. Stewart is playing games when he should concentrate on playing the game.
The two goals that Watford scored were by big tall strong players winning headers in our penalty area... our 3 big tall strong defensive players Batth, Ballard and Alese are all injured. It had naff all to do with midfield players.
Yep. He's learning on the job no doubt. I like Pritchard and he made a difference, but yesterday, though I like him very much , I thought Dan Neill might have made way earlier. But all stuff for the manager, who gets much more right than wrong.
Well if it's a matter of asking the club to break the wage structure, he will definitely not be signing, and it's not far off time for the club to assume this.
I'm well aware of that but I believe we were playing way too deep and allowing Watford to get upfield too much. Defence starts with the midfield, even further upfield in some formations.
Over a season most things equal themselves out luck or bad luck so we have to go to Preston and try to eke out a win , beginning of the season we were one of the favourites to be relegated and still have a shot at the playoffs is a fantastic achievement . Hopefully Lady Luck is smiling on us and results go our way and in the lottery of the playoffs anything can happen - another trip to Wembley would be lovely !
I forgot that sitting in the concourse gives you a better view of how the match is set up. Most of the match from my perspective, especially the second half, was concentrated in the middle of the park. At one point both sides were either side of the centre circle, it was that condensed. Watford had 2 or 3 men on Clarke which nullified his impact in the game and Watford doubled up on Roberts. Amad looked out of sorts playing in the middle and came far too deep at times for the ball and when we did manage to break away from the wings there wasn't anyone really in the box to receive the ball. Hands up, Watford did a number on us especially when they went 1 nil up. We were far too slow moving the ball to pull them out of position and unlike West Brom's staff they looked like they had actually watched how we played and set out to counteract that
I posted this at half time and was surprised when Ekwah came back out. I'd have been just as happy if it had been Neil ... ... but some people can't take any criticism of him either.
I agree mate. I think they can learn to play together, like Neil and Michut have, but at the moment they dont have that understanding. Having said that I wouldnt have moaned had Neil been subbed instead yesterday as I didnt think he was massively effective. I suspect Mowbray went with Ekwah not Michut for the size factor, but at this stage Ekwah hasnt got used to that ****ehousing at corners that stops players getting a run on you. U23s dont teach you that, but it will come for him, he can play. Michut in next week alongside Neil for me. That lad is a serious player and they dovetail well. I would be tempted to get Pritch in as well because he has an impact. Maybe play him as a so called false 9 with Gelhardt in reserve for the last 30.
It's a massively difficult selection for Preston. Yes I'd play Pritchard with Gelhardt but then you'd likely have to leave out Roberts because Amad, despite yesterday, has to start. If ever there was a 'must win' it's this one and Preston have nothing to lose. Watford really disappointed me yesterday. There was no need for them to niggle and time waste when their fans had travelled to be entertained. The way they strung out substitutions was needless and shameless. I'm hoping Preston will want to end their season by actually playing football in front of a big home crowd. I wouldn't mind losing in a great game of football ... ... I just don't want us to see us lose to diving, cheating and time wasting. Too many teams, in this league, are sad and embarrassing.
Undone from corners. Lacking Ballard, Alese, Stewart or Batth who may well have been able to head them away. We deal with what we have. Wilder-ball was dull mind, they weren't even much of a threat on the counter. Thankfully we kept going and its a wonderful strike from Roberts to get us the point.
It's a must win game, rather than a must score X amount of goals. 1-0 will do us fine. Think we have to pick our best team, even if that means taking a risk with Ballard. The front 4 is the big question though - Gelhardt is the obvious one to drop out IMHO. Pritch changed the game when he came on and you can't drop Amad, Roberts or Clarke Assuming DB can play I'd go: Patterson Hume Ballard O'Nien Cirkin Neil Ekwah Roberts Amad Clarke Pritchard Harsh, very harsh on Gooch given the last ew games but you play your best available XI and right now, he's not in it
Huge call to drop Neil mate. 44 games played this season is unreal in his position. Thought he was off it yesterday but dropping an ever present, along with Patto and Clarke, would be a huge risk IMO. He has helped get us there, I would trust him again.
Big call to drop Neil. He's had to curb his natural instincts to play the deeper and more mature role since Evans did his knee.
