Stat Attack … Preston last lost to Leeds on 21 Jan During their unbeaten run they have scored 13 goals, only one of them in the 2nd half if we stop them scoring first half we’ll win this
I say meandering (not the best word probably) as he also now moves up there when he’s not actually carrying and acts as a fulcrum to our short passing He’s got a few assists to assists for goals recently
I don’t think Manning would have changed that result. We need Downes to cover to allow Jack to get forward
Pissed off with blame culture. It has become a feature of life thanks to those dreadful reality TV programmes where somebody has to be the fall guy.
Hoping that we have learned how to combat a high, quick press (if PNE bring that tonight). For the first 10 minutes or so, against Hull, we launched a few long balls and pressed them, causing a few problems and the chance to go ahead, when Rothwell missed a decent chance. Not sure how competent PNE are at moving the ball around, at the back, but I wouldn’t mind seeing us do that a few times, if we are struggling to play out from the back. If they play with 3 CBs that might reduce the space for Brooks to feed the ball between them for a runner from midfield, something he is excellent at doing. I can envisage us being forced to play down the flanks and rely on hitting hopeful crosses for our small forwards to get on the end of. Not looking forward to this game as I can see it being a struggle. Prove me wrong Saints
No question; got to! Can see it being a struggle but we tend to surprise so who knows what tonight will bring. No draw tho Saints please.
My point wasn't so much that Manning is so good going forward, that had he played we would have definitely won thanks to him cutting through the Milwall defence. It's that it is so easy to defend against a CB when they have to play full back. You know there is no threat of them taking it down the wing and that they don't have the pace to do that even if they wanted. Similarly, there is no threat of an overlapping run from the CB, so you don't get opposition players dragged out of position to deal with that. Having a CB at full back takes balance out of the team and makes us much easier to defend against. We have a much better shape with Manning in the team and it suits our style of play to have full backs that contribute going forward. Granted, it is a shame he can't defend!
Do not allow yourself to be concerned by last night's results. These were all anticipated. It's about the journey not the destination.
There is a big fire that I can see from my office window coming from the direction of St.Marys! https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24166608.black-smoke-near-st-marys-stadium-southampton/