Nor from me. I'll be very interested in what our new manager makes of it all though... three matches and only one shot on target.
Still no win there since Dec 79 - what is it about going there that has had this effect on us for nearly 36 years?
Any psychologist will tell you in any field of endeavour... .change your system to suit your talent.... let us remember that before we start picking on players who helped get us promoted...
Truly disappointed with the result. So we haven't won in Preston since 1979, we have a new manager, he made eleven changes, there seems to be no scheme other than 3-2-3-1 or a variant that ends -1 - one hundred and one reasons why we failed. For all the huff and puff we have had one shot on goal in two games and haven't scored in three, which is a terrible return and not good enough. I appreciate the manager/coach, call him what you will, is the guy in charge but surely it's his job to assess when and if things aren't working and then adapt the resources available (staff and systems) to get the best results. We have been spoilt over the last few years with some very capable managers and I include Malky Mackay, Brendon Rodgers and Sean Dyche here, as they managed what they had superbly, so Brendon Rodgers had a few problems when he started. The rapid rise and success we have had in the last three years has been exciting and we knew that should we get to the Premiership things would a) be more difficult and b) be more difficult (intentional to make the point) but the wholesale change, while obviously done to improve our chance of remaining in the Premiership, has to me, been quite alarming. No quarter for the guys who got us there, a new team, the manager gone and a new one installed and what seems to be the biggest problem turning from a system that worked and got us out of the Championship to something that doesn't work. QSF has some fantastic talent but appears so set in playing to a completely differnet system he is willing to discard it. Yes change bits, and I for one welcome the sturdier defence (not Britos and his wild elbows), but if you have an awe inspiring forward line, you use it; you don't muck it up.
Wholesale changes were not necessary - the team (& manager) which finished last season would have been good enough for the prem. Unfortunately Flores is one of these stubborn individuals who has his own philosophy and will stick to it regardless. Forgetting that philosophies are mostly spoiled by the opposition. If he had 5 Lionel Messi's in the team he would probably only play one of them at a time in order to keep true to his playing formation.
Sorry, do not agree with most of this. For a start the forward line that is starting is essentially the forward line that achieved promotion and yet have really struggled in the Prem - so are they good enough? Our defence is now far more solid than last season, so i would argue that changes here have been positive, but no changes up-front have not been positive. Personally I always thought that Deeney would struggle as a lone striker at this level, the defenders in this world are far more physical and faster and he will struggle against them. Also, it's rather tough saying the change of manager was unnecessary, this was rather forced on us, or are you saying the owners should have paid the asking price without a quibble? It's a shame that people are taking a pop at Flores after just 3 games in The Prem (for which we have not lost one) and after losing in this cup - can anyone remember how well we did last season? Where would you play the other Messi's? Centre Half, Goalie?
Sorry wy. but to my eyes they are playing only one system with no plan B & that system is a different one to that which our offensive players are used to. Do we really need to play with one lone striker against the might of Preston ? In reference to money I would have expected that the Pozzo's would have gone to greater lengths to keep Jokanovic than they did, there appeared to be very little time spent on finding a common ground & the whole thing was more or less decided whilst he was still on holiday in Spain. I do not understand a regime which is more generous with players contracts than with a manager who had effectively earned multi millions for the club - Slavisa's face didn't fit for some reason, and this was with a club which needed stability more than anything else. I know that I am still crying over spilled milk in a way, and will support Flores just as I would support any manager (even a goat if it wore our colours) however I think any team managed by Jokanovic, in any league, would have more than 1 shot on target in 2 games.
Both making good points here. Defence is certainly a lot better I think Joka was out and knew it and there is only rumour that it was just or all about the salary. The system... well we virtually played 4.4.2 on Saturday at times. Deeney as the main striker does not work as the system is set up. Last season we got promoted on the back of our goals scored.. I know a lot harder in the prem.. but how come Bournemouth can play a more open game and score 4 away and we cant yet score at home Great squad being built up here...... but we clearly work is needed... and of course is being done...
Rome wasn´t built in a day and we look semi-Italian at the back for a start. Foundations are there, chances must come and be put away. Still, easy away fixture coming up, 3 points and all is rosy again.....
We have been looking solid at the back but going forward we are not looking like putting in a decent final ball. Nyom aside the crossing has been woeful. No end product. One shot on target in three games tells you all we need to know. Either the system doesn't work or the players aren't implementing it. Difficult to say which it is.
