Sullivan 6 - could have done better for the second goal but was overall not bad Francis 1 - I sympathise with Chris Powell that he couldn't off load him over the summer but why play him. He is demotivated and managed three attempts to pass the ball into the centre for the PNE goal. It could be that he was having the worst mare of his life but it will have contributed to a sleepless one for the management team. Can't remember him having one good touch. Doherty 5 - agreed he is better than usual and showed some appetite. I don't think his directional heading has improved but the distance achieved was good. Cort 6 - very solid and good in the air. I struggle to understand why he didn't cover RB when Francis failed and Mambo came on Evina 6.5 - Very pacey and creative worked well with Bover. I'd definately have him over Wiggins at LB. Green 5 - I hope it was just the after effects of his virus but he didn't play well and his corners were a complete waste of a technical advantage. Pritchard 5 - played better than he did when he came on against Exeter. His agility was good but was to easily muscled off the ball. Managed to win some balls by agility however Hughes 4 - some good passes but too anonymous and his positional play didn't do us any favours. Bover 6.5 - thought he was good in a poor side always looked dangerous when he had the ball and was involved in virtually every good bit of play we had. Always wanted the ball linked up with Evina and had his first half strike been on target it could have been a different game Benson 5 - a few good touches and a more than a few bad ones, didnt get enough decent service and didn't actually expend the effort. Overall was pleased to see him subbed but still believe with motivation he has something to offer. Euell 5 - showing his legs aren't what they were and was caught off side trying to make a difference. Reckon he is good for the last fifteen to twenty minutes as an impact player. SUBS: Mambo 5 -played out of position and dissappointed me from previous sightings. Reckon he was played on the RB position for his youth and speed but overplayed the ball and didn't use his speed Wagstaff 7 Playing inside was our best player when he got the ball and showed that the first team against PNE will be a very different proposition Popo - not certain he got to touch the ball and looked diminutive against the PNE squad Overall the performance from a second string against a pretty strong PNE squad was a reality check for us. Lets hope that CP learns something on the strength of his squad from this. I would like to see Bover and Evina at least on the bench on Saturday since they have the skills to add to the first team. Cort certainly will justify a position on the bench. Not sure that Green is fit enough to play but if he does would like to see Waggy inside with BWP.
Not suggesting that it influenced the game in any way whatsoever but did anyone else notice the banter between the Preston bench and the officials? In the warm up the referee even went over to the Preston assistant manager and shook his hand. There also seemed a constant conversation with the fourth official. Obviously the officials were star struck by having tango man in their presence.
I thought Evina and Cort looked good and Wagstaff looked sharp up front. Other than that it was pretty poor. I am not convinced by Euell I am afraid, I think last night emphasised how much we will rely on BWP this season! Also good banter in the north stand. Inbetweeners in the front!
I was verybexcited to see the 2nd 11 again, seems it was a one off. beyond the obvious, Hughes was awful, he made the odd simple pass and touch in space, but broke nothing up, provided non cover and didn't allow Pritchard into the game, we lost the midfield, which meant the wings became useless. Sullivan, I said so much about Elliots detractors, but the one job Sullivan could try and do was distribution and it was terrible, flapped at his options, didn't actually give to any and then punted aimlessly towards Euelly who seems to have assumed target man status, why? No idea! They were unimpressive too, it feels like we are very susceptible to dropping to the opposition. Not good. But there we go, the abilities there, and parts put into the 1st 11 would fit very well. Evina, good again, delivery excellent. Cort, clearly backup now, won everything. Wagstaff, superb impact up top, I fear that impact is the key here, not a starter, but sub striker....yes. Bover, he improved from last performance for me. Looked to show a bit more of what he's about, little less rushed, looked like he was begging for a better supporting cast to flourish.
