Tonight's team PRESTON CHAT

[Blue Wilf]

Good work out and 2-1 win will do

[BLUEBLOOD]

Definitely offside he was standing in front of keeper when he got the ball.
2 good goals by town .

[Bluemike]

I'm very very happy with tonight, our first choice team dominated it. Second half Harness really impressed me, Leigh and Aluko decent too, we came under the cosh towards the end but had no senior defenders on the pitch, 2 kids in Carr and Baggott and Lee Evans at CB. 2 cracking saves from Hladky secured the win, a deserved win and plenty of reasons to be pleased.

[Cabanas Blue]

Thanks guys not long now roll on.

[Charnwood]

Damn it I forgot to watch it, far too much going on.

Any news on Town tv anyone ?

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

On the way back to Manchester and I can safely say I have never been as content after the pre-season game as I am today. It's not about the result. It's about the way we play. We were largely dominant against midtable opposition. It took Preston 23 minutes to get the ball into our box. It's about the way we play. Players know their duties and responsibilities. League One and 4 years of nightmare in it is well and truly over. That league is a stain on our history but now we have a new chapter. Last time we were at Preston back in 2019 we were already relegated. Humiliating 0-4 defeat where the players didn't care at all. See this link from that game

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/matc ... own/108060

Jackson the only survivor from that game. See the team from that day. The bunch of parasites and slobs who had no desire or heart for the fight against relegation. What a contrast to everything what we have now that is: the team and their professionalism, the players who play for the shirt, the manager, the owners, the club's ambitions. I am absolutely convinced we are going to have more good days than the bad ones in new season. Sunderland day cannot come quick enough for me.

[Bluemike]

Exactly Mach and to think I used to stick up for those parasites and slobs who really didn't serve the club well, very different now for sure.

Some observations from last night....

A lot of clubs in this division won't cope with our natural game, the passing, possession and offensive game will overrun them.

Ball very comfortable and assured at the back.

Harness a new man, looked very impressive indeed

Morsy so very vital to us, dominant as always

We have great strength in depth

Broadhead had some superb touches, will excel in this division.

Our fitness already looks at a very good level and will only improve

Humphreys and Baggott not ready for this level.

Maybe slow to get down for their goal but Hladky produced Three excellent saves, need to stay at club.

Hirst was rusty but still scored and should have had Three, was getting in the right positions.

Aluko also pleasantly surprised me.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

McKenna is going to have a real selection problem and could be even bigger if we sign Hutchinson/Rak-Sakyi. To keep everyone happy is going to be a challenge for him but what a problem we have

[Dazzz67]

Thanks for the reviews and incite into the team and their performances chaps.

Think having selection issues is a good thing tbh, this is going to be a long and bloody hard season with so many fantastic teams in the Championship, we are going to get injuries and fatigue will play its part so important we have fresh players available and options.

But these guys are a great bunch of professionals as MA & KM have recruited well, they will accept this and will drive them on, great team spirit will carry them through.

[hallamblue]

I was glowing with pride last night watching that Town performance.

We are continuing our seamless, fluid style of possession football, which makes opponents look like a bunch of clueless dullards. The old adage of “ if they ain’t got the ball, they can’t hurt you”, was never more evident than last nights performance. PNE didn’t get the ball into our box until 20+ mins. We were sublime in our build up play, evidenced by the slick Chappers goal. Jackson looks a different player these days. If he can become more consistent with the end product (crosses into the box), Burns will have competition.

Now, my bone of contention- our defensive abilities.

I watched closely last night, our defenders individually, and collectively as a unit. Woolfie is definitely accomplished on the ball, and brings it out of defence calmly. Davis and Ball did their jobs largely well and in control. Walton? Hmmm. Not so sure about him, or is it the CB’s defending in front of him? Not sure But this I feel is the crux of our potential defensive frailty. Our defensive abilities as a whole, when the ball does eventually get into our box, for me, is concerning.

We need CB’s that can header the ball cleanly, powerfully and actually CLEAR the danger. None of our CB’s can really do this with any conviction. Does this leave the keeper, floundering trying to battle for the ball bouncing / bobbing around in front of him, or should HE be taking that ball and killing the attack? Neither happens. So in a game where we are in total control, we are all at sea it seems as soon as the opposition does get the ball in our box. PNE hardly touched the ball for nearly half an hour . They eventually get it in our box snd it was a right old flap . Pin ball “defending”.

When Edmundson / Woolfie were the combination it ended in a goal every game. Burgess provides more Ariel cover, but still lacks dominance. Woolfie? He simply can’t header the ball cleanly, and decisively. Last night in open play he had two one on one heading challenges with his msn and he lost both of them. In the box this will lad to goals against.

In my opinion we NEED a very good commanding CB and in addition I do wonder if the Man City GK has been brought in to push Walton , who for me, is not convincing in dealing with balls into the box. I’m hoping ( praying) we secure Mr Trusty!

Anyway sorry re long post …..

Thoughts people?

[shabba]

Some great comments here, and sum it up perfectly. We played so well that first half and dominated them, we looked light years ahead in our strucutre and passages of play.

There was a big drop off 2nd half which highlights the lack of strength, but realisitically we'd need 7+ injuries at once for that to be a major issue in the season.

Wooflie looked very composed, Harness did well, Hirst should have had a hat-trick though. For a pre season it was very positive, cannot wait for next tuesday now.

We definitley need the CB we are all agreeing on, and we will get it I'm sure.

[Bluemike]

Hey Shabba, a bit off topic but I've sent you a PM

[arana peligrosa]

Maybe not surprised the team took the trip there and got a victory. Hell we played Burnley twice last season when they were runaway leaders in a higher league and very nearly beat them. Team's come on leaps and bounds in the last 18 months / two years since Game Changer and McKenna took control. We're no longer a soft touch or embarrassment to watch and opponents wherever you find them find us invariably a tough nut to crack.

Some don't read too much into pre-season games, others wait for the real action to get underway but at the same time it's kind of essential the players we got receive match practice and involvement before any real games come to hand. Read a report from TWTD and fan reaction, we fielded a strong team and seem value for the win. I hope McKenna shows the same determination in Cup contests from August. With the players we got and right attitude the chance is there to make a significant impact other than just league endeavors going into the new season.