Preston Match thread

[RowlattsFox]

Ok performance really, nothing more than that. Barnes outstanding but needs to work on his left foot finishing, Vardy should have had a hat trick too. 

 

Soumare shown a couple of great turns and touched but he's too passive for English football. Dewsbury-Hall excellent first that, Maddison not his best I thought. Fofana struggled with Ched Evans. 

 

I'd have Castagane ahead of Ricardo at right back. Justin works well with Barnes but is weak as a back post defender. 

[Silverfox14]

Thought Soumare did very well-but Brentford would be good step up from PNE.

[kingfox]

Good first half, average second half.

 

Defenders had more work to do in that second half, too open in the midfield, I wouldn’t go playing a midfield two in the Prem without Ndidi.

[Cincinnati Fox]

Can’t see nuge on sky sports anytime soon

[Phenom]

I know he’s frustrating sometimes but Barnes will have a big year stats wise .

[smudger63]

Not great second half, Preston upped their intensity, and we stepped off of ours. Defence looked a bit shaky. I would start Castagne left back and Ricardo right back first game. I would love us to go out and buy a really commanding centre half, I don't think we have one currently at the club. I'm liking the new Soumare, you can see there is a proper player in there,  although I expect he will still be sold. Over the two games I think there was plenty to be encouraged with though, so happy days

[Cincinnati Fox]

I really don’t think Brendan’s heart is in it. If we start well he will step up his game but think he will be quite happy with his pay off if not.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

7 minutes ago, splinterdream said:

Wish they'd spend a week on finishing practice with Barnes 

 

We've been saying this since before COVID, maybe it's just time to concede he's a bit of an erratic finisher? I love him, by the way

[Ric Flair]

Barnes has improved no end at finishing since 2019/20 but there's more to come. 

 

KDH exceptional today, that build up for the Vardy miss in the 2nd half where he's won the ball, a few one two's and then a great chance created for Vardy to bag. Unreal.

[lee7]

2 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Barnes has improved no end at finishing since 2019/20 but there's more to come. 

 

KDH exceptional today, that build up for the Vardy miss in the 2nd half where he's won the ball, a few one two's and then a great chance created for Vardy to bag. Unreal.

One of the things KDH does best is pick up the ball, play a pass then burst with speed into space to receive the ball back. It's really hard to play/defend against someone with that intensity.

[Fazzer 7]

Barnes could have and maybe should have had a hatrick. Vards missed what was for him a sitter. But overall  we do look more like a team than last preseason.

[Chelmofox]

Barnes looks great, and it looks like he has another gear in him as well. Enjoyed Praet and Daka from the first game. It might of just been me but did Evans look absolutely knackered towards the end of that? 

[WestonPNE]

I was really impressed with you today. Only preseason but I think you were the best team we’ve played in preseason for a long time. I am surprised you aren’t more positive about your team still really good in the second half 

 

Barnes and Maddison are outstanding players. They showed the difference between championship players and top premiership players, I dont know why they cant get into England team. 

[KingsX]

3 minutes ago, Chelmofox said:

It might of just been me but did Evans look absolutely knackered towards the end of that? 

 

Mostly just worn out from yelling at Little Wes to get back over to his assigned position.

[Spudulike]

4 minutes ago, WestonPNE said:

I was really impressed with you today. Only preseason but I think you were the best team we’ve played in preseason for a long time. I am surprised you aren’t more positive about your team still really good in the second half 

 

Barnes and Maddison are outstanding players. They showed the difference between championship players and top premiership players, I dont know why they cant get into England team. 

Southgate has his favourites and they play for the wrong club. 

[norwichfox]

1 hour ago, TMELcfc said:

God we are awful at set pieces 

maybe we should try other options to Maddison taking virtually every corner and free kick

[Lambert09]

as unlikely as it sounds… I think there’s an outside chance KDH goes to the world cup. If he has a solid 15 games and phillips sits on the man city bench… or rice gets an injury… there’s not many others that could play the role as well as him. 

 

gallagher won’t play for chelsea… henderson is limited these days… there’s an opening for sure with the larger squads being allowed 

[kingkisnorbo]

Just now, Lambert09 said:

as unlikely as it sounds… I think there’s an outside chance KDH goes to the world cup. If he has a solid 15 games and phillips sits on the man city bench… or rice gets an injury… there’s not many others that could play the role as well as him. 

 

gallagher won’t play for chelsea… henderson is limited these days… there’s an opening for sure with the larger squads being allowed 

Phillips is nailed on to go whatever happens at city. Well liked by Southgate and especially now he’s at a big six club. 

[JimmyC74]

Most pleasing aspect today was the give and go passing / interplay. We looked really incisive at times.

 

We still need to sharpen up without the ball but if we do that and maybe add that RW we should be ok

[Bourbon Fox]

17 minutes ago, WestonPNE said:

I am surprised you aren’t more positive about your team

Get that sunshine out of here!

[Lambert09]

13 minutes ago, kingkisnorbo said:

Phillips is nailed on to go whatever happens at city. Well liked by Southgate and especially now he’s at a big six club. 

I do think you’re right, but injuries happen. belligham henderson and gallagher… might only need one of them to pick something up and he might squeeze in. 
 

I wouldn’t rule it out, just needs a decent haul of goals and assists because that’s the only thing that will convince southgate to even look 

[splinterdream]

1 hour ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

We've been saying this since before COVID, maybe it's just time to concede he's a bit of an erratic finisher? I love him, by the way

His progress is slow but I think he was held up last season by lack of support at times, and despite that his final stats showed he is quality. I'd like to see a fully on form Justin on the left assisting Barnes, I personally think that's the way forward this season 

[Guest Col city fan]

I realise it’s pre season friendly stuff, but this has to be the best form I’ve seen Maddison in

It looks like he’s got over that hip injury he had and he looks full of confidence.

Just hope it continues into the games that really matter

[taupe]

I thought we struggled a bit at times as they sat deep. Seemed like I seen it before. Hopefully preseason is all about gaining sharpness.

[FosseSpark]

I'm not surprised we were a bit behind Derby and Preston fitness wise second half. They start their season on Saturday. 

I was super impressed with the intent we showed and how on it vardy, Barnes, kdh, fofana. Justin, Evans looked and Tielemans, Praet, Castagne and Soyuncu in the other game.

The fact we split across two games against opposition who are on the cusp of their season and looked good in both bodes well.

 

Conclusions. 

Ricardo v Castagne still isn't resolved. Ricardo subdued again.

Vestergaard will trouble to even get a champ club. Needs to go abroad

Justin streets ahead on the front foot. Thomas looked solid defending.

Ndidi looked solid but mendy has progressed to be a better passer. Weird. Soumare looked good but surely can't be seen as first choice holder. Unless Ndidi will be eased in.

Praet and Tielemans were quality in the Derby game. If tielemans stays he plays its that simple. 

KDHs passing was next level i agree with the comments about him and England. I'd  put £5 on him captaining both leicester and England.

Maddison needed to stay off the ground a bit but was next level passing. 

Daka and Iheanacho showed that if they get given chances they will score. Both instinctive finishers who other clubs would give their right tit to have as 2nd and 3rd choice strikers.

Barnes suffers from the same trouble as salah, mane, sterling etc he gets himself into so many positions in the box that he will always be labelled an erratic finisher. Even when he scores 20 goals in a season. Which he will. 

We are short a right winger. Still

We are short a left sided defender. 

 

At our best we are also way too good for most of the prem outside the top 7 or 8.