45 attempts; 8 on target - but only 1 goal. The opposition have had only 23 attempts with 7 on target - but only 1 of their's wasn't a goal. Luck or quality needed?
Last three games
Luck to some extent. You can see crucial moments in each game - the miss by Davies just before half-time at Sheffield, the penalty miss by Browne against Derby, the free-kick by Moult today that hit the woodwork. The real weakness in each case was lack of real quality in central midfield other than Pearson.
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Proof that statistics mean virtually nothing at the end of the season, other than the points column.
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Proof that the only statistic that means anything at the end of the season is the points column. Luck isn't a thing outside of the human mind so forget that. It must be accepted that money buys talent and North End have less money than the rest, much like they had more money than the rest in League One.
North End must take their place in the football pond.
I like Neil's style of play. I think he has done a fantastic job. I'll bet plenty that he wishes he could replace 6 of his first 14 players. He is under a bit of pressure now, as he doesn't want a poor record at Deepdale to taint his cv. Yet he'll be picking the bones out of the player pool over the summer again.
He doesn't have the quality of player he needs to execute his plans at the moment. He has taken this group further than expected.
I imagine a tough season next time around. Not quite as successful as this term.
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And when we sold hughill the manager could see the need for a midfielder ........ ledson.
Appears north end would not pay the fee required but wanted top fee for Hughill.
Sell high pay bargain basement isn’t going to cut it at this level.
Just feel we have wasted our best chance this season.
Should have signed Ledson as the manager wanted and a striker on loan or signing.
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The quality of our chances has been pretty poor in general, we're getting shots away from a distance, things like that. Our game plan doesn't work vs defensive minded sides.
Yes, there has been some bad luck, it's natural variance in the game. But this isn't a new problem. We struggled to score goals at the start of the season too, Hugill wasn't prolific, and it's going to require work from the manager to solve a serious long term failing of this team. Be it tactics or personnel, we have to hope Alex can find a key.
Re: Ledson, Oxford were literally refusing to speak to the club at the end of the window.
Yes, there has been some bad luck, it's natural variance in the game. But this isn't a new problem. We struggled to score goals at the start of the season too, Hugill wasn't prolific, and it's going to require work from the manager to solve a serious long term failing of this team. Be it tactics or personnel, we have to hope Alex can find a key.
Re: Ledson, Oxford were literally refusing to speak to the club at the end of the window.
Considering how late in the window we sold Hugill was there time? The real weakness was the lack of a further experienced quality central midfielder. But as we saw today AN has started to show signs of obstinacy in repeating selections that have shown themselves to be failures - Robinson in central midfield - and sticking too rigidly to his favoured formation - why on earth when we needed goals did we not throw both Moult and Maguire at them in the second half.
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Philosophically, it is a minefield for North End. On the one hand we were all a bit bored with Grayson's stubborn tactics. Then we see some enterprise from Alex Neil but find ourselves on the end of a few sucker punches.
The solution is to continue to attacking philosophy, but with two wide players who know what they are doing. Either a good crosser a la Gallagher, or a skilful player like David Eyres.
Could those two players be Harrop on the right, drifting in, and young Bodin, drifting in? I would put it down to youthfulness, but Robinson and Barkhuizen aren't currently deft enough to cause serious problems under real pressure.
The solution is to continue to attacking philosophy, but with two wide players who know what they are doing. Either a good crosser a la Gallagher, or a skilful player like David Eyres.
Could those two players be Harrop on the right, drifting in, and young Bodin, drifting in? I would put it down to youthfulness, but Robinson and Barkhuizen aren't currently deft enough to cause serious problems under real pressure.
They might be with a couple of high class players in the centre in addition to Pearson to create opportunities for them. What has become evident over the last few games is that Browne lacks creativity and should be regarded as back-up for Pearson other than the odd occasions when we might need a second 'battler' and frankly that Gallagher is now finished at this level. There has been a void right at the heart of the team where there should have been drive, assertion and creativity. Hopefully to some extent we may already have the solution to that in form of Johnson if he stays and Harrop as he gains experience.
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The apathy spreads from the top, through the team and to the fans, not the other way round.
Bottled it again IMHO.
Why AN sticks with Robinson is beyond me. I like the lad but he can't hit a barn door with a banjo. One of the worst shots I've seen in all my years watching PNE. He can't even score in the warm up. Constantly blasts it over the bar.
Bottled it again IMHO.
Why AN sticks with Robinson is beyond me. I like the lad but he can't hit a barn door with a banjo. One of the worst shots I've seen in all my years watching PNE. He can't even score in the warm up. Constantly blasts it over the bar.
Why he plays him grotesquely out-of-position is the question when experience shows it is a futile policy. The only place for Robinson is the formation we play is on one or other side of the midfield 3. The only other position in which he could be effective is as one of an upfront striking partnership.
In the spell between Hugill leaving and Maguire coming back I thought Robinson played very well.
What appears a bit of a mystery is the failure to learn from the first of the three games that a weakness was playing a back three that the opposition could hit on the break.
And did
And for another two games
And did a plan b appear ?
Nope.
And did
And for another two games
And did a plan b appear ?
Nope.
Given that Moult was still injured he was the only option we had and I admit he did his best in the lone striker riole and at times was moderately effective - but no more than that. Play him where he can be most effective and he can be a genuinely useful player. But as soon as I saw the line-up today I could see what was going to happen -because it has happened before. Why on earth did we not start with either Gallagher, limited as he is now, or Harrop?
Last 3 games - absolutely shite. Six conceded and scored one. This season has been a long one and looking forward to it ending. The home games have been average and Deepdale is on its backside. Major stimulus needed to bring the passion back along with some goals. It’s been a boring season.
Ive never seen anything from him in any position other than 2 or 3 decent passes in most games. Wouldn't make y first 11 thats for sure.
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The last three games since the international break have been extremely dissapointing to say the least.
I suspect there has been something that has rocked the apple cart....whether it’s something to do with the keepers playing Hokey Cokey I don’t know.
Surely you don’t have a two week rest and then run out of steam...it doesn’t make sense?
I suspect there has been something that has rocked the apple cart....whether it’s something to do with the keepers playing Hokey Cokey I don’t know.
Surely you don’t have a two week rest and then run out of steam...it doesn’t make sense?
Relegation avoided .... foot off the gas?
Tom C not being played ?