Call it the residual impact of the previous regime. Another shriveling display late on allowed Preston to claw back for a 2-2 draw yesterday at Deepdale – not as damning as the Coventry capitulation, largely due to the Lilywhites continuing consolidation in the upper tier of the league. Gordon Strachan has a few tasks to prioritise once officially installed; improve the fitness, concentration, and discipline required to see out a full shift, completely unwilling to allow smash and grab points-raids at our expense; more pertinently though should be convincing Adam Johnson to sign on the line which is dotted…his darting and cunning run that produced the second goal prompted a guttural ‘Magic Johnson’ from Ali…that’s brilliant!
As we reveled in our tech totality – AV from the press box, Ali/Gary in the booth, and a dubious feed scrambled across the Middle East and then into our laptop – here were the observations that made it in the notebook:
- Johnno’s goal – really magic; Leroy Lita chased down the long goal kick and held up play for the onrushing AJ…clinical finish
- Gary O’Neil was very offensive-minded, advancing more forward than usual and getting efforts in on goal – the free kick for the first goal probably should’ve been dealt with, but good for the midfielder’s confidence no doubt
- Rhys Williams thundered that shot off the woodwork – the potential 3-1 lead would have been unassailable
- The foul on Joe Bennett leading to the free kick that produced the leveler was ridiculous – the young left back is clearly being unfairly targeted for his refreshingly physical approach – and the late off side ruling against Johnno as Boro pressed deep in stoppage time was bullshit too…
- If Gordo has time, maybe convert Emnes to a RM role…could work…isn’t that what we bought him as?
Get well soon Moz…
Call it the residual impact of the previous regime. Another shriveling display late on allowed Preston to claw back for a 2-2 draw yesterday at Deepdale – not as damning as the Coventry capitulation, largely due to the Lilywhites continuing consolidation in the upper tier of the league. Gordon Strachan has a few tasks to prioritise once officially installed; improve the fitness, concentration, and discipline required to see out a full shift, completely unwilling to allow smash and grab points-raids at our expense; more pertinently though should be convincing Adam Johnson to sign on the line which is dotted…his darting and cunning run that produced the second goal prompted a guttural ‘Magic Johnson’ from Ali…that’s brilliant!
As we reveled in our tech totality – AV from the press box, Ali/Gary in the booth, and a dubious feed scrambled across the Middle East and then into our laptop – here were the observations that made it in the notebook:
Johnno’s goal – really magic; Leroy Lita chased down the long goal kick and held up play for the onrushing AJ…clinical finish
Gary O’Neil was very offensive-minded, advancing more forward than usual and getting efforts in on goal – the free kick for the first goal probably should’ve been dealt with, but good for the midfielder’s confidence no doubt
Rhys Williams thundered that shot off the woodwork – the potential 3-1 lead would have been unassailable
The foul on Joe Bennett leading to the free kick that produced the leveler was ridiculous – the young left back is clearly being unfairly targeted for his refreshingly physical approach – and the late off side ruling against Johnno as Boro pressed deep in stoppage time was bullshit too…
If Gordo has time, maybe convert Emnes to a RM role…could work…isn’t that what we bought his as?
Get well soon Moz…
October 25th, 2009 @ BA
0