Preston didn't fancy it. They didn't have it in them to match our desire and work ethic. We drove at them from the start, putting ourselves in the firing line. John Welsh was injured, and it looked serious, after flying into a challenge. While stupid, it summed up the aggression and will to win that we showed through out. Defensively, we were excellent, from back to front and we created chances at the other end. Preston didn't have a shot of note. Bo certainly never made a save.
Turner had a great game. He didn't have a lot to do, but did everything calmly and confidently. He was a real steadying influence and Delaney, so poor on Tuesday, was every bit as good. Dawson and Ricketts had rock steady games too. In midfield, we had a typical Ashbee performance; he refused to lose any challenge, on the ground or in the air. Livermore, sub for Welsh, played as well as he did against Birmingham and drove forward too. Parlour drifted around, looking fitter, keeping possession and bringing the wide players into the game. The full backs were able to push up and make a 5 across midfield at times that meant we had better options and we won a lot more of the "second ball".
The front 3 worked very hard to close down Preston's defence and midfield and stopped them from building moves. They forced them into hitting long balls and unlike Tuesday, we dealt easily with them. Windass and Forster were a massive threat. They have excellent movement and body strength and an incredible desire to win the ball. Windass hit the post with a shot he had no right to get in, while Fozzy hit the 'keeper when 1 on 1. Elliott won everything in the air and worked very hard to defend, but he was very frustrating. He gives away too many free-kick's by crawling all over defenders who have nowhere to go. He cost us good field position on a few occasions.
Preston were a disappointment, but we worked hard to make them look second best. We also showed that when we're given time and space by the opposition, we're good enough to hurt teams of any quality. When they press us and unsettle us and throw balls in the box, we look poor and that's something we must improve on, because Southend, Colchester and Luton won't stand and watch us play football. We've quickly got to learn how to boss the game when it's tighter and the opposition show great desire. It may be harsh on Ashbee, but he looks the business against midfielders who don't want to battle but struggles when someone stands up to him. That would be my only worry for the run in. We've certainly got quality, but when the pressure has been on, we've struggled. We keep putting ourselves in a good position and then lose the next game.
Credit to Phil Brown, he picked the right side. The ever improving Turner was a must pick after Colesy's nightmare on Tuesday and he recognised that we needed more bite and energy in midfield. Livermore did really well to provide that after being left out initially. The bench looked stronger too. Barmby and Vaz Te can influence the game. Not seeing Barmby and Windass together was a big disappointment. I never thought it possible but I hope to see it soon.
Now it's on to Luton. Refuse to lose, City.
Ratings: Bo 6, Ricketts 7, Dawson 7, Delaney 7, Turner 8, Ashbee 7, Welsh (Livermore 8), Parlour 7, Forster 8 (Vaz Te), Elliott 7, Windass 8 (Barmby).