They started well, forcing a cracking save from Bo early on. That was about the last shot they had on target. The only other moments of alarm in the game were the result of Bo misjudging crosses, the first time Ricketts rescued him and the second, their #18 lashed the ball over. We defended stubbornly and they had no choice but to resort to hitting long balls at Andy Carroll. He's a big lad and he won a couple, but generally, Michael Turner dealt with the threat. Turner was great. When isn't he? He dealt with the aerial threat from Carroll in the first half and then the pace and power of Agyemang in the second. The only time he was beaten, he was pushed in the back by Agyemang. He doesn't just quell the aerial threat though, he's starting to read the game like a top defender. He's in the right position far more often than not. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think he committed one foul all afternoon. Alongside him, Commander Brown looked strong and resilient. Worryingly, he had to go off in the second half, possibly tweaking his thigh or hamstring. Delaney, who'd had a very good game at left back, moved across to cover. He had a nervy five minutes, but once we scored the third goal, the threat from Preston was practically none existent. On the other flank, Ricketts, arguably our most consistent player this season, quelled any threat from the lively Whaley, forcing him to move over to the other side. He pushed forward on plenty of occasions. He didn't find the killer delivery, although one cross in the first half was absolutely begging for a striker to get into the 6 yard box.
We scored from our fist attack. McPhee drove in from the right, slid a great ball through to Campbell, his shot was well saved by Lonergan and Windass headed in the rebound. Windass then headed over from McPhee's cross and we scored again with our next attack. Ricketts run inside took the left back (Hill) away from the ball, Windass exploited the space wide and then crossed for Campbell to take a touch and slot in low. Steve McPhee either produced an amazing dummy or he fell over in the build up. That was about it for the whole first half. We'd had 3 decent attacks in 25 minutes and scored twice. We were playing OK, Preston where never allowed to threaten, but it wasn't all that inspiring. The 20 minutes leading up to half time was awful. Both sides sliced clearance after clearance, gave the ball away and failed to provide any decent service into the front men. Again, We were in control, by way of being two goals up and very stingy at the back. A better team would have punished us though. We were inviting them onto us and It was four vs. Marney and Ashbee in the midfield. Our two did well though, because Preston couldn't break them down. In the second half, we started a bit better, but until the third goal went in, a super free-kick from Andy Dawson, the game still had no shape and remained a bit of a midfield squabble. We controlled the rest, we played good, sensible football and ran the clock down. The defence were stubborn and determined to keep a clean sheet. Turner made two sliding interceptions to deny Preston even half a chance. Okocha got 15 minutes under his belt and forced a terrific save from Lonergan. Ashbee played two awesome passes, one to McPhee and one to Ricketts that unfortunately came to nothing and Elliott went close with an incredible swerving, skidding cross-shot.
The Ashbee-Marney midfield is the best thing about us at the moment. It looks impregnable. They protect well, they use the ball well and both get into good attacking positions. Ashbee has worked as hard at taking care of the ball and pushing forward as Marney has at being involved without the ball. Marney (cliche alert) covers every blade of grass. Watch the play, when someone in amber has the ball, 95% of the time, there's a pass on to Marney. He's always moving, covering a large area, box to box and wide on the right. Neither gave the ball away needlessly, they made strong challenges and good interceptions and looked the strong, athletic and intelligent midfield we've been crying out for since day one on the championship. McPhee, playing wide right, started well and Hughes, left, finished well, but in between, neither was involved in the game. The ball was being played long quite a bit and neither team got a foot on the ball and played it wide. The game being so stretched probably led to PB's decision to swap Campbell for Elliott. The young fella looked a bit lost in the second half and Elliott came on to battle for the ball. Ironically, when we settled down for the last 20 minutes, Campbell would probably have had a field day with the balls in behind the tiring Preston defence.
Campbell isn't a great footballer, he's not likely to hold the ball up well or drop back and link up play, but he's lightening in the last third. He doesn't pull out wide, he sticks around the danger area. He's not selfish, he'll work back and chase off the ball, but in possession, apart from one or two nice flicks, he's all about getting into the penalty box and picking up anything that drops. He's the perfect foil for Deano, who moves across the pitch, wins the ball in the air, holds up the ball and links up midfield and attack. The second goal was the perfect example. I thought Deano was below par today, he gave the ball away far too often, but he still made one and scored one. McPhee moved up front for the last 15, but struggled on his own.
A superb result and a bit of consistency at last. Our form is quite good, 10 points from the last 15, 8 scored, 3 conceded and up to 11th. Without harping on about it, we're still missing Folan, Barmby, Pedersen, Welsh, France and a fit Okocha. If we're honest though, Pedersen is the only one who might make it back into the side. Hughes had a decent game today, but still looks a bit lost out wide and isn't producing anything penetrating. Pedersen's outing against ipswich showed bags of promise. As good as Okocha is, we have a nice shape without him and the partnerships up front and in midfield are blossoming. Folan gives a problem. His pace and skill alongside Campbell would be frightening but Windass, in his bruising, ugly way, leads the line incredibly well. It's a poser, good luck, Phil. It'd be nice to keep the winning run going. Scunny away followed by Brizzle City and Cardiff at home and then Preston away gives a good opportunity to go and pick up at least 8 points out of 12. There'll certainly be no excuse if we don't. We're good enough.
The ref had a great game today. Best we've had in a while. I thought he gave them a free kick in a dangerous position when Ashbee was then one being fouled, but that aside, he was excellent. Best crowd chant? "You're getting sacked in the morning". Very harsh, really, Browny is doing his best!
The attendance was better, but not great. We're in the top half, we're scoring goals, we've got exciting players and we're trying to play good football. This team is far, far better than the two previous seasons and is not been supported in the same numbers as they were. We have big games coming up, get yourself down to the KC and support them, you won't regret it.
Ratings: Myhill 6, Ricketts 8, Delaney 7, Brown 7 (Dawson), Turner 8, McPhee 7, Hughes 6, Ashbee 7, Marney 8, Campbell 7 (Elliott), Windass 7 (Okocha).