NewCorkSethDenver RoyalMr Optimist After the first few minutes on Saturday I thought we might be in for a good afternoon as Preston weren't doing what most teams do against us, which is close us down quickly, reduce our time on the ball, and force us into silly errors and gifts for the opposition.
I was really surprised by that as I was expecting to see that being their main tactic to squeeze the space, but they were quite happy to sit off us.
The part Martinez is playing for us is huge as you can see how the confidence is growing from the back from having a "proper" keeper there.
Any news on Mo and if he will be out for long? Similarly hopefully Swifty just went off as a precaution.
Good post. Yep, Preston came out flat and pedestrian. And you're right, they sat off us, which suited us. Surprising, given the tear they'd been on, and being in the playoff hunt, etc.
Alex Neil said afterwards that they were missing a few key players and that it showed. "We knew today was going to be a tough day for us. Reading are a very different type of team. We knew it was going to be a passing type of game, but we just didn’t really get in behind them".
That said, Barrow was crucial with his goal and the assist, because beyond that we didn't really have too many clear chances. Think their keeper only made one other save of note, which was a good save from Eja.
I think there was just one more which was the cross Ejaria walked over. Had he made contact with it few keepers could have saved it.
Yes, you're right Seth, I forgot that one. Not sure if Eja was surprised and saw it late, got his long legs stuck under him or what, but the goal was gaping.