Back from the game - Preston

[Wycombe Royal]

^this is what I thought I saw. Perhaps the ref was unsighted I can't remember exactly where he was - pretty poor ref in anycase.

He's in the picture.

With about 3 bodies between him and the ball. Why would he not give it if he saw it?

It's now become a matter of course that if a ref doesn't give an obvious penalty then he must be useless but a ref can't guess if he doesn't see. Or should he just go with crowd and player reaction?

I was only pointing out that he was in the picture as zummerset said he couldn't remember where he was. I was making no judgement on whether he had a clear view of it or not.

[Hoop Blah]

RB, he's square on to the incident not the goal line. He's basically facing the East Stand but because he's further from the goal than Kishanisvili he's looking along the line of his body. I just think to say he's facing the wrong way and having to stretch to get a round his shoulder.

Franchise, I agree from the photo it does look like he's closer than 20 yards when he hits it. It may be that my view and recollection is wrong, but I certainly thought he was outside the box at the time. Sometimes photo's can make distances look a bit different to reality as well mind.

[Woodcote Royal]

Just watched the whole game on the website and from that somewhat limited view a lot of the criticism here seems unwarranted, IMHO.

Not all games are pretty but with yet another pathetic referee deserving of no respect whatsoever and starting the match without our best midfielder whilst playing another simply because McD didn't have a 2nd striker he was happy to start, I think it's high time for the serial wrist slitters to wake up and smell the coffee.

Frankly, with 7 games to go, fcuk all matters beyond the 3pts and Preston would have been dead and buried after half an hour with either, a referee who was prepared take action against their persistent fouling rather than, laughably, making Griffin his first name in the book after 60 mins of trips, tugs and kicks from the opposition or, we had started with the side that finished the match.

I'm not sure anyone had a bad game as such and whilst there's still room for improvement at the back, how many watertight defences do you come across that have seen the same number of changes in personal over last the few months as ours has? Beyond that, I like the way we seem to be improving at keeping the ball and I was delighted to see Manset FINALLY get the nod over Church.

Preston are typical dirty northern b@stards who regularly leave our pitch a man down and their managers post match observations said it all...............................if we don't play them next season that's fine by me.

How anyone can say Norwich are nailed on for 2nd place just beggars belief and for those who like a flutter, by money would be going on us.

I really hope Brian has the guts to start at Forest how he finished against Preston, unless he feels Pearce is ready to start ahead of Ingimarsson, because right now I think that side is better than the rest apart from QPR and was unlucky not to get more from our encounters with Cardiff, Swansea, Norwich and the fakes.

Current form should have season tickets flying out of the ticket office door as potentially the bargains of the century................I shall be renewing mine before someone comes up with a smart @rse way of reneging on the deal!!!

[FiNeRaIn]

Absolute stone wall penalty, everyone accepts that. But according to Phil Brown they ref was a homer

Cretin of a man, once again hope they go down.

[RoyalBlue]

They should name and shame all fans who leave before the final whistle, not just this Mr Park character.

'Part-time supporter'!

'We could see him sneaking out'!

BTW, who is going to be the first to bag the username 'Mr Park'?

[Wycombe Royal]

Franchise, I agree from the photo it does look like he's closer than 20 yards when he hits it. It may be that my view and recollection is wrong, but I certainly thought he was outside the box at the time. Sometimes photo's can make distances look a bit different to reality as well mind.

Definately inside the box. About 12 yards (penalty spot) would be my guess.....

[Percy's Rocket]

i couldnt help but notice Phil Brown's post match interview, where he said "the referee cost us", and "we didnt get a decision all night".

What a total helmet that northern prick is.

When he says they didn't get a decision he probably means the referee did not blow once for the constant kicking his lot were giving out.

He contested every call against them though.. But entitled to be desperate in their position I suppose.

We won't be worrying about them next season.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Their were a number of handballs that went against Preston as well. In general it was a very poor performance by the ref.

[Ian Royal]

Just watched the first half on Player.

Thought the front 4 looked very tidy and dangerous without managing to create many clear cut chances. I think that's as much down to Preston defending in numbers than anything else.

We look such a better quality team with Howard and McAnuff playing. Jem and Tabb were doing a good job holding, but we obviously missed Legs a lot. He's so calm, wins the ball and plays it simple and productively. And he's a taller presence and has longer legs which helps.

Griffin looking out of sorts back from injury but that's just match sharpness IMO. Defence pretty good on the whole.


EDIT: Wow. Fell apart at the start of the first half with absolutely nothing in midfield, just pinging it straight back to Preston. Howard needed to drop a bit deeper and help out Karacan & Tabb who seemed to disappear. Defence not exactly covering themselves in glory there either.

[bcubed]

Just watched the whole game on the website and from that somewhat limited view a lot of the criticism here seems unwarranted, IMHO.

Not all games are pretty but with yet another pathetic referee deserving of no respect whatsoever and starting the match without our best midfielder whilst playing another simply because McD didn't have a 2nd striker he was happy to start, I think it's high time for the serial wrist slitters to wake up and smell the coffee.

Frankly, with 7 games to go, fcuk all matters beyond the 3pts and Preston would have been dead and buried after half an hour with either, a referee who was prepared take action against their persistent fouling rather than, laughably, making Griffin his first name in the book after 60 mins of trips, tugs and kicks from the opposition or, we had started with the side that finished the match.

I'm not sure anyone had a bad game as such and whilst there's still room for improvement at the back, how many watertight defences do you come across that have seen the same number of changes in personal over last the few months as ours has? Beyond that, I like the way we seem to be improving at keeping the ball and I was delighted to see Manset FINALLY get the nod over Church.

Preston are typical dirty northern b@stards who regularly leave our pitch a man down and their managers post match observations said it all...............................if we don't play them next season that's fine by me.

How anyone can say Norwich are nailed on for 2nd place just beggars belief and for those who like a flutter, by money would be going on us.

I really hope Brian has the guts to start at Forest how he finished against Preston, unless he feels Pearce is ready to start ahead of Ingimarsson, because right now I think that side is better than the rest apart from QPR and was unlucky not to get more from our encounters with Cardiff, Swansea, Norwich and the fakes.

Current form should have season tickets flying out of the ticket office door as potentially the bargains of the century................I shall be renewing mine before someone comes up with a smart @rse way of reneging on the deal!!!

+1

[Ian Royal]

Manset really didn't look fit enough to start, so until Hunt's ready I think Howard's been doing a pretty damn good job. And we're a much tidier side on the ball with him on the pitch. Howard, Legs and one of Tabb & Karacan and we should beat Forest.

We certainly would have been comfortable against Preston had Legs been fit enough to start in place of one of Tabb or Karacan.

[West_Reading]

Would have been a travesty if Preston had got anything more than 0 points from that. We totally dominated apart from 10 minutes either side of the break where we just didn't do anything productive or keep the ball. Ref truly as abysmal and not the usual cliched awful. He WAS that bad. I thought everyone was decent if not better. Khiz, Harte, Mac, Jem, Kebe, Long all had outstanding moments but Legs and Manset totally changed the game, especially Legs. He was immense and bullied Preston when he came on. Manset also looks like he has all the magic to be a real matchwinner. One great run and bang with his left peg.

I thought the crowd was great too. I was in Y20 and after Preston equalised we really seemed to get behind the lads. Should have won by more than we did but i'm delighted just to get the three points. Will take scrappy wins all the way now.

McCarthy - 6 - Little/nothing to do. Flapped at a few corners as well as being fouled on a few too.
Griffin - 7 - Rusty and short of match fitness but still more than good enough.
Khiz - 8.5 - Love him at the back. Gives us exactly what we need. Composure and organisation.
Ingy - 6 - Hoofed it into no man's land too much. Outpaced too easily by Hume all night.
Harte - 8 - Great hit from distance and some great crosses. Sound defensively.
Kebe - 7 - Went all headless chicken for a while but luckily found his head for the last half hour.
Jem - 7.5 - Tireless performance. Got involved offensively.
Tabb - 7 - Done all that could be asked of him.
Howard - 7 - I thought we looked good with Howard on the ball, a shame he had to go off but Legs was needed.
McAnuff - 8 - Some great runs, one magical dribble. Helped Harte as always.
Long - 7.5 - Wasn't as clinical as usual but a threat from wide.

Subs -

Legs - 8.5 - Showed why we've become such a force with him in the side.
Manset - 7.5 - A total tank with great feet.
HRK - 7 - Got the goal and his direct style was a real handful for the Preston defence.

[RoyalBlue]

RB, he's square on to the incident not the goal line. He's basically facing the East Stand but because he's further from the goal than Kishanisvili he's looking along the line of his body. I just think to say he's facing the wrong way and having to stretch to get a round his shoulder.

Franchise, I agree from the photo it does look like he's closer than 20 yards when he hits it. It may be that my view and recollection is wrong, but I certainly thought he was outside the box at the time. Sometimes photo's can make distances look a bit different to reality as well mind.

Having watched the BBC highlights, I don't think I am being unduly harsh on the clown in the middle. He is actually walking at an angle away from the goal as the shot comes in from Zurab and is having to turn to look over his shoulder. Not at all the best positioning to see what was going on. Perhaps his incompetence had worn him out by then and he was wanting to get an ahead start back towards the Reading goal if Preston cleared their lines!

[SHORT AND CURLY]

Royal Blue you appear to have an issue with the ref
Did he run off with your Mrs or something