Snowflake RoyalBarryWhiteRFC I guess there is no BFTG thread for this match due to the managerial situation. However, I don't get to too many games live so I wanted to give my thoughts.
Hein: 6 - Collected crosses well to relive pressure at times, I guess that is what he has been brought in to do as from my perspective it was the only area of Southwood's game which needed work. However, his distribution is weak, barring one pass out which set off a counter attack, nearly every kick seemed to go out for a throw in for Preston. Not much he good with the goal mouth scramble, but I think he will be disappointed with Preston's first.
Baba Rahman: 8 - Was excellent. Defended well and got forward well. Seemed to be all over the pitch at times. Kept control of the ball well and played passes which kept us in possession of the ball. Was one of the great performances of the day. I'm hoping the injury is not too long of a lay off as he is just seeming to find his form.
Yiadom: 7 - Typical high energy match from Yids. Was stopping a lot of the Preston attacks. Looked good going forward as well. Still struggles to put a cross on the money though. However, certainly not a bad match.
Holmes: 5 - I even think the 5 is generous. Gifted Preston a gilt edged opportunity to score, which they didn't take. All he had to do was square it and instead took a terrible shot on. This was after Holmes got caught in possession. This wasn't the only time this happened either. He seemed to struggle with distribution today. I felt nervous every time he had the ball.
Morrison: 7 - Where Holmes was poor I felt Morrison excelled. Good distribution, was throwing himself on the line when needed. Winning many aerial duels. Solid and gave me confidence.
Drinkwater: 6 - I found it very hard to score Drinkwater. At times he was excellent. He broke up so many Preston attacks. Then passed it straight back to a Preston player and put us under pressure. I think he did this at least twice, and just under hit at least three passes as well. However, he have a vital role in our third and some things he did very well.
Rinamhota: 9 - Very close to MotM for me. He was everywhere. Setting up attacks, stopping their attacks. Whenever the ball was outside of either area, he seemed to either be on the ball or close to it. He didn't give the ball away, but was still looking to play the ball forward. Was fantastic.
Ince: 5 - Honestly, seemed to do nothing for the vast majority of the game until he was switched sides, then did a bit more, but still not enough to bring him over a 5. I felt Ince should have been taken off for Meite at about the 60/65th min. As I thought Hoilett was much, much better than Ince. He just seemed to do nothing other than chase the ball around. He did put in effort I suppose, I can't fault that.
Hoilett: 8 - Was brilliant. High energy, closed down well, caused problems when he was on the ball. Most break aways we had seemed to go through him. As I said above, not sure why he was taken off before Ince.
Swift: 8 - He had an assist and a goal and he was a constant thorn in Preston's side. The finish was sublime. However, he did lose the ball numerous times. But that is to be expected from a playmaker, however, he lost the ball when I felt he had an easy pass on, I found it really frustrating at times. Especially getting into the latter stages of the match when we are trying to hold on.
Joao: 9 - MotM for me. Scored two and one assist. What more can you ask of your striker? He ran tirelessly closing down defenders and their keeper. Scored a great solo goal as well as a tap in. Unselfishly found a great pass to set Swift up. Maybe I'm a bit harsh not giving him a 10, but you need a hattrick to get a 10 in my book.
Subs
Meite: 7 - Came on, lots of energy, caused Preston issues, got brought down for what looked to me like a stonewall penalty which would have put the game to bed.
McIntyre: 7 - I was worried when Baba went off, but McIntyre came on and was great defensively, I remember him winning one header at the back post which was powerful and helped relieve the pressure.
Barker: N/A - Was hardly on the pitch. Not sure if he even touched the ball.
Overall, a vital victory and a very welcome 3 points. Oh, and I love it when we beat Preston. Also, I absolutely hate that we don't leave one player up front when defending a corner. Leave Tom Ince or Hoilett up top. If we boot the ball clear, it means we have someone to chase the ball down so it doesn't come straight back at us. It could even end up with us scoring a goal from time to time. Any one remember the last time we scored from an opponents corner?
However, enough of me seemingly complaining. Very happy with the win. Hopefully we can take some confidence into the next match. I believe we owe Birmingham a 'new manager effect' defeat.
In Hein's defence, I think that first one was going just wide until it came off Morro. One of those you might hope he'd do better but couldn’t really expect it
I guess, I think I still have a lot of love for Southwood, so perhaps I was a bit harsh in my judgement.
