First the result which you probably know was 3.1 to Preston. Bottom line is they were a stronger more physical and a well organised defensively minded team.They deserved to win and it could have been more if they had accpted chances when we gave the ball away a lot in the first 20 minutes.Partly their good pressing and partly our poor passing.
Ian Lawlor made 2 or 3 very good saves in this spell as well as we seem to take a long time to settle.They also were caught off side a few times to their annoyance and hit the post once. All our attempts going forward hardly made a dent until one break from CT gave him half a chance which was deflected over.Basically our midfield struggled for any control as their middle played quite deep so there was little room.Right on half time a good break down the left by Suarez gave the ball to Scapuzzi to cross but Drury just couldnt convert at the far post.
That as it for CT at half time. He clearly isnt 100% fit but doesnt look that bad.He needs as much time on the pitch in games as thats where het gets fitness back.So it might be a slow process.Maybe after he went off Preston pushed up a bit more because they seemed to be more threatening from the off in the 2nd half and after 65 broke through our high line for the center forward to just run on and smash home.Great for them but we just got it wrong and and had no cover for a simple knock through the middle.
So many of our attacking attempts were either poor crosses or attempts at threading the impossible ball. From nowhere though Suarez found Scapuzzi in the D and with nobody challenging him he turned and found the corner of the net.Sweet goal from a player who had been anonymous.Then they got a pen as their centre back got a kick in the face.All down to 2 players leaving a bouncing ball to each other.
Their 3rd goal was another where the 2 centre backs just got it wrong as along ball was headed on and we clearly lacked recovery pace.We tried hard and created a few bits and pieces but 3.1 was about right.Very good experience but youth was exposed
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