Lots Of Effort...

13 minutes ago, The_Ghost_Of_91 said:

Thought the team was brilliant in the first half. Then tired in the second.

 

Preston seemed bang average to me.

That's the thing, isn't it?

Even pretty average-looking Championship teams can put three past us without really breaking sweat. 

I look at the division this season and can't help but wonder where we might be had we been in a position to back Röhl with a few recruits in January and the summer.

16 minutes ago, The_Ghost_Of_91 said:

Preston seemed bang average to me.

As were Millwall in fact most teams that have beaten us have been tbh

Before the chaos ensued we needed to sort out the defence. 68 and 69 goals conceded in the last 2 seasons told us all this.

Unfortunately not only could we sort out the defence we had the heart ripped out of our attack with the caveat we couldn’t do f**k all about that either.

My biggest fear is the damage this car crash is doing to all the players at the club including the academy lads that are suffering beatings on a regular basis as well.

We’re going to have back to back relegations if the EFL don’t scrub that fee restriction embargo.

As for Pedersen, this season is going to do for him as well. Difficult task undoubtedly but his reluctance to use his bench regardless of the lack of quality is proving a problem.  Will new owners stick with him? As each game goes by it seems more and more unlikely IMO?

If we had taken our chances we could have been out of sight. We have a very limited squad but we produced probably our best home performance of the season and no one could have argued if we had won.  

Not a performance to cherry-pick players out for criticism 

30 minutes ago, epton1867 said:

I think we can match most teams in league for 60 mins but then we run out of steam and not much options from bench

As Basil would say “subject the bleeding obvious”

That will be 90% of the games this season. Get used to it.

29 minutes ago, epton1867 said:

I think we can match most teams in league for 60 mins but then we run out of steam and not much options from bench

Yes, you’re right to an extent, but why do we “run out of steam” - we’re not playing any more games than other sides in the division.

Might help a bit though if Pederson used his bench a bit more, even though there’s no real quality there.

1 hour ago, Kew Owl said:

Yes, you’re right to an extent, but why do we “run out of steam” - we’re not playing any more games than other sides in the division.

 

Might help a bit though if Pederson used his bench a bit more, even though there’s no real quality there.

I think you may have answered your own question there. 

Hopefully the likes of Cooper and Redmond can stay fit and give us genuine options to share the game time around a bit more now. 

If Chalobah and Bernard could return to the matchday squad as well, that would really help.

1 hour ago, Kew Owl said:

Yes, you’re right to an extent, but why do we “run out of steam” - we’re not playing any more games than other sides in the division.

 

Might help a bit though if Pederson used his bench a bit more, even though there’s no real quality there.

Answered your question 

Disappointed with Pederson and his tactics today, second half.

Boring sideways possession second half with no attempt to get players to the byline or put crosses in.

Subs way too late AGAIN. He said Cooper and Redman could only do 15 mins but why have players ont the bench if you aren't going to use them.

Also it was a joke at the end with Alao - he was stripped and ready to go on, Pederson must have been speaking to him 5 mins, then he's stood freezing his knackers off for another 5 mins before Pederson decides not to put him on. What a shambles from Pederson.

3 hours ago, The_Ghost_Of_91 said:

Thought the team was brilliant in the first half. Then tired in the second.

 

Preston seemed bang average to me.

They've been bang average for years which is why they stay in the Championship in no danger of going up or down. 

The depressing fact is, that is as good as it gets today.

We played with a real tempo, pressed with a high intensity and created some fantastic chances. Scored two great goals, missed three golden opportunities...But we will always concede chances, and the opposition will always have more quality, more options and more legs late on in games.

I enjoyed today, despite the inevitability of another defeat against yet another very ordinary opposition (had we just kept the core of the squad from last season, I genuinely think we'd have had half a chance of a playoff push this season).

The players look done with it all...at the end of the game, the demoralising impact it is having on them is clear to see...there's only so long you can keep going out there, giving it your absolute all, but getting nothing in return. 

I think there's a very real possibility (especially as it now seems ever more likely that any change of ownership will happen after the transfer window is shut) that we finish the season on minus points. It's going to be one helluva slog until April.

2 hours ago, Deluded Owl said:

Before the chaos ensued we needed to sort out the defence. 68 and 69 goals conceded in the last 2 seasons told us all this.

Yep. We’ve conceded plenty under Röhl and Pedersen. I think we need some new personnel at the back (when allowed) but it probably isn’t just a back 4//5 issue… the whole team is responsible for defending 

21 hours ago, epton1867 said:

Imo the 2nd goal he should have come out and claimed cross and 3rd one again imo he should have done a lot better but not getting on no players backs it is what it is 

made 2 or 3 reyt saves first half though, swings and roundabouts