[choirboy]

I thought that we edged Preston for the first 36 minutes tonight. They committed a lot of fouls during this period which was an indication of how well our boys were doing. Donacien continues to look like a really 'classy' player to me. Sykes was doing well at centre back and Hughes was using his experience effectively. Early on both our wingers were on the attack constantly and both were were working very hard when back tracking too. The first Preston goal was a soft one to give away and I thought that our keeper should have saved it. I was right behind it in the Clayton End and it came form the first real threat by Preston down their right wing, a cut back from the goal line towards the penalty spot, (my favourite move), but their lad didn't hit it all that cleanly, about five feet to Chapman's right. He got a hand to it but it dribbled in! Their second goal finished the match as a contest and was just down to bad marking. When Preston subbed nine players after about an hour they upped the pace and produced some really good quality football! Matty Pearson was outstanding for us in the second half and fully deserved his late goal.
I think that the experience of playing Huddrsfield, PNE and also the young Everton team was great for our boys and their were a number of times tonight when we matched the quality of passing that these higher league teams produce consistently. We need to replicate that consistency in our play and I do believe that our squad is getting very close to where we need it to be in order to make a challenge for a high League Two placing again this season.
IMHO we still need another Goal Keeper to be our No1. Of even more importance though is our need for a clinical striker up front who can give us 20+ goals next season. The sort of forward who can be anonymous for 88 minutes but score a couple of 'Tap Ins' to win a match!
I am certain that Coley and the backroom staff are working on this and will come up with the goods!
ON STANLEY ON