Funny how suddenly when we draw with a Championship club with a late equaliser it is a good result even though after the first two friendlies many were saying results don't matter pre-season!!
Personally, I thought we were pretty poor today although fitness was good. Yes the opposition is far superior but I just don't get the play one up front tactic - all we did was give it straight back. Nors could play that role - Vaughan patently can't and didn't he make it obvious!! No link play and at sixes and sevens at the back.
Thought the new fullbacks did ok. Banks was awfully off the pace - might just be fitness but worrying. Khan gave the ball away for their goal and didn't stand out apart from that. Spearing by contrast looked like he was ready to go now. Lewis did ok when he came on. That said I wouldn't be surprised if Danns is offered a deal based on that midfield today.
Finally credit to Payne - he stayed positive all last season despite being frozen out and looked up for it today. Yes missed a 1 on 1 but so did Nors countless times and great anticipation for the goal.
Looking forward to hear what Jacko thought - given we can all watch this one...
Well, if Saturday's result was the disaster some people claimed, surely this was a triumph....
I thought it was a good performance. Preston dominated the ball in the first half, but aside from a five minute spell leading up to their goal, they did not cut through us. I thought we looked well drilled defensively, which was important after Saturday, and the shape of the side was good throughout. Both centre halves were solid and I thought Monthe was excellent, arguably our best player.
The players had clearly been told to show more belief on the ball at half time, and in the second half we played some good stuff, moving the ball crisply at times. Preston continued to create more chances but there did not look an enormous gulf between the sides, and the equaliser was deserved.
I was impressed by most of the new signings. Kahn looked very comfortable on the ball and was creative, playing a great through ball to Vaughan in the first half which was judged off side. Spearing had an impressive range of passing and seemed to get stronger as the game went on. Lewis was tidier on the ball than I expected. Both full backs looked capable and MacDonald's distribution was good.
Vaughan did struggle on his own up front but he is completely unsuited to the role. I am sure we were only using him that way in a 451 because of the strength of the opposition, and he will play in an orthodox front pairing in League Two.
Plenty of positives to take from that showing.