Husband and Robson in the top 3 rated players.
Preston had 112 shots? No wonder people thought we were abject, I watched the wrong game.
The biggest difference between in the stats is fouls conceded. But we lacked quality in the final third, no final ball. It was, for me, a combination of Preston going 'above and beyond' the rules of the game at times (Bowler for one got no protection), and our lack of quality in our delivery into the box.
Gazette: When it was put to Critchley that perhaps Preston were happy for his side to have the ball, he told The Gazette:
“Steady Matt, steady. (!)
“We had control of the game because of the way we played. We felt that in the first-half and that’s what I said at half-time.
“I told the players if we kept playing, which is hard in this atmosphere but we handled the occasion well…we got control of the game the longer the first-half went on and I said at half-time if we keep playing we’ll keep pushing them back.
“If we keep switching the play and keep finding the space they keep giving us, then we’ll get up and around the final third often which is what we did.
“But when we got to the final third, we failed. Whether it was Keshi (Anderson) crossing to the back post where Josh (Bowler) was free, or Hubby (James Husband) to Gary (Madine) when Gary was free or whether it’s a shot from the edge of the box or Josh shooting, we’ve had more than enough moments in the final third to produce a decisive moments and we failed.”
Critch didn't make excuses - he could have cited the additional injuries and key players missing, and some of the Preston tactics and lack of refereeing, but he didn't. And he didn't blame the players either, and I think he was right not to, personally. And I think his response to Matt is fair. we had the possession and the control, but failed to make anything happen on the night.
Not sure why. Surely they’re just opinions like any other
