v Preston North End (a) - 21/11/25

[USABlue]

2 hours ago, 47er said:

We're never going to have a better reserve keeper than Pears and I thought he did OK. I wouldn't want him as first choice

but thank God he wasn't sold by the gamblers who run us (as was their intention.)

He isn't Toth but Toth isn't available.

He did well overall but he is so shaky.  Made 3 really good stops.  The shot in the 2nd minute I thought was going in but he stopped it without putting it on a plate.  Goid double save later too thiugh the 2nd stop was if his own doing and a touch fortunate.  If you gonna punch make contact.  Couple of dicey clearances too and there was their goal he perhaps could have done better.  All's well that ends well

[...]

1 hour ago, lraC said:

It’s been a very tough 3 weeks for me and my family, having lost a close family member, taken way too soon.

I haven’t been able to bring myself to post on here or watch the games, until last night, but this brought a smile to my face for the first time since.

Thanks Rovers and RIP Luke. Xx 

Sorry to hear that matey x 

We put on a good show and raised the roof off Dumpdale 😊

Edited 10 hours ago by ...

[Wheelton Blue]

What a splendid night out, well played Rovers.

Absolutely terrific backing in the away end, which Ismael rightly pointed out.

[...]

55 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Still buzzing this morning,you cant beat the feeling of beating another local side on their manor...

BUT can we beat QPR at home? 🙃

Play like that at home and there's no reason we can't beat anyone in our own gaff. Sustain the association form build the hone form and we'll be top 6 in no time. 

6 points away from 6th place.

9 points away from 22nd place. 

[Ossydave]

15 minutes ago, Wheelton Blue said:

What a splendid night out, well played Rovers.

Absolutely terrific backing in the away end, which Ismael rightly pointed out.

You could tell in Millers post match interview he was hinting at the poor crowds and atmosphere contributing to the poor home form and it’s hard to disagree

[Riversider28]

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

12 hours ago, Silas said:

Is it me or is every tackle a push or a grab.

Very handsy this Preston team. 

It’s creeping into the game at all levels. City started the fashion.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

9 minutes ago, Ossydave said:

You could tell in Millers post match interview he was hinting at the poor crowds and atmosphere contributing to the poor home form and it’s hard to disagree

But the crowd's will only increase when the team start's winning..and then there's the off field bollox.

God only knows what the crowd will be v QPR!

Edited 10 hours ago by SIMON GARNERS 194

[Ossydave]

3 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

But the crowd's will only increase when the team start's winning..and then there's the off field bollox.

God only knows what the crowd will be v QPR!

I know and I’m not criticising either those that attend and create little atmosphere or indeed those who choose not to attend, but the point remains that it’s a pretty crappy place to play. Ultimately we all know the main reason of course, the wankers in Pune. 

[47er]

Yes, there are 'fans' who believe that its up turn up in big numbers and shout loudly in support of the lads.

They have the wrong way round. The Club provides the entertainment, if we a) like it and b) think its value for money---we turn up.

They have to provide the package first, we aren't obligated in any way.

[Tomphil2]

He needs to hold his bosses to account om the crowd thing they've killed the Blackburn End iv'e never seen it as empty for league games.

Stupid targeted pricing policy designed to squeeze the most popular area for local adults.

The ONLY way to boost rovers crowds is do what North End and Bolton did a few years ago with season tickets, price according to your local market not national statistics.

By the way, when they had a big crowd and atmosphere last time out they flopped as did Preston last night so maybe just maybe it's really all down to the team management and recruitment.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

9 hours ago, Upside Down said:

We looked the opposite of the Eustace team today. Going forward we looked like we could score and created a lot of chances. Lots of crosses coming in as well, two of which we scored from. 

Defensively though we were not convincing and the goal was entirely down to shit defending and a really shit keeper. If we sort out the defence then there's a slim chance of a late playoff push, although bear in mind we haven't had our annual January sabotage yet.

Playing with two up front helps.

[sharpysharps86]

Well, this team continue to surprise me with their away form. Also couldn't be happier to be proven wrong on the set pieces comment I made on here yesterday. Two well worked goals off the training ground.

It was definitely the right call to stay with a back 3, and Pratt seemed to cope ok given he was chucked in at the deep end. Maintaining this shape with injuries / suspensions with Rovers thin squad is going to be difficult.

Delighted that Gudjohnsen bagged another, hopefully he can keep up a consistent run of scoring.

Hopefully the lads can kick on and start turning that home form around now, starting with QPR on Wednesday.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I’ve only seen the highlights so I can’t really comment on performances. I thought the header from Gudjohnsen was top notch, they are very easy to get wrong at that angle. The lad can finish, not much doubt about that. Gueye should have scored with his header, how can a big guy be so poor at heading the ball ? 
 

All in all a great win. I couldn’t see that coming at 8.00 pm with so many players being out for one reason or another.  100% effort from every player and that’s all I ever ask for from Rovers players. As I’ve said before the players are playing for the manager so we might has well get behind him. The set piece coach is earning his corn, that’s good to see. Top marks for Miller playing after flying all over the world last week. 

Edited 9 hours ago by Tyrone Shoelaces

[chaddyrovers]

I thought we didnt want to be too open or gift them loads of chances in the first 30 mins hence why we didnt attack too much. After that we dominated the game and were deserved winners. 

Sherwood's comments about Rovers's performance were spot on. 

Still cant believe Whiteman got away with that clear red card 

Still buzzing about the win and performance. 

My PNE's supporting work colleagues were full of praise for our performance and slamming their own team's performance. 

Edited 9 hours ago by chaddyrovers

[Elrovers]

Have a few mates from Preston and a colleague. Was lovely to give em a bit of stick today and rightly so. 

[...]

12 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

I thought we didnt want to be too open or gift them loads of chances in the first 30 mins hence why we didnt attack too much. After that we dominated the game and were deserved winners. 

Sherwood's comments about Rovers's performance were spot on. 

Still cant believe Whiteman got away with that clear red card 

Still buzzing about the win and performance. 

My PNE's supporting work colleagues were full of praise for our performance and slamming their own team's performance. 

Only praising us because they know where they belong.

As Sherwelood said they're riding in a false position. Everyone knows PNEs football isn't top 6 stuff. They'll drop soon enough, and with the points being close that top box will be playing switcheroo toward the end of the season. 

[Elrovers]

6 minutes ago, ... said:

Only praising us because they know where they belong.

As Sherwelood said they're riding in a false position. Everyone knows PNEs football isn't top 6 stuff. They'll drop soon enough, and with the points being close that top box will be playing switcheroo toward the end of the season. 

100% they’ll drop off. They just don’t have the depth. Have a couple of quality players that’s about it. Good manager, don’t get me wrong, but squad wise, horrendous. I’m just glad we’ve finally put them in their place and just dominated them as we should. 

Edited 9 hours ago by Elrovers

[RoverCanada]

1 hour ago, USABlue said:

He did well overall but he is so shaky.  Made 3 really good stops.  The shot in the 2nd minute I thought was going in but he stopped it without putting it on a plate.  Goid double save later too thiugh the 2nd stop was if his own doing and a touch fortunate.  If you gonna punch make contact.  Couple of dicey clearances too and there was their goal he perhaps could have done better.  All's well that ends well

Pears is a below-average Championship keeper. Nothing more, nothing less.

And that includes spells where he's been terrible or where he's been excellent (Nov-Dec 2024 under Eustace springs to mind)

Can imagine the bean counters have been fuming that he's sitting on the bench on a decent-ish wage (if it wasn't for Toth's injury, I presume they were going to try to flog him off again in January. To be fair, now that Toth has supplanted him, they probably should try to reallocate the budget accordingly...), but could certainly do worse for a backup keeper.

[MarkBRFC]

I thought after a rough 25 minutes or so we took control of the game and were much the better side. 

We just played football and they didnt like it, they tried to kick us off the park and intimidate and bully us and it didn't work at all, we stood up to it very well.

Morishita, Montgomery, Tronstad and Hedges were superb I thought. Full of energy, determination and a bit of quality at times too.

Pratt deserves a special mention though, the lad was playing against Congleton Town 2 months ago and to come into a game like that for your professional debut and not look out of place or too shakey, I thought was brilliant. 

Need to sort that home form out now.

Edited 8 hours ago by MarkBRFC

[Parsonblue]

Following Rovers away from home this season, Charlton apart, has been a real joy.  We look solid at the back and swift in attack.  I thought some of our football last night was a joy to watch.  The interplay between Ohashi and Morishita really caused North End no amount of problems.  Ohashi's workrate is unbelievable as was that of Tronstad and Hedges.  These three players epitomise how Ismael wants to play and it's so enjoyable to watch.

I thought young Pratt did ever so well on his debut and looked the part.  Prior to the game I heard fans criticising his selection and saying what a state we are in when a kid has to play.  Yet I remember other youngsters in the past being thrown in - England, Pickering, Metcalfe, Faz, Barker, Jones etc - and it proved the making of them.  There is no point in having an Academy if these youngsters don't get a chance.  Yes, they'll make mistakes but that's part of the learning process.  

The home form remains a conundrum, but if we can get that right we could have a more than decent season.  This team is nowhere near as bad as some are making out.

[neophox]

We now got a long break until wednesday night. We need 3 points at home against QPR.

[bazza]

Maybe they should play the home games in that beautiful gold kit too. They look at each other and think they're Brazil.

[sharpysharps86]

26 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Still cant believe Whiteman got away with that clear red card 

He set out to hurt Baradji with that challenge, no doubt.

[neophox]

Just now, Parsonblue said:

Following Rovers away from home this season, Charlton apart, has been a real joy.  We look solid at the back and swift in attack.  I thought some of our football last night was a joy to watch.  The interplay between Ohashi and Morishita really caused North End no amount of problems.  Ohashi's workrate is unbelievable as was that of Tronstad and Hedges.  These three players epitomise how Ismael wants to play and it's so enjoyable to watch.

I thought young Pratt did ever so well on his debut and looked the part.  Prior to the game I heard fans criticising his selection and saying what a state we are in when a kid has to play.  Yet I remember other youngsters in the past being thrown in - England, Pickering, Metcalfe, Faz, Barker, Jones etc - and it proved the making of them.  There is no point in having an Academy if these youngsters don't get a chance.  Yes, they'll make mistakes but that's part of the learning process.  

The home form remains a conundrum, but if we can get that right we could have a more than decent season.  This team is nowhere near as bad as some are making out.

Alebiousu again had an massive game... could had scored some goals from his crosses.