02 Apr 2017 19:11:36
Just a few thoughts regarding yesterday's game. Early days yet but I'm impressed by Warbo tactically. He certainly gave Grayson the hurry up forcing him to change personnel and formation at half time because the team 8th in the table and with the best home record were being overrun outmaneovured and out thought by our man. Also unlike Montainier and other previous incumbents he's very positive with his substitutions and sees the game very much as a 14 man operation. Like England rugbys Eddie Jones he has his "finishers" and can tell players to really play at high tempo for an hour knowing they haven't got to pace themselves thereby enhancing the performances of the high energy players like Britt Bereton Clough and Ward. Even when drawing his instinct is to get on the front foot with attacking substitutions like Cash Vellios and Ward to go for the winner. Finally his passing pressing possession based game looks good and is effective. It's not tic tac Spainish/ Barcelona type passing either but quick and usually forwards at pace. Should help our porous defence also as the opposition can't score if they haven't got the ball! Again like Rugby Union we will aim keep the ball through the phases and look for a mismatch ie to pit a fast winger against a slow forward or a tall player against a shorter one for the up and under or a monster of a lock forward against a small outside centre. I'm reminded of the story of a player who once complained to Arsene Wenger that in training they kept the ball for 20 passes and were back where they started to which Wenger replied "yes gentleman but the opposition aren't"! In other words they'd been pulled all over the place chasing the ball and there would be gaps to exploit! Am still ambivilent about team selection ie Clough or Osbourne not both starting should be either / or likewise Ward or Carayol ditto Bereton or Peirreira but apart from that minor quibble well done Mr Warburton!

1.) 02 Apr 2017
02 Apr 2017 20:18:03
I think Osborn will drop down the pecking order - not direct enough. He'd do well in a Nigel Clough team.

2.) 02 Apr 2017
02 Apr 2017 23:33:28
Warburton didn't pick up on what Preston had done to change their formation until after they scored, so much for tactical awareness. Osborn is a gem and will remain so despite attempts on here to trash him.

3.) 03 Apr 2017
03 Apr 2017 09:43:54
I agree bsered that Benny Osbourne is a gem and I'm a big fan of his. I always appreciate his attitude and 110 per cent workmates but I just think his best position is attacking midfielder just behind the striker where Clough is clearly a rival for that role. However Benny is very versatile and will do his best whether out wide left or defensive midfielder but he's just not as effective as in the hole. It's healthy to have competition for places. As far as the Lilywhites goal is co concerned that was caused by us losing the ball on halfway then a top class finish by a very good on loan Chelsea star Mcgeady. Warbo didn't change tactics or formation even after the goal and we still dominated and were unlucky not to win against a very good Preston team on their own ground. As Sir Brian used to say let them worry about us not us worrying about them!

4.) 03 Apr 2017
03 Apr 2017 10:10:10
I wish Benny Osbourne did have 110 per cent workmates we would never be struggling as we are! I meant workrate bloody spellchecker!

5.) 03 Apr 2017
03 Apr 2017 11:42:27
Mcgeady is on loan from Everton not Chelsea.

6.) 03 Apr 2017
03 Apr 2017 16:57:31
I stand corrected as the man with the orthopaedic boot said!

7.) 03 Apr 2017
03 Apr 2017 18:13:13
StokeyRed

Nice one.