On Tuesday night, the SoL saw possibly the worst refereeing it’s ever seen. Luckily, we saw one of the best goals we've ever seen there too.
Last week Marco was back at the Stadium of Light for our 5000th, talking about his heart condition. A reminder that even if you think you're fit as a fiddle make sure you look after yourself. Also a bizarre reminder that someone called Marco Gabbiadini doesn't sound like the 3rd Mario brother when he speaks. That's on me though. He spoke about our honest team and the fragility a youthful side brings. As far as the squad goes I'd totally agree, I'm glad we've started rested some of the lads and given more minutes to some deserving names. Considering the job the Lads have done compared to the last couple of seasons they haven't just 'filled boots', they have set a new standard. Marco also reminded us we've 'completed' Wembley now, so it shouldn't be as daunting. Famous last words n that.
While Patto has made some excellent stops this season he's recent drawn some criticism due to his mistakes, including his fear of leaving the six-yard box during set pieces and scoring with his arse. Yes he's built like a fridge but speaking as an ex-white-goods-handler there have been occasions when he's about been as sturdy as one. He's a corker of a shot stopper, but you can't score an own goal with your arse and raise an eyebrow or too. Finally - I am a fan of his, honest - I can't help but doubt any keeper who doesn't shout like a nutter, just look at the best of the best and tell me I'm wrong.
RLBs came out with another corker during his press conference on Monday mentioning our 'lows and ups'. He was right though. An evolving squad, especially so young, must learn to deal with injuries because as we've seen in the past it can tear a teams season apart.
Anyway I'll crack on, as my last match report was delayed by a rare daytime drinking session in my home town. During which, my mates and I stumbled on a portal to 1990's Blackpool masquerading as a pub. If you've been to Bish you'll know just which pub it is and it's brilliant. You can guess in the comments.
Our team news showed we were starting somewhat where we left off. Tommy, Eli and Wilson all with starts, plus Cirkin was back in. We'd seen some decent link-up play last week, we hoped we'd see more...
7:45pm, Tuesday kick off at the SoL. Feels normal now.
The match started off with oomph which lead to an instant free kick against us. An early sign that we wouldn't be making things easy for ourselves on the night.
I want to begin by saying I know we made a lot of mistakes in the game, but on more than one occasion I was baffled by what Jobe's role was. Sometimes he hovered close to the wing to support Tommy and left gaps. He sat deeper but didn't press, he pointed at spaces to be closed down, but he didn't close them down himself.
We left too much time for PNE to get organised. We didn't have a great night so not a lot of this is pretty. Instead of the good old pass and move we'd opted for 'pass and stand still'. We seemed to have a deliberate disinterest in winning the second ball. If this was the plan, to what end?
We had a couple of decent breaks but I’d rather have measured our energy in bursts as opposed to showing the opposition too much respect by trying to break them down over time. We should be terrifying teams like this. We had more balls in the box but our reaction time was way off.
On the half-hour mark we woke up a bit. PNE then began an approach that ultimately became the thorn in their own side – the infamous Dark Arts. This kind of nonsense, when done 'well', might fly in the Prem but as the ref got further into the game, it spoiled his time on the pitch too.
After another good opportunity crossed in, Issy rose like a salmon but sadly headed like one too. No offence to any salmon reading. We had a couple of sparks but we'd given them too much space for no reason. Half time: 0-0.
After eating the saddest looking sausage roll in Sunderland, I optimistically set my Bovril down too cool so it wouldn't be as bad if I spilt it on someone when we scored. We let them shoot wide twice. Just not good enough.
We also missed from centre stage, with Tommy heading through on goal. His first touch is a work in progress and he got over-powered a fair few times. In fairness, he hasn’t played in ages and probably still isn’t fully fit. On 58 mins Regis showed how keen he was to change things by introducing Rigg and Mundle for Mayenda and Tommy.
On 65 mins, as the opposition failed to convert after one chance, we gifted them a carbon copy crack at it again seconds later. 1-0 them. Boo. 'If you can't say owt nice, don't say owt at all'.
I understand how slowing down an opposition’s momentum works. It's not nice but there are definitely levels of subtlety with which it can be executed. PNE do not have that subtlety. This began a string of events which culminated in the ref absolutely losing the game. Preston players kept randomly lying down and refusing to leave the field. Which lead to argy bargy. Then one tried to get back on the pitch after he'd been subbed and before the other had left? Which caused more argy bargy. While this huge argument ensued and the home fans reached a fever pitch, Trai Hume just say on the east side of the pitch and watched.
Ultimately it brought the noise which finally woke us up. Dan stepped in, Cirkin stepped up and Paddy, who'd arguably been our best player all game, began playing with lightning in their veins.
Their shithousery was their undoing. As the ground came to life, it was wonderful to see the lads grab the game not just by the scruff of the neck but by the throat.
Mundle broke some ankles and hit an unstoppable shot that made the SoL erupt. 1-1 on 86 minutes. While I didn't spill my Bovril, my coat fell off and I lost my voice. The view we had from the NW stand was perfect, a goal so good we all forgot about the previous 84 minutes. For a bit, at least. This what football is all about – going from having nothing to shout about, to scoring an absolute 'top bins' worldie.
It was one of the best views of a goal at the SoL I've ever had:
Phillips v Chelsea
Redknapp v Belgium (I know)
Mundle v PNE
We closed the final nine minutes out, battering them with the red and white home masses in fine voice. I hate being negative even when there aren't many positives. But when was our last convincing win? That aside, we shut them up when they attempted the Dark Arts and proved we could do it when we needed to. We just need to do it for the next nine games straight.
Don't be a thief of joy.
Keep The Faith,
GPD
