It really was that sort of game at the Ricoh today, as the midtable titans of Preston visited the lower midtable demons of Coventry. Or rather, two distinctly mediocre sides played out a very poor match, in which the referee didn’t have a clue what’s going on. You know he’s had a bad game when both sets of fans have ironically applauded him for actually making a correct decision.
But the match was poor. The first half was ok…the second, especially if you are a Coventry fan, was absolutely atrocious. The movement off the ball didn’t exist. The marking was appalling. I genuinely wish I’d been a Peterborough fan; I would’ve probably got to the point where I’d found it funny after 90 minutes. But when 5 minutes came up, someone behind me summed up the game by saying ‘Damn, I want to go home.’
A few examples of the high quality football on show…:
Cranie refusing to use his left foot to control a ball, as he uses his right foot the ball spins out of play.
Preston’s left back Davidson…heads it right across the face of his own goal to Morrison.
Barnett tries a simple five yard pass to Wood and almost misses the ball.
McIndoe goes to control the ball and it goes under his foot.
Now everybody makes mistakes. But today was riddled with them. I could’ve done better. And that’s not just using the turn of phrase. I could have genuniely done better than them. Moving off the ball isn’t exactly difficult, but today it just didn’t happen.
And then of course the ref. His game was summed up by:
Coventry player is tackled. Ref doesn’t blow up. Coventry fans appeal. Then Coventry players appeal. Ref decides to give a freekick.
Also giving Jeffers a booking for a foul, and then not giving Preston a freekick was interesting.
Eastwood’s goal was excellent, as was his all round game. His touch was superb and he looked the biggest threat, so I would give him Coventry’s man of the match, and Parkin Preston’s man of the match, as he was far too strong all game for City’s defenders.
Ratings
Westwood – 7 – looked safe
Wright – 6 – improved as the match went on. Suspect marking.
Barnett – 4 – useless
Wood – 5 – meh…
Cranie – 6 – did alright. Marking wasn’t great.
Gunnarson – 7 – showed he has ability
Clingan – 5 – awful corners, got a needless booking.
McIndoe – 6 – did ok. Set up the goal. Not sure if he meant to.
Bell – 4 – rubbish crossing. Looked way off the pace.
Eastwood – 8 – excellent
Morrison - 5- moaned at the ref more times than he touched the ball.
Subs
Baker – 7 – had he started it could’ve been so different. He looked class.
Jeffers – 5 – wasn’t on for long, got a harsh booking.
City are safe though. Get in…
Tags: 1-1, 17/04/10, Coventry, Coventry City, PNE, Preston, Preston North End, Ricoh Arena
