Cherries: Preston punish Howe’s men

5:32pm Saturday 16th February 2013 in Latest Sport Photograph of the Author By Ian Wadley

PRESTON netted two first-half goals to upset the odds and deservedly end Cherries’ five-match winning run this afternoon.

Cherries looked out of sorts for much of the League One clash as they failed to hit their recent high standards.

Stuart Beavon gave the hosts the upper hand on 19 minutes when he beat Shwan Jalal with a fine low drive.

Bailey Wright struck from close range on 31 minutes as Preston gave the division’s leaders a mountain to climb.

Having seen his men fail to seriously test North End keeper Declan Rudd throughout the first half, Howe wasted no time in making substitutions and he also tinkered with Cherries’ formation.

But there was no way back as Cherries suffered a rare defeat, only their second in the league since Howe’s Dean Court return.

Cherries boss Howe made three changes to the team which won at Crewe on Tuesday.

He handed a debut to loan recruit Marcos Painter at left-back, allowing Matt Ritchie to play in his preferred position on the right flank.

Shaun MacDonald and Marc Pugh both returned to the starting line-up, with Richard Hughes, Eunan O’Kane and Josh McQuoid all dropping to the bench.

Out-of-form Preston, under the caretaker management of John Dreyer following Graham Westley’s midweek exit, made no fewer than seven changes.

But defying the form-book and the odds, it was the hosts who made most of the early running.

Brett Pitman saw a shot deflected wide following a clever Ritchie free-kick but North End then soon began to impose themselves on a bobbly, difficult pitch.

Impressive Preston captain John Welsh lashed over from 20 yards before beginning the move which saw the home side edge ahead on 19 minutes.

His neat play on the left led North End into Cherries territory and after Beavon had latched on to a loose ball, the one-time Dean Court transfer target made no mistake, lashing low beyond Jalal from 20 yards.

Spurred on by a vocal Deepdale crowd, Preston came close moments later when Jalal was forced to parry and gather at the second attempt after a Lee Holmes drive.

Things took another turn for the worse for Cherries when Preston doubled their advantage on 31 minutes.

Nicky Wroe’s free-kick to the far post was not cleared and as the ball landed inside the six-yard box, defender Wright was on hand to scramble home.

Howe called on O’Kane with Pugh making way but Cherries struggled to generate any rhythm as the half drew to a close. Their best effort, Harry Arter’s ambitious long-range volley, failed to trouble keeper Rudd.

Bidding to find a route back into the clash, Howe replaced Painter with Fogden at the interval as Cherries switched to a three-man defence with Fogden and Ritchie as wing-backs.

Arter produced a goal-saving challenge to deny Will Hayhurst after MacDonald had been dispossessed, before Jalal made an exceptional stop to keep out Beavon’s powerful 25-yarder.

Howe then introduced Tubbs as a 53rd-minute replacement for Arter as Cherries went all out for a second-half comeback.

Fogden saw a shot deflected wide as Cherries forced a series of corners in their most promising spell of the match mid-way through the second period.

Both Steve Cook and MacDonald headed over when presented with reasonable opportunities but Cherries never hit their stride and were unable to find the goal which might have tested Preston’s resolve.

North End: (4-4-2) Rudd; Keane, Wright, Huntington, Buchanan; Holmes (Garner, 76), Wroe, Welsh, Hayhurst (Monakana, 84); King, Beavon (Beardsley, 76). Unused subs: Robertson, Procter, Foster, Stuckmann (g/k).

Booked: King

Cherries: (4-4-2) Jalal; Francis, Cook, Seaborne, Painter (Fogden, h-t); Ritchie, MacDonald, Arter (Tubbs, 53), Pugh (O’Kane, 31); Pitman, Grabban. Unused subs: McQuoid, Fraser, Hughes, Allsop (g/k).

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham)

Attendance: 8,899

Comments(47)

Oakdale12 says...
5:37pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Bad day at the office, still top ,3 points next week at DC. Come on u reds.

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nicoAFCB says...
5:40pm Sat 16 Feb 13

One to forget! But let's not forget where Eddie has taken us from! We are still very much in the chase for automatic promotion and there is plenty of football to be played! UTC!

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Mike Oxbig says...
5:42pm Sat 16 Feb 13

On our performances this year, we simply are not yet good enough for the Championship. Maybe it would be a different story if Daniels and Elphick would be fit.... But I certainly haven't seen a stylish and convincing performance from us of late. Our league position is obviously flattering us, but just look at te number of games played column. Regards.

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STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road says...
5:52pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Mike Oxbig wrote:
On our performances this year, we simply are not yet good enough for the Championship. Maybe it would be a different story if Daniels and Elphick would be fit.... But I certainly haven't seen a stylish and convincing performance from us of late. Our league position is obviously flattering us, but just look at te number of games played column. Regards.
Obviously not at MK game then, although admittedly against 10 men for 45 mins. Cheer up mate, this is football, you cant win em all. STILL TOP.!!!!!!!!!!

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Tom Griffiths of Bransgore says...
5:55pm Sat 16 Feb 13

The team had to have an off-day at some time ,but we have had a wonderful run of results since the return of Eddie and Jason for which we must be grateful.Still top, and lots of games to play.
May even be a blessing in disguise to not have to worry about keeping our long unbeaten run going.
Big crowd at "Golden Sands" next week will get the team over this small setback.

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The Renegade Master says...
5:58pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Just when you thought the team had cracked it and were heading for the Championship, they put in a dismal display like this to remind us all that we are not anywhere as good as some people would like to think.
On the plus side Eddie Howe's teams usually bounce back quickly so three points against Sheffield United is now an absolute must next weekend or we are likely to be just vying for a play off place.

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Couchy125 says...
6:08pm Sat 16 Feb 13

The Renegade Master wrote:
Just when you thought the team had cracked it and were heading for the Championship, they put in a dismal display like this to remind us all that we are not anywhere as good as some people would like to think. On the plus side Eddie Howe's teams usually bounce back quickly so three points against Sheffield United is now an absolute must next weekend or we are likely to be just vying for a play off place.
Play offs will do me. Wembley here we come. Get ready for a good day out. Up the cherries.

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lymicherry says...
6:27pm Sat 16 Feb 13

A timely wake-up call for the overexcited children who were doing premature laps of honour on this forum after we nicked it at Crewe on Tuesday. Any two of a dozen teams could still make the automatic promotion spots, given a half-decent run. I still fancy us strongly for the play-offs at worst, though the next three home games will go a long way towards deciding whether we are credible title chasers. Today's result was undeniably disappointing, but let's keep it in perspective; few would have grumbled if we'd ground out draws at Gresty Road and Deepdale, but a win and a defeat leaves us a point better off than that, so I'm certainly not complaining.

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afc Alan says...
6:29pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Not too good - listening to the commentary we were well beaten and never in it. We simply appear to have not turned up today.
Looking forward to Sheffield United next week.
If we had lost at Crewe and then won today to go top we would be over the moon.
Keep confident.

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AFCBade says...
6:30pm Sat 16 Feb 13

One game too far for the cherries: seem a few need a rest this week. Pleased no midweek game for us so Pugh, okane and arter can rest up. 3 of next 4 are at home against teams pushing for promotion so in our hands. Also a nice sequence of nearby away games: a month to oldham and then no more for another month.

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dc addict says...
7:11pm Sat 16 Feb 13

As Eddie said recently, we just can't afford to have a dodgy spell but in truth we are going off the boil, albeit only marginally. Meanwhile here come little old Yeovil, currently the league's form team.
It's now a real dogfight and, as ever, our injuries are long lasting and to our key players.
Automatic promotion always was a huge ask and we fans have no right to expect it. To reach the lottery play offs is still a great effort but achieving even that will require another good run of results.

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dustbindanny says...
7:31pm Sat 16 Feb 13

I haven't been on here for sometime now, but today,s display was abysmal. I know we should,nt expect to win every game, but come on , we had 3(three) proven strikers on in the second half and not one shot on target to make the preston keeper earn his salary. One of their goals came from a twenty yard shot, did any of our players reciprocate? We. Are still top of the league but on this performance even yeovil, a team with no money to spend ,will. Have the last laugh.at least we have home advantage against our nearest rival,s !

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oxoncherry2 says...
7:51pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Let's keep calm please! If we lose the next four games we will still be in the playoffs, taking into account the poor run the rest of the top teams are having Yeovil excepted.

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Afcbpete says...
7:52pm Sat 16 Feb 13

We were never going to win every game, it's a huge disappointment, but still top for however long. They've worked miracles to get us to where we are today, what happens happens, we just carry on and support Eddie/Jason and the squad. More annoyed that my Adblocker does not appear to be working, anyone else got the same problem... UTCIAD

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white 147 says...
8:18pm Sat 16 Feb 13

This defeat was coming, the portsmouth and crewe games were not great but managed to win. today was dreadfull and a big wake up call and proves there is still lots of work to do, loosing to a team like that.

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jakeysredd says...
8:21pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Injuries at a crucial time, no Elphic for four weeks and some poor replacement at left back, not a good day, same old story when the home team havnt won at home since september and sack there manager, never felt confident today, We can bounce back and win the next five like we did after the Walsall defeat,

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Strawbs_78 says...
8:33pm Sat 16 Feb 13

I wouldn't say our league position flatters us but today was certainly a reality check. If the teams below us win their games in hand, we'll be seventh. Im not saying we wont finish in the top two, but the first priority has to be to make sure we finish in the top 6. We've come so far but i think we all knew a result like this was coming, with all due respect to preston though i didnt think it would be today. Next two games are massive, especially next saturday. utciad

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nonnogeppetto says...
8:44pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Afcbpete wrote:
We were never going to win every game, it's a huge disappointment, but still top for however long. They've worked miracles to get us to where we are today, what happens happens, we just carry on and support Eddie/Jason and the squad. More annoyed that my Adblocker does not appear to be working, anyone else got the same problem... UTCIAD
Agree with you about we were never going to win every game and share your disappointment.

I had some serious problems about ads popping up everywhere I eventually discovered that my firewall had been turned (by whom I don't know) which I eventually fixed so at the moment things are not too bad.You may want to check it it can be found in your Control Panel.

And of course make sure your virus system is working properly.

Smhinto did predict a banana skin and lets hope things get back to winning ways...UTCIAD

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raybren says...
8:56pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Elphick and Daniels have probably been
two of our best performers this season.
Their loss is bound to give us problems,we have got away with it until today.Now comes the acid test @home
to Blades and Sky Blues.

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mossy 1 says...
8:56pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Despair not,promotion form is an average of two points per game,despite our fantastic form to get us to where we are, a return of 10points every five games(three wins,a draw and a defeat)from now on will see us promoted.I`m sure that given the run we have been on ,that that target of results needed for the auto places can easily be not only maintained but exceeded.

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Bmthboys says...
9:22pm Sat 16 Feb 13

My god,we lost one game people.how is it the end??we were always gona lose anuva game.if we beat shef u and Coventry we WILL go up automatic.keep the faith!utciad

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Bmthboys says...
9:27pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Mike Oxbig wrote:
On our performances this year, we simply are not yet good enough for the Championship. Maybe it would be a different story if Daniels and Elphick would be fit.... But I certainly haven't seen a stylish and convincing performance from us of late. Our league position is obviously flattering us, but just look at te number of games played column. Regards.
Don't U hate it when people sign off REGARDS?just means they know ther full of s@&t!

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jakeysredd says...
9:28pm Sat 16 Feb 13

oxoncherry2 wrote:
Let's keep calm please! If we lose the next four games we will still be in the playoffs, taking into account the poor run the rest of the top teams are having Yeovil excepted.
Amazing form from Yeovil, when I watched them pre-season at Poole town thought they would struggle to stay up, even when we took six points off of them thought they were poor, think our run in will be a tough time, need to bounce back quick after todays poor performance,

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trevsheadband says...
9:29pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Very subdued performance today, no pressure put on a team who hadn't won at home for 4 months, hopefully just a blip, worried about our makeshift defence though.

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MidlandExile says...
9:44pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Went to game today and it was truly disappointing but no excuses. A poor playing surface coupled with Preston working their socks off and closing us down at every opportunity and in every area of the field meant we never had time to take control and impose ourselves. They were obviously highly motivated following Westley's departure and never let up from the word go. However, one poor performance does not make us a bad side. Plenty of points to be won and lost so today needs to be kept in perspective.

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big_afcb_fan says...
10:05pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Not a good day at the office, sort it out next week EH or we will be in $h*t next Satuday when the blunts turn up! gulp.

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scottie190 says...
10:52pm Sat 16 Feb 13

not impressive today but one game we definitely miss Daniels and Elphick, we don't have any other players of their skills. We have to lift them next Saturday and get a result against the Blades

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scottie190 says...
10:55pm Sat 16 Feb 13

not impressive today but one game we definitely miss Daniels and Elphick, we don't have any other players of their skills. We have to lift them next Saturday and get a result against the Blades

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rogthedodge123 says...
11:17pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Mike Oxbig wrote:
On our performances this year, we simply are not yet good enough for the Championship. Maybe it would be a different story if Daniels and Elphick would be fit.... But I certainly haven't seen a stylish and convincing performance from us of late. Our league position is obviously flattering us, but just look at te number of games played column. Regards.
I disagree as we have produced some classy football to get us to the top and as for todays game no doubt Eddie was pacing the team by bringing Pugh off to ensure victories against Sheffield and Coventry knowing that you cant win every game,we will win this league easily I have no doubt about that and deservedly so.

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ASM says...
11:19pm Sat 16 Feb 13

we may have too go back to the team that beat pompy. i thought rithcie did a great job for us at left back and the back 4 and jalal looked solid with him there. have pugh and mcquoid or fogden on the wings, pitman and grabban up front and mcdonald and arter in centre midfield.
massive games coming up and at home too. the preston result is a wake up call there is still hard work ahead

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rogthedodge123 says...
11:45pm Sat 16 Feb 13

I just dont get it
Why are there so many comments doubting the cherries to succeed,after 11 games played we were 4th from bottom and now sit top of the league,which Im sure not many teams have achieved,It is just an incredible run and you can only do that if you are a very good team with a very good manager and the notion that the bubble will burst is ridiculous,the team cannot win every game and all title winning sides have a bad day at the office,Eddie is a very shrewd manager and today was all about pacing the team for the next 2 home games why else would you take Pugh and Arter off, so lets stop doubting the cherries as Ive said in recent posts I believe we will win the league comfortably and the reason is that Eddies team is just too good for this league.up the cherries.

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rogthedodge123 says...
11:46pm Sat 16 Feb 13

MidlandExile wrote:
Went to game today and it was truly disappointing but no excuses. A poor playing surface coupled with Preston working their socks off and closing us down at every opportunity and in every area of the field meant we never had time to take control and impose ourselves. They were obviously highly motivated following Westley's departure and never let up from the word go. However, one poor performance does not make us a bad side. Plenty of points to be won and lost so today needs to be kept in perspective.
Brilliantly put.

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newcherry says...
11:50pm Sat 16 Feb 13

What on earth happened to our new left back,Painter?The left side proved disasterous for us today and without doubt lost us the game early doors.I wonder if Eddie realised how bigger gamble he was taking, on both Pugh and Painter,the team needed re-shaping twice in 45 mins.A very difficult task to manage.However upwards and onwards COYC

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ToBeHonestSwindonPlayBetterFootball says...
4:02am Sun 17 Feb 13

Wannabeeeeees

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afcb-mark says...
8:10am Sun 17 Feb 13

We lost against Walsall and then won the next 5 matches. We lost yesterday, but what's to say we can't win the next 5 matches again. A bad day yesterday, but can't win em all. Hurry back Daniels, you are the missing link.

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Frankiesbackfromhollywood says...
8:47am Sun 17 Feb 13

You get what you deserve in sport and we deserved to lose, Saturday now has an immense amount of pressure on the game. Lose the next two and you can forget any thoughts of winning the league, no pressure!!!

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eaststandman says...
8:49am Sun 17 Feb 13

The season is a marathon. Stay in the leading pack.

I think the club has done an amazing job.

So, Yeovil have put in a little sprint. Too early for that, they'll be all out of puff.

There's a long, long, way to go yet.

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4stands says...
9:16am Sun 17 Feb 13

ToBeHonestSwindonPla
yBetterFootball wrote:
ToBeHonestSwindonPla

yBetterFootball wrote:
ToBeHonestSwindonPla


yBetterFootball wrote:
Wannabeeeeees
well said

Promotion, Promotion, Promotion i hear them say, good god, i'm most certainly sure being a Bournemouth fan must include smelling of p**s and biscuits, I feel for poor Matt Ritchie playing in front of a bunch of pensioners eating Prawn sandwiches (the smell of P**s must be worth 10K a week), You deluded idiots need to except you have no more than a bunch of over paid individuals seeking personal stardom.
I rate Eddie Howe it's just a shame the poor bloke sees managing an outfit fit for stars in their eyes an worthy excuse to quit championship footy. Good luck in your journey KN**S i hope the Russian Geezer in charge realises that Bournemouth "Fans" are no more than a bunch of geriatric wee smelling fools.
Promotion, Promotion, Promotion i hear them say, good god, i'm most certainly sure being a Bournemouth fan must include smelling of p**s and biscuits, I feel for poor Matt Ritchie playing in front of a bunch of pensioners eating Prawn sandwiches (the smell of P**s must be worth 10K a week), You deluded idiots need to except you have no more than a bunch of over paid individuals seeking personal stardom.
I rate Eddie Howe it's just a shame the poor bloke sees managing an outfit fit for stars in their eyes an worthy excuse to quit championship footy. Good luck in your journey KN**S i hope the Russian Geezer in charge realises that Bournemouth "Fans" are no more than a bunch of geriatric wee smelling fools.
Oh dear to be honest you silly boy...you obviously don't realise you only have to press the send button once, it must be something to do with where you live

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tricky1007 says...
9:16am Sun 17 Feb 13

Mike Oxbig wrote:
On our performances this year, we simply are not yet good enough for the Championship. Maybe it would be a different story if Daniels and Elphick would be fit.... But I certainly haven't seen a stylish and convincing performance from us of late. Our league position is obviously flattering us, but just look at te number of games played column. Regards.
you dont get top of the league because you are lucky. Our position does not flatter us. the players have worked hard to get there with only a couple of defeats, i have no doubt if you put this team into the championship it would survive. One bad day at the office and people go all negative again. we have come so far since the beginning of the season. Points on the board is what matters, teams have to win there games in hand, not an easy thing to do in this league putting an unbeaten run together, We will be top 2 at the end
UTC

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jontee says...
9:37am Sun 17 Feb 13

As many have said this was a result waiting to happen.
.
We are now in the bad spell I predicted.
Sheff U are out of theirs. They will win on Sat an go nto take the title.
.
We are in very false position and can be caught by the next 6 teams.
.
Letting Zubar go and sighning wingers not defenders will cost us dear. Play offs at best.

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The Renegade Master says...
9:42am Sun 17 Feb 13

ToBeHonestSwindonPla
yBetterFootball wrote:
Promotion, Promotion, Promotion i hear them say, good god, i'm most certainly sure being a Bournemouth fan must include smelling of p**s and biscuits, I feel for poor Matt Ritchie playing in front of a bunch of pensioners eating Prawn sandwiches (the smell of P**s must be worth 10K a week), You deluded idiots need to except you have no more than a bunch of over paid individuals seeking personal stardom.
I rate Eddie Howe it's just a shame the poor bloke sees managing an outfit fit for stars in their eyes an worthy excuse to quit championship footy. Good luck in your journey KN**S i hope the Russian Geezer in charge realises that Bournemouth "Fans" are no more than a bunch of geriatric wee smelling fools.
Oh dear another inbred talking tosh. Run along little boy and leave this forum to the grown ups ok. Bye.

I remember back in 1987 at about this stage of the season we played Middlesbrough at home. They were on a great run and were at or near the top along with us. The fans didn't think we'd beat such a big club with a fantastic squad, but our players showed their mettle that day and stuffed them 3-1. They never looked back after that and won the title.
Next week's game against Sheffield United now takes on similar significance. Our current squad need to show their mettle and bounce back from yesterday's debacle and show us all that they are serious Championship material.
UTCIAD!

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white 147 says...
9:53am Sun 17 Feb 13

We need to attack more instead of playing tippey toe football, we need to use our strenghs and get the ball into the box quicker and hurt teams rather than pass back and fourth. Also just a note, Mr David james has been disguarded, from 1st team too not even on bench, the reason if he plays 1 more game they will have to offer him a new contract.. The club does somtimes treat players like sh..

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bigfatsteve says...
10:08am Sun 17 Feb 13

The doom and gloom merchants are back then as soon as we lose one game. Some of the football played this season has been outstanding. We took on premiereship Wigan both home and away and played them of the park. Since Eddie returned, he has squeezed the best out of every player to get us to the top of the league. Every team has occassioal off days, Eddie's job now is to pick up the player's and get them ready for The Blades on Saturday. Really looking forward to the Sheffield, Orient and Coventry games. You doom and gloomers,get over it. We could be top of the league in April, or struggling to get into the play-offs. Enjoy the ride.

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Richard 1976 says...
11:28am Sun 17 Feb 13

Just a bad day at the office. No reason to get down in the dumps. Up the cherries.

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Afcbpete says...
5:23pm Sun 17 Feb 13

Dear God, we've lost ONE game, in all honesty it was hardly a surprise given the lead up to the game. Poor Marc thought he'd feel ok and after not very long is substituted. Painter from the sounds of it had a bit of a stinker, but he'd not trained with the team and not played very much football this season, so I'm not having a go. Seaborne is doing a fine job, but we do miss Elphick. McDonald was only making his 1st start since injury, so all in all in turned out to be too much to ask of the players. It's hardly a bad run, not yet anyway. I have complete faith that they can sort things out this week and normal service will resume Saturday... UTCIAD

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simong says...
5:25pm Sun 17 Feb 13

This has been coming, we have been fairly poor for last few weeks (apart from MK Dons when they had 10 men). Most dissapointing aspect is the players, we are top of the league playing against who haven't won at home in 12 games - yet they totally outplayed us - new manager, big deal - where's the pride and fighting spirit ?
Need to be so much better next week and for remainder of season. otherwise 7th place is a distinct possibility

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STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road says...
7:12pm Sun 17 Feb 13

The next 5 games will tell us a lot about whether we will get promotion or not. One bad defeat does mot make us a poor team, so time to move on.
Next up is Sheff Utd, a real contender so not going to be easy. As supporters, we have a huge part to play in the coming weeks, we have to get 100% behind the team and drive them on to victory. With our next 3 home games all being 6 pointers it is vital that the 12th man is on top form.
Forget yesterday, refocus the mind with posativity and bring your singing voice to DC next week.
KEEP THE FAITH.!!!!!!!!!. UTCIAD

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