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Today we managed to score a couple. Both headers from Robbie Fowler who now becomes our top scorer of league goals. Unfortunately Calum Davidson of Preston managed to spoil the fun with two efforts from outside the box. The second coming on 91 mins after a poor free kick was conceded by Steve McPhail. I say poor, not because of what McPhail did but because the referee awarded it when there was no real infringement. The ref, who apart from that decision and a bizzare occasion where he made both of City's centre halves leave the pitch, had a pretty good game.
Preston worked a training ground routine and scored with a pile driver past Oakes in the City goal. Oakes was in for the dropped Turnbull. As Davidson scored he tried to jump over the diving Roger Johnson but cauight the City defender with his knee. Johnson was on the ground for 5 or 6 mins and was stretchered off wearing a neck brace. City played out the final three mins with 10 men because all our subs had been used.
The incident I mention above with the defenders happened when McNaughton and Johnson were both injured when defending a Preston attack. The ball went out for a corner and both players received treatment. The referee then made them both leave the pitch to wait to be called back on. That meant that Preston took their corner with City having no central defenders on the pitch. Surely common sense should have prevailed. At the other end previous to that the Preston keeper injured himself saving superbly from Joe Ledley but the referee allowed him to be treated and then return to his goal before City were allowed to take their corner.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink brought another great save from Lonergan as City looked to secure a victory.
Ultimately though City tried to hold onto a slender lead without having the personnell equiped to do so.
Our defence could not control the ball so it was desperate hoofing at times and the front men failed to keep possession higher up the pitch. Preston, who at times were awful, were able to keep the pressure on and will feel they got a deserved result but in reality they should have been brushed aside well before they scored their late goal.
There's a fine difference between winning and losing, with the chances created we could have won all our home games 5 - 0 but we've picked up just 1 point. We fail in the same manner each game.
Jones has to instill some steel into this squad. We have to become hard to beat, physical and not to be messed with. We are too pretty at times and while that can be attractive going forward we are powderpuff at times in defence. Roger Johnson works hard but he should not have a full back as a temporarty centre half. Keven McNaughton is a superb player but he's not a central defender.
Hopefully Roger will be fit for Tuesday. If not, and with Loovens and Purse still out we must surely loan someone.
We are not far away from being promotion candidates. Unfortunately we are just as close to being relegation fodder. We must stop being an easy touch and toughen up.
Dave Jones is still getting support at the moment but that's just our 2nd point at home in 8 games. The other 6 matches lost (end of last season, start of this). We are frustrating to watch and it's getting to be a miserable day out at Ninian Park.
Next up W.B.A. in the Cup. This Tuesday at the Hawthorns. Albion have not lost at home this season, 4 wins from 4 with no goals conceded. Go on City. Surprise me.