Martin wasn’t happy with the loss, but he didn’t change his midfield up, he weakened it with his subs IMO.
In the first half we had these weak links:
Grimes
Dispossessed three times in the defensive midfield in a dangerous area.
Not tracking back for Preston first goal.
Bennett
Sloppy in possession, letargic and too passive. Made two sloppy passes, one forward and one sideways, in our own half, and we were lucky not to concede. Apart from one excellent forward pass to Cullen it was a terrible performance.
Laird
Apart from an excellent cross to Piroe in the beginning of the game and one time when he cut in to attack Preston box showed nothing. Made a stupid sloppy backward pass which could have cost us a goal. Always chose backward passing when he had better options.
Didn't closed down his man to block the cross for Preston first and second goal.
Bidwell
Ok going forward but partly his fault that Preston scored first goal. He marked his man by turning his back to the player who he was supposed to mark??? C'mon.
Cooper
A nervous performance in the first half. Played long a couple of times and lost possession when he had better options. Looked lost.
The players who played well in the first half:
Benda
Excellent
Fulton
Mr. Reliable
Paterson
Did well up front. Heavily involved in Piro's goal and Cullen's shot. Together with Piroe and Cullen run a lot to press high. Unfortunatelly, we forced our attacking play through the right side so he didn't see much of the ball, which is criminal, because almost everything we created we created through him. Also, I don't know why Martin insists Paterson should play in a wide position and not centrally as ATM.
Piroe
Did a lot of running up front, dropped back to help our midfielders and scored.
Cullen
He played really well. Run a lot, and like Piroe made himself available and dropped back to recieve the ball. Great assist.
Manning
He shouldn't be playing as CB because he is too small to defend crosses. Otherwise, an ok performance in the first half.
Latibaudiere
The only one who had 100 % passing accuracy. Showed great commitment when he tried to prevent that counter-attack when he was injured.