Unforgivable

[CoolClaret]

Out of interest who would you have risked on that cabbage patch?

For me just like two weeks ago it's a game where we have to play to the conditions.

Could have matched them three/four at the back with a system similar to what we played at Southampton, Barnes (tailor made for him) up top again with someone off him or two up top with Foster (who wasn't great but at least fought a bit)/

Other players Hannibal (think he'd have been up for it, but if not for obvious reasons then fair enough), Laurent... More physicality, more directness.

[blsclaret]

Who cares? The league is far more important. The only people who will give a flying duck are the ones with an agenda against parker. They will be out in force today.

Personally I have no agenda against Parker, he is clearly on a promotion bonus and is doing well.

As an old school supporter since 1968, it is a shame that we prioritise getting stuffed every week next season (if promoted) for the money, rather than a shot at an FA Cup semi-final, perhaps final. You never know.

Silverware was once the ultimate target.

[Row x]

For me just like two weeks ago it's a game where we have to play to the conditions.

Could have matched them three/four at the back with a system similar to what we played at Southampton, Barnes (tailor made for him) up top again with someone off him or two up top with Foster (who wasn't great but at least fought a bit)/

Other players Hannibal (think he'd have been up for it, but if not for obvious reasons then fair enough), Laurent... More physicality, more directness.

I'd probably agree Laurent for Shelvey, but I don't think many were upset at Shelvey being in the team before the game.
Barnes was a possible, but other than fall about, he didn't do much when he came on
I said earlier that nobody was complaining about the team before the game, so it's a bit unfair to be critical of the selections afterwards, the players can be blamed for the performance, but nobody can honestly say they saw that coming before the game.

[lakedistrictclaret]

I've only been to six away games this season but I reckon I've seen the worst two, Millwall and today.

[CoolClaret]

I'd probably agree Laurent for Shelvey, but I don't think many were upset at Shelvey being in the team before the game.
Barnes was a possible, but other than fall about, he didn't do much when he came on
I said earlier that nobody was complaining about the team before the game, so it's a bit unfair to be critical of the selections afterwards, the players can be blamed for the performance, but nobody can honestly say they saw that coming before the game.

I agree that some were happy with the team before the game.

It was obvious that we were being bullied from kick off though. Should have made at least 2/3 changes at half time.

Extremely poor today all round and the minimum effort that we require, 100% effort, imo wasn't on display for the first time this season.

[Jakubs Tash]

It’s worrying that a team with aspirations to play at a higher level, where there are much more physical teams, have been bullied by the same bang average championship team twice in two weeks.

[boatshed bill]

10 minutes of watching Shelvey walking around was enough to convince me he shouldn't be anywhere near our first team.
What sort of standard does this set?

[stateofthenation]

What we witnessed today was a glimpse into the future if we don’t get promoted… and it’s truly frightening.

[JR1882]

I've only been to six away games this season but I reckon I've seen the worst two, Millwall and today.

Surely Sunderland was the worst!

[Silkyskills1]

What we witnessed today was a glimpse into the future if we don’t get promoted… and it’s truly frightening.

What we've witnessed over the last 24 hours or so has been a glimpse into the future ..... now that is truly frightening.

[Jakubclaret]

Given our first team hasn't been tubbed all season I'm not too worried about that

It's been heavily inferred that we fielded some second string outfit today sure some key individuals were missing 3 I can instantly think of. But the way we was comprehensively beaten even including a few I'm not sure how that can be a complete boost. It wasn't massively understrength as some people are clearly making out.

[boatshed bill]

It's been heavily inferred that we fielded some second string outfit today sure some key individuals were missing 3 I can instantly think of. But the way we was comprehensively beaten even including a few I'm not sure how that can be a complete boost. It wasn't massively understrength as some people are clearly making out.

Given that we were pure shyte, I'm not sure we concede the first 2 with the same line up except for Trafford in for Hladky.

[Jakubclaret]

Given that we were pure shyte, I'm not sure we concede the first 2 with the same line up except for Trafford in for Hladky.

Looking back at the goals he saves the free kick that's 2-0 but we have to have a scapegoat I guess.

[Jeffbfc]

It's been heavily inferred that we fielded some second string outfit today sure some key individuals were missing 3 I can instantly think of. But the way we was comprehensively beaten even including a few I'm not sure how that can be a complete boost. It wasn't massively understrength as some people are clearly making out.

That's my problem, saw the team and thought thats good enough
Problem was the normal no pressure, no attempt to go to attack the opposition
From what we have generally had to watch this season it's Parkers way
Last season was dire
This season we are third in the league and personally its still dire

[boatshed bill]

Looking back at the goals he saves the free kick that's 2-0 but we have to have a scapegoat I guess.

No, he saves the free kick. This changes everything from there on. But i'd back him over Hladky in any one-on-one (ie. the 2nd goal) every time.
We don't need a scapegoat, we were absolute crap today.

[stateofthenation]

What we've witnessed over the last 24 hours or so has been a glimpse into the future ..... now that is truly frightening.

Eh?!!

[HurstGrangeClaret]

Maybe not unforgivable but a performance that had you shouting at the telly. Dread to think what it must have been like for all those Clarets spending their time and money watching that garbage live at Deepdale.
Almost all those players playing to make an impression on the manager and not a single one managed it.
How many times do opportunities for FA Cup quarter finals come round. The fans deserved better and a promotion challenge can’t excuse that performance.

[CrosspoolClarets]

That it is being debated if it is unforgivable shows what a huge error this was by Parker.

There is no reason to antagonise the fans like this during a promotion push. A local derby R5 is for us. As I have written in another thread, unlike his other managed sides we have won major trophies. It is in our DNA to try and win them, particularly against local rivals below us in the league. He didn’t try to today. He sacked it off.

Is it unforgivable? If we don’t go up, yes. I like him, but I’ll then be calling for him to go. Life is too short. If we go up, OK, not the way I choose to do it, but he would get a pass.

p.s. well done PNE. First QF in 60 years, never been in the PL. How the other half live. Deserved it. We didn’t. Should enjoy their day in the sun.

[dsr]

The big no-no for me is that Parker has as good as told the players that it doesn't matter if they lose. Even as a one-off, it doesn't sit well.

[Ric_C]

How many hard tackles did we put in?
How many 50 50's did we lose?
Our distances were all wrong.
Some players not fit enough, you can carry a couple but not 5 or 6
Pitch was shite, all they did was basically Dyche tactics. Play it in behind as often as possible and pick up scraps, and it worked a treat.

The players were clearly told to not risk any injuries in this game. I feel sorry for the fans who went.

[Andreshotboots]

Parker should have been humble and apologised to the 5800 travelling fans for that inept and gutless display instead of offering up a garbled post match interview.

His team were out fought out managed today. It's inexcusable that they wanted to win the game more than us considering our squad andt the supposed caliber of player we've got sat on the subs bench.

[Quicknick]

Disappointing result, but not as disappointing as Sheff U's win in the Championship.

[RVclaret]

What we witnessed today was a glimpse into the future if we don’t get promoted… and it’s truly frightening.

It really wasn’t, and it’s not truly frightening.

[willsclarets]

The big no-no for me is that Parker has as good as told the players that it doesn't matter if they lose. Even as a one-off, it doesn't sit well.

As if he said anything of the like to them in that dressing room.

[dougcollins]

I said earlier that nobody was complaining about the team before the game

Really?

[RMutt]

I suspect that whatever teams walks out, if they are playing with the understanding that the manager and club are not really that interested in a win then they will play accordingly. It’s no different from the Dyche years.
It’s obvious from team selection to the lack of intensity of those on the pitch that there are bigger fish to fry.

[Ric_C]

I winced a bit when I saw the team. That turned to head shaking when I realised Hannibal, Cullen, Trafford and Anthony had been left out completely.

We'd not lost a derby against PNE or Rovers for 10 years, so it is a bit hard to take that we've lost this run by handing it to them on a plate.

Will Keane scored in that game as well bizarrely

[GodIsADeeJay81]

The big no-no for me is that Parker has as good as told the players that it doesn't matter if they lose. Even as a one-off, it doesn't sit well.

Love it when people make up stuff like this

[dsr]

Love it when people make up stuff like this

It's blindingly obvious that Parker feels this game didn't matter. Do think the players won't pick up on that?

[jrgbfc]

As if he said anything of the like to them in that dressing room.

That team selection is basically saying it though.

[willsclarets]

That team selection is basically saying it though.

Not really. A much changed side won at Southampton. It's not really a suprise Parker had the confidence to do it again. Rather than saying "I don't care if we lose", the message will have been "I trust my squad players to come in and do the job".
In retrospect, that's maybe naive. Its a feisty derby and a golden chance to get to Wembley.

But if we'd lost to Southampton the same criticism would've been leveled, that Parker basically didn't care if we lost. It's much easier to make the the right decision when you've had the hindsight of seeing what the wrong one was.

And who knows if it would've made a difference, I think over the games we've played this year Preston have been the better side overall whoever we've put out there.

[stateofthenation]

It really wasn’t, and it’s not truly frightening.

If we don’t get promoted our team next season will be closer to yesterday’s than the current 1st 11.

Frightening?? Debatable I suppose.

Worrying?? A certainty, if you actually want to return to the Premiership.

[JimmyRobbo]

Win at Cardiff and I could not give less of a ****, maybe that’s just me.

The big disappointment today is seeing how much poorer the likes of Worrall, Sonne, Shelvey, Sarmiento and Hladky are compared to our main men.

Good point. It's almost like Parker knows his players better than we do when we pontificate about by JJS or whoever else should be being selected. It also made me think if we are capable of scoring many goals in any case. Perhaps being so defensive is the right choice after all.

I also think it was one of those games where everything just doesn't work. Didn't like it for many reasons.

[The Shire Claret]

Good point. It's almost like Parker knows his players better than we do when we pontificate about by JJS or whoever else should be being selected. It also made me think if we are capable of scoring many goals in any case. Perhaps being so defensive is the right choice after all.

I also think it was one of those games where everything just doesn't work. Didn't like it for many reasons.

I think 9 players having next to no game time against a team that played together every week was the very simple answer for yesterday

That Burnley team beats that Preston team 8 times out of 10 if they have the minutes under their belt

At this level … minutes are massive

[jrgbfc]

I think 9 players having next to no game time against a team that played together every week was the very simple answer for yesterday

That Burnley team beats that Preston team 8 times out of 10 if they have the minutes under their belt

At this level … minutes are massive

Not sure about that. Me and all my mates said before the game we looked too lightweight and so it proved.

[boatshed bill]

Not really. A much changed side won at Southampton. It's not really a suprise Parker had the confidence to do it again. Rather than saying "I don't care if we lose", the message will have been "I trust my squad players to come in and do the job".
In retrospect, that's maybe naive. Its a feisty derby and a golden chance to get to Wembley.

But if we'd lost to Southampton the same criticism would've been leveled, that Parker basically didn't care if we lost. It's much easier to make the the right decision when you've had the hindsight of seeing what the wrong one was.

And who knows if it would've made a difference, I think over the games we've played this year Preston have been the better side overall whoever we've put out there.

Perhaps the 11 who started vs Southampton would have done better yesterday, but SP made 4 changes to it.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

It's blindingly obvious that Parker feels this game didn't matter. Do think the players won't pick up on that?

So now you're moving the goalposts from he definitely said it too the team selection suggests it

This is why we know its a made up claim and can be filed as such

He gave some of the other lads a run out
Managers do it all the sodding time, it doesn't mean he wants them to lose the flipping game

Honestly some of you....

[Poulton-le-Claret]

I would not say unforgivable, although I was pretty p'd off that it was a waste of my Saturday to be embarrassed by us not putting a shift in. Win against Cardiff and I'll be feeling better.

The only issue with effectively saying 'we are only interested in the league' is that, if we don't get promoted, you look bloody stupid for giving up on a decent shot at the quarter final.

[dsr]

So now you're moving the goalposts from he definitely said it too the team selection suggests it

This is why we know its a made up claim and can be filed as such

He gave some of the other lads a run out
Managers do it all the sodding time, it doesn't mean he wants them to lose the flipping game

Honestly some of you....

I'm afraid you haven't understood what I said. I said that he as good as told the players that it didn't matter if we lost; you have understood that to mean that he actually wanted to lose. It's very different on two counts.

There have been plenty of people on here advocating wholesale team changes on the grounds that losing in the FA Cup doesn't matter. That's exactly what Parker did. If you don't believe that it was because Parker thinks the cup doesn't matter, then we can agree to differ.

[Rick_Muller]

I think it could well be a masterstroke from SP to not care too much about the cup and convey that to the players. Had we won on Saturday, the players focus would have purely been on trying to win a game against Villa to get to Wembley for a Semi Final.

I'd rather they focus on the league instead of dreams of Wembley (which quite frankly playing there is massively devalued since the Semi went there for the cup).

[appleton]

Watford?

No where near as unforgivable, at least in terms of costs and effort in the journey.

And we didn't have to put up with Linaker popping out of the unusually positioned commentary box to give us clarets a sad look.

It explains the rare appearance of Troy Deaney as an expert.

[CrosspoolClarets]

I'm afraid you haven't understood what I said. I said that he as good as told the players that it didn't matter if we lost; you have understood that to mean that he actually wanted to lose. It's very different on two counts.

There have been plenty of people on here advocating wholesale team changes on the grounds that losing in the FA Cup doesn't matter. That's exactly what Parker did. If you don't believe that it was because Parker thinks the cup doesn't matter, then we can agree to differ.

Agree with your interpretation on this.

It is highly likely we would have lost at home to Villa in the QF (assuming same draw number). If we got to a Wembley Semi, it is highly likely we lost there. Either way, the disappointment for the players and fans could derail the league form. If we did win the cup, and got into the Europa League, it would be highly likely to disrupt the league form next season.

Worth the risk Imho, but I sense not in Parkers. So I don't think he deliberately lost, but he didn’t prioritise winning.

I understand it, but don’t agree with it, it feels so self-limiting.

[NL Claret]

I cannot for 1 minute think that in professional sport or even amateur sport that a manager would tell their players that winning a game didn’t matter. What’s the point in even turning up, a manager would lose the respect of the players if he said that.

If the PNE game didn’t matter, why did we bother beating Reading or Soton?

There are some really bizarre perceptions about Parker, I would assume it is because some posters don’t like him for one reason or another.

[jlup1980]

I cannot for 1 minute think that in professional sport or even amateur sport that a manager would tell their players that winning a game didn’t matter. What’s the point in even turning up, a manager would lose the respect of the players if he said that.

If the PNE game didn’t matter, why did we bother beating Reading or Soton?

There are some really bizarre perceptions about Parker, I would assume it is because some posters don’t like him for one reason or another.

I suspect Parker thought the starting 11 would be good enough to push for a win, which it should have been. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case and we were bullied from the first minute.

My only real criticism of Parker is the fact he didn't make changes at half time to try and change the flow of the game. Instead, he waited, and changed Shelvey, Benson, and Koleosho on the hour. I suspect this was the plan beforehand, regardless of score or performance.

I don't think Parker wanted to lose, but it's clear looking back that he was more concerned about getting minutes into players than anything else. This is understandable given the run in. It's likely all players will be needed at some point, so trying to get match fitness into the squad is expected. Whether it's more important than looking to progress to the last 8 of the FA Cup is debatable.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Two things occur to me on this:

1. If games were reversed, and Hannibal had his incident in the cup, would he have been left out of a vital league match where combative players are needed for a derby on a cabbage patch? Not a chance.

2. If we had drawn Rovers, had they got through, would he have picked the same side? I think yes. That’s the reason I predicted straight after the draw that it could cost Parker his job in the medium term, drawing a local rival and knowing he would sack it off. My red danger alarm was flashing straight away. It may only haunt him in the summer of we fail. Had it been Rovers, the chants to resign would already have started. Naive and avoidable.

But it is now done. Two wins this week are now the minimum requirement. Then a sort of reset in relations can be declared.

[Goody1975]

I think 9 players having next to no game time against a team that played together every week was the very simple answer for yesterday

That Burnley team beats that Preston team 8 times out of 10 if they have the minutes under their belt

At this level … minutes are massive

It just doesn't, you can't play a team with that amount of brawn and expect to earn the right to play, it was always going to end that way. They ran right over the top of us.

[Dyched]

Seemed strange to me to not pick a stronger 11 and try and keep a winning run going. We’re basically now in the most pressured part of the season, needing to go on our best run of the season whilst on the back of a 3-0 loss. Winning is a habit, we’ve only won 4 in a row twice this season.

[Goody1975]

I suspect Parker thought the starting 11 would be good enough to push for a win, which it should have been. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case and we were bullied from the first minute.

My only real criticism of Parker is the fact he didn't make changes at half time to try and change the flow of the game. Instead, he waited, and changed Shelvey, Benson, and Koleosho on the hour. I suspect this was the plan beforehand, regardless of score or performance.

I don't think Parker wanted to lose, but it's clear looking back that he was more concerned about getting minutes into players than anything else. This is understandable given the run in. It's likely all players will be needed at some point, so trying to get match fitness into the squad is expected. Whether it's more important than looking to progress to the last 8 of the FA Cup is debatable.

Parker had already selected the players that would be in the squad for that game, the exception was Esteve coming in for Humphreys.

He then selected a formation based on those players, a recipe for disaster as the setup didn't suit our natural game, the gameplay that although pragmatic, has served us well in controlling games so far this season.

[Devils_Advocate]

I think one change to that 11 was all it needed to make it a completely different game.

Put Laurent in for Benson, play Brownhill as the number 10 and move Sarmiento out wide and the midfield looks far more combative. For me Benson, Sarmiento, Koleosho and Shelvey was just one too many in terms of attacking flair players which allowed Preston to win and dominate the key battles.

[Goody1975]

I think one change to that 11 was all it needed to make it a completely different game.

Put Laurent in for Benson, play Brownhill as the number 10 and move Sarmiento out wide and the midfield looks far more combative. For me Benson, Sarmiento, Koleosho and Shelvey was just one too many in terms of attacking flair players which allowed Preston to win and dominate the key battles.

Exactly, the fact that Hannibal was taken out of the firing line meant he would be fit for Tuesday and if necessary would replace Laurent if he was injured on Saturday.