Ferguson worried by PNE defending

17 January 2010 09:54
Three of Bristol City's goals in their Ashton Gate success resulted from free-kicks as Ferguson's first match in charge quickly turned into a nightmare.[LNB]His side were 2-0 down after only 12 minutes, much to the annoyance of their new boss.[LNB]Ferguson said: "I told the players beforehand that the opening minutes were going to be vital because both sides were a bit low on confidence.[LNB]"If we started well I knew the home fans would become edgy. Instead, we handed Bristol the impetus and they have some good players who can knock it around after getting in front.[LNB]"You can't start games like that. But 90 minutes is not going to change my opinion and I believe I've inherited a sound squad who are just a bit low on belief at the moment.[LNB]"We had a good build-up to this game and I thought the players had taken a lot on board. But you have to transmit that into matches and it didn't happen."[LNB]Preston were caught cold after only 90 seconds when Paul Hartley's free-kick from the left reached Danny Haynes, who fired home first-time at the far post.[LNB]Another free-kick on 12 minutes, this time from Jamie McAllister caused mayhem again and after Nicky Maynard's shot was saved by Andy Lonergan, centre-back Liam Fontaine rifled home the rebound.[LNB]Chris Sedgwick's trickery got Preston back into the game on 27 minutes as he turned a defender inside out before crossing for Chris Brown to head home from six yards.[LNB]But more desperate defending at a free-kick 13 minutes into the second half saw Hartley's deep cross from the left reach Louis Carey and City's skipper looped a header over the diving Lonergan.[LNB]Substitute Evander Sno made it 4-1 with a low drive from the edge of the box shortly after coming on as an 88th-minute replacement and Ross Wallace's curling free-kick for North End in injury-time was only a consolation.[LNB]City manager Gary Johnson was relieved to celebrate his team's first home win since October and only their second victory in 11 Championship games.[LNB]"It was a real team performance," he said. "The difference was that we managed to get two goals ahead instead of trying to protect a single goal lead and that enabled the players to express themselves.[LNB]"It has been a difficult time for everyone at the club because there's been a fair amount of stick flying around for the team and myself as manager.[LNB]"But we are still right up there on the heels of the play-off contenders and if we can put a few wins back-to-back we will be in the thick of it again.[LNB]"If possible, I'd like to strengthen the squad before the end of the transfer window - but it's important people don't lose sight of the fact that we have a lot of talent here already."[LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk