Preston North End v Ipswich Town
Saturday 28th January 2017 – 15:00
Deepdale
Opening Thought - Herforder
So off to 'Udders we went, firmly determined to show that the train-crash performances against Lincoln City were two-off aberrations, and here was a golden opportunity to put in a solid performance, restore some confidence and pride and, importantly, take something home for the weekend. Alas, as many anticipated, it was not to be. True, what transpired was better than that served up at Sincil Bank; but, let's face it, that was arguably one of our worst and most embarrassing performances of all time, and should in no way be used as a marker upon which to judge ourselves against! (Although those watching on TV probably did; some of the older fraternity shaking their heads whilst muttering "I remember when they used to be a really great Club").
In truth, David Wagner had done his due diligence on us, and his team won in a canter. Starting with three at the back, and with Jordan Spence replacing the apparently knackered Josh Emmanuel, Andre Dozzell in midfield, Paul Digby replacing the injured Adam Webster and Dean Gerken deputising for the illness stricken Bart, Mick's stated game plan was to stop the 'Udders boys playing, nick the ball off them and then try to play when in possession. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it? However, once Izzy Brown - a classy Chelsea loanee - nicked the ball from Andre Dozzell and proceeded to score with a fine solo effort, then Plan A was binned, and there wasn't really an effective Plan B. In finishing the match, conceding another goal en route, with Chambo at RB and the Skuglas duo re-united in a 4-4-2, nothing much had really changed. We offered little of any quality in the final third, and created precious few real chances. A depressingly familiar story, which just increases already low apathy levels. Whilst Josh Emmanuel was unfortunate to lose his place, no doubt that Jordan Spence put in an impressive shift, and looks to be be a valuable addition to our small, injury hit, squad. A bit concerning was MM's post-match comment to the effect that whilst developing young players was all well and good, picking up points was always the priority, as was the need to be hard nosed. So much then for his comments, following the Lincoln game, regarding improving our young players with the aim of achieving a fresh start. Or, for that matter, adhering to ME's 'Hope over Investment' 5 point plan!
With a very tough programme on the horizon, Saturday's trip to Preston is one from which we must take at least a point. However, with things as they stand, it's a big ask. Luke Chambers' comments today regarding players' confidence levels, and mental approaches to their own and team mates' performances, only serve to confirm what we all know. As a group they have got to get through it, or the current 9 point comfort gap will surely get eroded to the point where we become embroiled in 'must win' games from now until he end of the season. At the time of writing, and with the end of the transfer window in sight, we still await significant reidnforcements. But if it means going right down to the wire to get some, much needed, quality into the squad, then so be it.
Welcome, though, to Toumani Diagouraga on loan from Leeds - a former key part of Brentford's squad, and perhaps able to improve our midfield. Here's hoping!
The Opposition – Preston North End
Preston North End was originally founded as a cricket club in 1863, by Mr Walter Pomfret of Deepdale Road, who was the first person to rent the field on which North End has always played. The original rent was £8 per year. As Preston already had a strong town's club, they adopted the "North End" suffix because they moved to the North End of the town when Moor Park opened, playing their matches at Moor Park. Prior to that they played at Bow Lane. The club adopted rugby union code in 1877, but one year later they played their first game under the rules of association football, and in May 1880 unanimously passed a resolution to adopt the association code.
Preston North End were famously successful during the early years of professional football in England. In 1887, Preston beat Hyde 26–0 in the First Round of the FA Cup, still a record winning margin in English first-class football. Preston forward Jimmy Ross scored eight goals in the match, going on to score 19 goals in the competition that season, also still a record.
In 1888–89, they became the first league champions and the first winners of "The Double", becoming the only team to date to go throughout an entire season unbeaten in both the league and FA Cup – winning the FA Cup without conceding a goal.
Preston were league champions again the following season, but have not won the title since. The club's last major trophy was an FA Cup triumph in 1938.
Preston were relegated to the Second Division in 1961 and have not played in the top division since. The club did reach the FA Cup final in 1964, but lost to West Ham United. Preston were relegated to the Third Division in the 1969–70 season. The club won the Third Division title at the first attempt and so returned to the Second Division.
Bobby Charlton, an England World Cup winner from 1966, was appointed Preston manager in 1973, but was unable to prevent the club from sliding into the Third Division in his first season and left after two years in charge. A brief respite in 1978 saw Preston win promotion back to the Second Division, but go down after three seasons. In 1985 the club fell into the Fourth Division for the first time in its history.
In 1986, Preston finished second from bottom in the Fourth Division and only avoided dropping into the Football Conference because the other Football League members voted in favour of the division's bottom four teams retaining their senior status.
A year later Preston won promotion to the Third Division and they were still at this level until 1990 when they were relegated from the first season of the new Division Two.
Preston were Division Three title in 1997, and in February 1998, 34-year-old defender David Moyes took over management of the club. Preston quickly developed into Division Two promotion contenders under Moyes, reaching the 1998–99 play-offs but losing out to Gillingham in the semi-finals, before finally being promoted as champions a year later.
Preston began the new millennium by winning promotion from Division 2 in the 1999–2000 season as champions. The club almost made it two promotions in a row in 2001 but lost 3–0 to Bolton Wanderers in the Division One play-off final. Moyes left for Everton in March 2002.
Preston were little more than a mid-table side until the 2004/5 season when Billy Davies took over and guided Preston to the Championship playoff final in his first season as manager, but they lost to West Ham United. The club reached the play-offs again the following year, this time losing out at the semi-final stage.
Preston spent much of the 2006–07 season in the automatic promotion or play-off places. However, from March 2007 the club slid rapidly down the league. On 11 July 2007, Nugent, the first Preston player to win an England cap for 50 years, left the club to join Portsmouth for a reported transfer fee of £6,000,000 and they did not recover from their poor run of form.
After a bad start to the 2007–08 season which saw the club pick up just three wins, Paul Simpson was sacked as manager on 13 November 2007 and Alan Irvine was appointed as Preston's new manager on a three-and-a-half year deal. He achieved his first objective as manager by finishing in 15th place, thus securing Preston's survival in the Championship.
The following season, he led Preston to 6th place in the Championship after a good run of form towards the end of the season, qualifying for the play-offs.
On 29 December 2008, Irvine was sacked after a poor run of results, with the club appointing Darren Ferguson as his successor and he narrowly secured their survival in the Championship.
In the 2009–10 season, Preston finished in 17th place and in the following season they were bottom of the Championship when Ferguson was sacked at Christmas.
Former Hull City manager Phil Brown was appointed as Ferguson's replacement, but could only achieve his first win in his 13th game in charge. This sparked an improved run of form, but could not prevent relegation to League One.
Brown was sacked on 14 December 2011 after less than a year in charge. After four weeks of interviews, Preston approached Stevenage manager Graham Westley and he was appointed manager on Friday 13 January 2012. Following a poor string of results, including a club record run of 12 home games without a win, Westley was sacked as Preston manager on 13 February 2013.
On 18 February 2013, it was confirmed that Simon Grayson had taken charge of Prestonand by the end of the 2012–13 season Preston were safe in 14th place, 11 points clear of relegation.
Preston won promotion to the Championship after beating Swindon Town 4–0 in the League One play-off Final on 24 May 2015, having failed in their previous nine appearances in the play-offs.
Preston made an excellent adjustment to Championship Football last season, finishing in a very credible 11th place on the table.
The Manager – Simon Grayson
Past Match Video - Trev
Let’s hope for another 1-0 win and take the 3 points
Media Watch – K L Blue
Possible signing!
http://www.sudburymercury.co.uk/sport/i ... _1_4859380
Loan Signing imminent
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2017/01/23/ ... ve/322988/
NUFC fans view on Steven Taylor possible signing for Town
http://nothingbutnewcastle.com/2017/01/ ... h-ipswich/
Form Guide
Preston Last 5 Matches - Currently in 11th place with 40 points
Aston Villa 2-2 Preston NE
Preston NE 2-0 Brighton
Preston NE 1-2 Arsenal
Burton Albion 0-1 Preston NE
Preston NE 1-1 Sheffield Wed
Ipswich Last 5 Matches - Currently in 14th place with 34 points
Huddersfield 2-0 Ipswich Town
Lincoln City 1-0 Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town 3-2 Blackburn Rovers
Ipswich Town 2-2 Lincoln City
QPR 2-1 Ipswich Town
Fixtures of Interest
QPR VS BURTON
READING VS CARDIFF
Marko’s Caption Contest
Hi there....... Definitely no time to score the Huddersfield captions...... I'll try and get that done next week.
Have a go at this in the meantime.
Match Referee - Stephen Martin
Final Thought - Bluemike
We are now entering what for me is a defining period of the season, while the table still looks relatively comfortable where the dreaded drop is concerned we have to be aware that in this crazy league things can change very very quickly indeed. Preston (A) Derby (H) Reading (H) Villa (A) Brighton (A) Leeds (H) and Norwich (A) represents a very tough run of games for anyone but for a Town team devoid of confidence and crippled with injuries this looks as daunting as it could possibly be. Of the Four away games I would say a point at Preston is a must as for me the other Three look like defeats all day long, that leaves us with Three home games that just have to yield 6/7 points minimum, unfortunately we are up against Three sides in and around the play off places, yes indeed, difficult times ahead, Portman Road has to get behind the boys whatever our feelings are right now it is in our own interests to support the team in the right way, it may just make the difference.
Huddersfield turned out pretty much exactly as we all expected, in fact for 42 minutes we did ok and had we just held out to HT then who knows, sadly we gift goals for fun and this was no exception and from the minute they scored we went into our shells again and kinda rolled over. The fighting spirit has to return and quickly or we will find ourselves in a bad place.
There are many things wrong with the team, Manager and owner right now but my god to lose Webster, Williams, Pitman, Smith, Hyam, McGoldrick, Kenlock, Bishop and even Bialkowski on Saturday is a crippling blow, it is virtually a whole team and leaving us threadbare in terms of options, I feel the arrival of Spence, Moore and Diagouraga are rush jobs to at least get some bodies in the house, I do not believe for one second that they were intended targets, clearly we are having issues bringing in that "big signing" or Two and the clock is ticking, let's keep our fingers crossed that for the first time ever we are actually mentioned on deadline day as bringing in some late deals.
Next up is Preston, never an easy place to go but I am hopeful of a point and to be honest I would rip your hand off for it at this moment in time. Another new ground for me and I DO NOT want to come all that bloody way home having witnessed a Lincolnesque type performance. COYB'S
PRESTON NORTH END 1 IPSWICH TOWN 1
