It’s been a long old season for Preston North End, full of ups and downs, oohs and aahs, but its now time to breathe a sigh of relieve. Championship status for next season is secure and Alan Irvine can now wipe the slate clean and prepare for next season.
Ok, so there’s one game left which could potentially decide who could be playing top flight football next season, but that’s all irrelevant now isn’t it? After a real rollercoaster of a season its time to relax, put your feet up and be a proud Preston supporter…to an extent.
This season has not been something to be proud of… it’s only because of Alan Irvine that PNE won’t be playing along side the likes of Leeds in the third tier of the English game. That’s what I am putting it down to anyway.
As this season overall has been drab to say the least its time to move on. In the last edition we looked at the individuals and how they have played their part and we all now that Alan Irvine turned the fortunes of North End. So we really must not dwell on this failure. Preston, one of the founders of the Football League, need to be making an assault on the Championship next season. If teams like Stoke and Bristol City are considered two of the most fearsome teams outside the Premiership, then Preston can surely consider themselves as one of teams who can become their equivalent in the 08/09 term.
More quality is needed though in the final third in there needs to more creative in the middle of the park if they are to make the step up. I don’t think Irvine needs to add to the eight decent defenders already at his disposal, but money is tight so finding the right bright spark to unlock defences will be difficult. But it has to be done because although Alan Irvine can be created the turn around in fortunes, he needs to earn his money by shopping well and giving Chairman, Derek Shaw a good list for him to work with, because another season fighting relegation isn’t what the club, the players or then fans want.
I obviously hope that next season will be an improvement on this past one, and I expect it too. But I think it would be niave to expect a top 6 finish. It will take a lot of hard work over the course of the season but also during the summer. I trust Irvine in the leadership of the club and think that he is the next big thing in management. Next season he will prove it and the board should back him in all his ventures.
A couple of good quality players would fit the superb surroundings that they will be playing in next season nicely. The new stand is now taking shape and hopefully will be full along with the rest to get behind the Whites on the pitch. One thing I will say about the new Invincible’s Pavilion is that I am not sure why there are more corporate places available. Sure it will look nice with the sliding doors and what have you, but surely when more support is needed there should just be extra seating made available rather than taking up space for more prawn sandwich brigadiers? It’s clearly something to do with the business side but I think there should be more ‘normal’ seats available to the average Joe like you and me.
On the Championship season… I hope West Brom, Watford and Stoke get promoted to the Premier League. Why I hear you ask? Well we don’t want another waste of space like Derby in their do we. Watford and West Brom will make a good effort and at least have that little bit of quality in their squad to make a good go at fighting relegation right from the off. Stoke will play a tough game with a good defence and a few decent players in the likes of Liam Lawrence and Ricardo Fuller going forward. They are the best three teams in the League and are the ones who you would want to represent The Championship so to speak. But its going to be interesting and definitely a one to watch, just like at the other end of the table.
Showing posts with label championship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label championship. Show all posts
Friday, 2 May 2008
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Is it too premature to think that Preston are now safe from the Championship relegation battle?
After Preston North End came from a goal down to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at Deepdale on Tuesday evening, Lilywhites Manager, Alan Irvine stated that the club’s target is to reach the 54 point mark so that PNE can maintain their Championship status. But is this a rather pessimistic view from the man who has turned the clubs fortune around this season?
The Scotsman has turned the Lancashire club’s fortunes since his arrival in Preston, and the win against Mick McCarthy’s team has increased the club’s unbeaten run on a Tuesday night to 32 games, meant they have won three consecutive matches, and come from behind for the first time under his reign. With a renewed optimism circling the air, is it too soon to begin hopes of strong top half finish, before safety from relegation is reached?
Five points now separate Preston from the relegation zone, yet a win against arch rivals, Blackpool on Saturday could move them to as high as 12th, in close proximity of teams above them. Having said that, it would be over confidence and naïve to suggest the players should relax and not still fear the threat of dropping to League One.
A poor performance against Crystal Palace was overshadowed by good displays at Leicester and Charlton. The win against Wolves was also a decent display, however still not at the level Preston fans would ideally like to witness. This, along with the fact that anyone truly can beat anyone in the Championship, means that PNE cannot now rest on their laurels and expect immunity from the relegation dog-fight, but at the same time, there is a temptation to imagine them safely in the top half of the table, a thought inconceivable three games ago, which is the reason for the hallucinations.
History has proved that you have to take your chances in this decision, if you don’t it could cost you valuable points. Wolves were guilty on this occasion as they arguably had the better chances in the game, up until the penalty decision which turned proceedings around. If they had built on their one goal advantage before Chris Brown went down easily under a challenge in the Wolves box, they could have gone on to win the game by one or two goals. However, Preston showed the belief and determination to fight their way back into the game and despite the generous penalty decision, they thoroughly deserved their win.
But everyone connected to PNE should not get carried away. There is a lot of work still left to be done this season concentrating on increasing the gap on the pack below them. The moment they slip, it gives others a chance to gain ground on them. They will feed on any scraps which Preston give them, therefore they should still be looking over their shoulder at who’s behind them and look at who they can catch just ahead of them, before visualising where they could be at the end of the season.
On the new signings, Michael Hart will step up his recovery from a hip-flexa injury by featuring in the reserve fixture at Morcambe on Thursday evening. I hope that the full-back can pull through the game with no problems as with Liam Chilvers on the sidelines for nine months, Hart’s return from injury would a timely boost and add extra numbers at the back. We are not desperate as Neal Trotman was on the bench on Tuesday, but the experience which Hart would bring in is a considerable amount more than the former Oldham centre-back, Trotman. It’s sad that Craig Beattie is out of action before he really got going. Hopefully he won’t be out for too long and can show the fans at Deepdale some of the qualities that earned him a move to West Brom last summer. As for Tamas Priskin, he showed good touches on the ball on Tuesday and also impressed me with his intentions to get beyond the backline with his piercing runs. However, he needs to hold them back for half a second as repeatedly being caught offside could become increasingly annoying unless he gets right and scores some goals.
I would also like to express my delight that Preston will be ‘beaming back’ the Blackpool match to fans who can watch the game on a big-screen at Deepdale on Saturday. The game is a must see for all Preston fans and it is a great idea for the club to provide an opportunity for the fans to watch the team in action in such a crucial game.
The Scotsman has turned the Lancashire club’s fortunes since his arrival in Preston, and the win against Mick McCarthy’s team has increased the club’s unbeaten run on a Tuesday night to 32 games, meant they have won three consecutive matches, and come from behind for the first time under his reign. With a renewed optimism circling the air, is it too soon to begin hopes of strong top half finish, before safety from relegation is reached?
Five points now separate Preston from the relegation zone, yet a win against arch rivals, Blackpool on Saturday could move them to as high as 12th, in close proximity of teams above them. Having said that, it would be over confidence and naïve to suggest the players should relax and not still fear the threat of dropping to League One.
A poor performance against Crystal Palace was overshadowed by good displays at Leicester and Charlton. The win against Wolves was also a decent display, however still not at the level Preston fans would ideally like to witness. This, along with the fact that anyone truly can beat anyone in the Championship, means that PNE cannot now rest on their laurels and expect immunity from the relegation dog-fight, but at the same time, there is a temptation to imagine them safely in the top half of the table, a thought inconceivable three games ago, which is the reason for the hallucinations.
History has proved that you have to take your chances in this decision, if you don’t it could cost you valuable points. Wolves were guilty on this occasion as they arguably had the better chances in the game, up until the penalty decision which turned proceedings around. If they had built on their one goal advantage before Chris Brown went down easily under a challenge in the Wolves box, they could have gone on to win the game by one or two goals. However, Preston showed the belief and determination to fight their way back into the game and despite the generous penalty decision, they thoroughly deserved their win.
But everyone connected to PNE should not get carried away. There is a lot of work still left to be done this season concentrating on increasing the gap on the pack below them. The moment they slip, it gives others a chance to gain ground on them. They will feed on any scraps which Preston give them, therefore they should still be looking over their shoulder at who’s behind them and look at who they can catch just ahead of them, before visualising where they could be at the end of the season.
On the new signings, Michael Hart will step up his recovery from a hip-flexa injury by featuring in the reserve fixture at Morcambe on Thursday evening. I hope that the full-back can pull through the game with no problems as with Liam Chilvers on the sidelines for nine months, Hart’s return from injury would a timely boost and add extra numbers at the back. We are not desperate as Neal Trotman was on the bench on Tuesday, but the experience which Hart would bring in is a considerable amount more than the former Oldham centre-back, Trotman. It’s sad that Craig Beattie is out of action before he really got going. Hopefully he won’t be out for too long and can show the fans at Deepdale some of the qualities that earned him a move to West Brom last summer. As for Tamas Priskin, he showed good touches on the ball on Tuesday and also impressed me with his intentions to get beyond the backline with his piercing runs. However, he needs to hold them back for half a second as repeatedly being caught offside could become increasingly annoying unless he gets right and scores some goals.
I would also like to express my delight that Preston will be ‘beaming back’ the Blackpool match to fans who can watch the game on a big-screen at Deepdale on Saturday. The game is a must see for all Preston fans and it is a great idea for the club to provide an opportunity for the fans to watch the team in action in such a crucial game.
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Preston North End v Leicester City: Quick Preview
In tonight's trip to The Walkers Stadium to take on Ian Holloway’s Leicester City, the Preston boys will be looking to improve on the dismal Palace performance. Alan Irvine has said that he wants his midfield to provide his frontline with more chances, as The Lilywhites look to go level on points with The Foxes. Neil Mellor may start up-front along side Chris Brown after coming on as a half-time substitute for Karl Hawley, and Darren Carter looks set to retain his place along side captain, Paul McKenna in the middle of the park as Richard Chaplow is unlikely to recover from a hamstring injury. Hopefully, PNE will produce a performance to be proud in a bid to boost their battle against relegation.
Monday, 3 March 2008
Do Preston North End have the consistency to escape relegation?
The Stoke result was surprising for everyone. Nobody expected The Lilywhites to come away from the game with anything other than a loss, despite the amazing record of being unbeaten at Deepdale on a Tuesday evening since 2001. Alan Irvine’s men performed admirably and thoroughly deserved the 3 points against Tony Pulis’ side. After the match it was unfairly portrayed that Stoke had the upper-hand throughout the game. Preston more than matched the visitors in every part of the field and despite Pulis claiming his side had seven good chances, Preston had plenty of their own. However, it could also be said that Stoke fell victim of something which Preston have been struggling with – poor finishing. Richard Chaplow fortunately had his shooting boots on and should have been leaving the field with the match ball, but missed an early second half sitter which would have give him his hat-trick. The story for Stoke was that they didn’t test PNE goalkeeper, Andy Lonergan enough times.
But the intriguing thing for Preston is that they play superbly well against the top teams such as Watford, West Brom, Portsmouth and Stoke, but fail produce the same performance against teams lower in the league. They play well and get results sometimes, but the Crystal Palace performance was poor. Both teams were guilty of not playing with any flow, giving the ball away too easily in midfield and lacked the cutting edge upfront to create any real good chances. Crystal Palace did arguably look the more likely to score, but dispite this, a 1-0 loss, I feel, is harsh on PNE. Neither side deserved to win or lose a poor game.
Looking at two contrasting performances from North End and the team’s precarious position in the Championship table, do Preston have the consistency to drag themselves away from the relegation zone?
Overall under Alan Irvine the team has been performing well, playing decent football and just lack a finisher upfront. But in a league where anybody can beat anybody, the key is form and consistency. It’s all very well playing excellently against the top teams in the league picking up one or even three points, but the team really needs to produce the same performance against the teams around them, which are the games which are considered six-pointers at this stage in the season. The team needs to get back in form and perform well as the remaining games will all be difficult as teams are either chasing promotion or play-off spots are fighting it out at the bottom along with Preston. They still face a difficult trip to rivals Blackpool on the 15th and welcome Burnley to Deepdale a week later. Promotion chasers Bristol City lie in wait of Irvine and his men on the last day of the season, and the PNE manger will certainly be looking to have his side’s position in the Championship for next season nailed down by that stage. But before then, Preston could be in an even worse position than what they are in now. Sheffield Wednesday are just a single point behind them and have two games in hand. If they find their form, the task of fighting for safety gets a whole lot more difficult.
I am confident that PNE will be safe this season, but it cannot be taken for granted. Preston will have to play with spirit, commitment and quality if they are to get back to winning ways. But every knock back at this stage in the season is going to a massive blow. Every player is going to have to work for each other and fight for every victory as no game is more important than another. I am sure that the team will find its momentum again and pick up the five wins the manager has said his side needs to be safe. It’s going to be a close and exciting end to the Championship season, at least for the neutral, but a few Preston North End fans could be going gray if things don’t go right.
But the intriguing thing for Preston is that they play superbly well against the top teams such as Watford, West Brom, Portsmouth and Stoke, but fail produce the same performance against teams lower in the league. They play well and get results sometimes, but the Crystal Palace performance was poor. Both teams were guilty of not playing with any flow, giving the ball away too easily in midfield and lacked the cutting edge upfront to create any real good chances. Crystal Palace did arguably look the more likely to score, but dispite this, a 1-0 loss, I feel, is harsh on PNE. Neither side deserved to win or lose a poor game.
Looking at two contrasting performances from North End and the team’s precarious position in the Championship table, do Preston have the consistency to drag themselves away from the relegation zone?
Overall under Alan Irvine the team has been performing well, playing decent football and just lack a finisher upfront. But in a league where anybody can beat anybody, the key is form and consistency. It’s all very well playing excellently against the top teams in the league picking up one or even three points, but the team really needs to produce the same performance against the teams around them, which are the games which are considered six-pointers at this stage in the season. The team needs to get back in form and perform well as the remaining games will all be difficult as teams are either chasing promotion or play-off spots are fighting it out at the bottom along with Preston. They still face a difficult trip to rivals Blackpool on the 15th and welcome Burnley to Deepdale a week later. Promotion chasers Bristol City lie in wait of Irvine and his men on the last day of the season, and the PNE manger will certainly be looking to have his side’s position in the Championship for next season nailed down by that stage. But before then, Preston could be in an even worse position than what they are in now. Sheffield Wednesday are just a single point behind them and have two games in hand. If they find their form, the task of fighting for safety gets a whole lot more difficult.
I am confident that PNE will be safe this season, but it cannot be taken for granted. Preston will have to play with spirit, commitment and quality if they are to get back to winning ways. But every knock back at this stage in the season is going to a massive blow. Every player is going to have to work for each other and fight for every victory as no game is more important than another. I am sure that the team will find its momentum again and pick up the five wins the manager has said his side needs to be safe. It’s going to be a close and exciting end to the Championship season, at least for the neutral, but a few Preston North End fans could be going gray if things don’t go right.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Nugent set for move away from Portsmouth?
When asked after Portsmouth’s last game, a FA Cup victory at Preston’s Deepdale ground, Harry Redknapp denied speculation linking former Lilywhites stiker David Nugent with a return to his former hunting ground, or to fellow Championship side Ipswich.
The Pompey boss claimed, “No, it wouldn’t be a clever move would it? We paid a lot of money for him and wouldn’t let him come back for nothing.”
So with Redknapp telling Sky Sports at Fratton Park this afternoon that the one-time capped England international is ‘free to leave’, what has changed that has paved the way for the £6 million striker to possibly leave a side gunning for a European spot?
After all, Redknapp admitted that his striking options are limited to Kanu, on-loan Milan Baros and cup-tied Jermaine Defoe, and has even been forced to play John Utaka in an unnatural position up-front. So why then the sudden change of heart?
Nuge has not had the best start to his Portsmouth career with not a single Premier League goal to his name and has only just recovered from a hernia operation. Redknapp has said that a deal is close to being agreed with Ipswich to take Nugent to Portman Road so that he can gain some match fitness.
Is this the end of Nugent’s Premier League career, or is it just as Harry said and a move to regain sharpness? I think Nugent has a lot to offer Pompey and can be a hit in the Premier League as he is a good goal scorer. However, in the short term I do not think he will move to Ipswich. He was in the stands for the FA Cup game, and is great friends with Preston players such as Sean St. Ledger. Therefore, a move back to Preston looks the most likely. Whilst there may no be official bid from the Lancashire club, I believe Nugent will wait for an offer and get back to Deepdale at the earliest opportunity.
I feel as though Preston are in desperate need for a natural goal scorer and this could maybe inspire the club to climb away from the relegation area. He is adored by the Deepdale fans and they could be heard chanting their heroes name at the FA Cup match last Sunday. The fans want him back, Alan Irvine I am sure would want him back, and admittedly I want him back. It really would give the club a real buzz and would create a better competition for places in the striking position. But could the temptation to help Ipswich possibly gain promotion too big a lure for Nugent? Hopefully not.
The Pompey boss claimed, “No, it wouldn’t be a clever move would it? We paid a lot of money for him and wouldn’t let him come back for nothing.”
So with Redknapp telling Sky Sports at Fratton Park this afternoon that the one-time capped England international is ‘free to leave’, what has changed that has paved the way for the £6 million striker to possibly leave a side gunning for a European spot?
After all, Redknapp admitted that his striking options are limited to Kanu, on-loan Milan Baros and cup-tied Jermaine Defoe, and has even been forced to play John Utaka in an unnatural position up-front. So why then the sudden change of heart?
Nuge has not had the best start to his Portsmouth career with not a single Premier League goal to his name and has only just recovered from a hernia operation. Redknapp has said that a deal is close to being agreed with Ipswich to take Nugent to Portman Road so that he can gain some match fitness.
Is this the end of Nugent’s Premier League career, or is it just as Harry said and a move to regain sharpness? I think Nugent has a lot to offer Pompey and can be a hit in the Premier League as he is a good goal scorer. However, in the short term I do not think he will move to Ipswich. He was in the stands for the FA Cup game, and is great friends with Preston players such as Sean St. Ledger. Therefore, a move back to Preston looks the most likely. Whilst there may no be official bid from the Lancashire club, I believe Nugent will wait for an offer and get back to Deepdale at the earliest opportunity.
I feel as though Preston are in desperate need for a natural goal scorer and this could maybe inspire the club to climb away from the relegation area. He is adored by the Deepdale fans and they could be heard chanting their heroes name at the FA Cup match last Sunday. The fans want him back, Alan Irvine I am sure would want him back, and admittedly I want him back. It really would give the club a real buzz and would create a better competition for places in the striking position. But could the temptation to help Ipswich possibly gain promotion too big a lure for Nugent? Hopefully not.
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Preston North End FC : Short Season Review 7th Feb 2008
It’s no secret that North End haven’t enjoyed the best of seasons so far sitting at the wrong end the table, a long way off the pre-season hopes of the play-off spots. Former manager Paul Simpson was sacked following the 3-0 away defeat to Hull which left PNE with a poor record of just three wins from 17 games. In came the new gaffer Alan Irvine, another Scotsman who was former Preston manager David Moyes’ assistant at Everton. I think he’s done a terrific job. It took time, yes, with three defeats in three games but there’s a definite change in the way the team has been playing. The signs are there that the manager is starting to make his mark on the team with four wins in the last five games including a 4-1 victory against Premier League opposition in Derby County, and against two of the Championship’s top teams, Watford and West Brom. The Premier League is full of teams which play quick passing football and that’s what PNE are now trying to do. OK, it might not work at times and I’m not trying to kid you into thinking they’re playing Premier League standard football, because they’re not, but they’re certainly trying their hardest. Irvine stated after the FA Cup game at Pride Park that the team showed exactly what they have been working on: making the right decisions and making the right passes instead of just shooting whenever they see the goal.
One thing which I have noticed with Preston is that they create so many good chances throughout the game but just struggled to put the ball in the back of the net. With captain Paul McKenna in midfield pulling the strings with his quality passing ability on the ball, and Simon Whaley on the wing fearlessly running at defenders posing a real direct threat, all they needed to do was finish a move by scoring a goal. They have done all the hard work by beating the opposing 10 outfield players but failed to beat the single man between the posts. Recently they have look a lot more clinical and speaking of keepers, despite the odd error here and there (which have been costly), Andy Lonergan has been brilliant, especially when on a one-on-one situation.
I was expecting the gaffer to buy a quality finisher in the transfer window, someone who really could replace Dave Nugent and score goals. Instead he bought Chris Brown from Norwich, someone who doesn’t have a good scoring record, but fair play he’s been a fantastic signing. The big front man has only scored one goal in a few appearances but what he does leading the front line has been top quality, holding the ball up extremely well and bringing others into play, something which PNE haven’t had and for £400,000 he’s proved to be a bargain. You will hardly see his name appear on Soccer Saturday with a goal, but I am sure he will get the biggest cheer from the Deepdale faithful at the final whistle every game, as proved by his Man of the Match debut performance against Watford. Former Burnley midfielder Richard Chaplow has been brought in to add steel to the midfield and I think that his addition for a surprisingly substantial fee will prove a good one come the business end of the season in May. The Preston boss has added to his weakened back-line with the arrivals of Neal Trotman from Oldham and Michael Hart from Aberdeen. Despite Hart being injured and Trotman being just 20-years-old, competition for places is now looking healthy especially with Billy Jones making a return from a knee injury last week. In my opinion purchasing Hart is a great coup for the club as they have secured a player who has UEFA Cup experience.
In the final game before writing, PNE lost 1-0 away to Norwich thanks to a goal in the 91st minute. The results means Preston remain 22nd in the table, one point behind Sheffield Wednesday who have a game in a hand, and may even slip to second bottom depending on Colchester United’s result against Sheffield United.
One thing which I have noticed with Preston is that they create so many good chances throughout the game but just struggled to put the ball in the back of the net. With captain Paul McKenna in midfield pulling the strings with his quality passing ability on the ball, and Simon Whaley on the wing fearlessly running at defenders posing a real direct threat, all they needed to do was finish a move by scoring a goal. They have done all the hard work by beating the opposing 10 outfield players but failed to beat the single man between the posts. Recently they have look a lot more clinical and speaking of keepers, despite the odd error here and there (which have been costly), Andy Lonergan has been brilliant, especially when on a one-on-one situation.
I was expecting the gaffer to buy a quality finisher in the transfer window, someone who really could replace Dave Nugent and score goals. Instead he bought Chris Brown from Norwich, someone who doesn’t have a good scoring record, but fair play he’s been a fantastic signing. The big front man has only scored one goal in a few appearances but what he does leading the front line has been top quality, holding the ball up extremely well and bringing others into play, something which PNE haven’t had and for £400,000 he’s proved to be a bargain. You will hardly see his name appear on Soccer Saturday with a goal, but I am sure he will get the biggest cheer from the Deepdale faithful at the final whistle every game, as proved by his Man of the Match debut performance against Watford. Former Burnley midfielder Richard Chaplow has been brought in to add steel to the midfield and I think that his addition for a surprisingly substantial fee will prove a good one come the business end of the season in May. The Preston boss has added to his weakened back-line with the arrivals of Neal Trotman from Oldham and Michael Hart from Aberdeen. Despite Hart being injured and Trotman being just 20-years-old, competition for places is now looking healthy especially with Billy Jones making a return from a knee injury last week. In my opinion purchasing Hart is a great coup for the club as they have secured a player who has UEFA Cup experience.
In the final game before writing, PNE lost 1-0 away to Norwich thanks to a goal in the 91st minute. The results means Preston remain 22nd in the table, one point behind Sheffield Wednesday who have a game in a hand, and may even slip to second bottom depending on Colchester United’s result against Sheffield United.
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