Next up at Portman Road, Preston NE. Chance to make it 3 on the spin at home, which has been our Achilles heal this season. However, we surely need to take the lead this time, after coming from behind vs both QPR and LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS. Reports I've read suggested it was a far improved performance last night vs the improving Yorkshiremen. According to BBC, we had 58% ball possession and 17 shots vs Leeds 4 which really backs that up. Preston I thought were in a bit of a dogfight, however, they've just won the last 4 on the bounce including an impressive victory vs one of the top 3 ( I M O ) in Hull City. A 2-0 win away at Burnley also springs out as a very decent result. Infact, Preston have won 5 of their last 8 league games so again this is quite a test. Yes okay it's a game " on paper " people might think tick it off, but we do know football doesn't work like this. For what it's worth, since Fraser is back to fitness our home form has improved no ends. He set up both last night and was badly missed. Surely one of the best wide men in this division. I have a feeling we'll edge this 2-1 ( third in a row ) however that's based on us taking the lead. I feel should we go behind Preston may make us rue this. I assume same line up barring potentially Pitman in for Murphy, however I'd imagine Mick will leave this. Our bench also has more attacking options compared with this time last season. We have the likes of Niles to come on, Varney is working his way back, Tommy Oar appears to be getting quite close to fitness. Be fantastic to have Bishop and McGoldrick back ASAP but we're doing alright without them thank you! Worth noting, it's a season ticket promotion special for this ( £10 a pop if you know a season ticket holder ) so if you're in the area, get yourself down to Portman Road! If you don't know a season ticket holder, someone on TWTD would no doubt help you out. COYB!
Yes we dominated yesterday, not sure which game Steve Evans was watching. Yes they were decent for first 15 mins, but after that... We were probably quite lucky at Deepdale earlier this season, Preston on a good run, we'll need to be as good as yesterday. I'll go for 3-2, it's going to be a tight one I think.
PNE are a tough team to play, they don't score many but don't concede many either so I think it will be a battle from start to finish and Town will have to be tight at the back to get the 3 points. Providing we carry on from where we left off v Leeds I can see Fraser and Sears causing them a lot of problems and plenty of crosses coming over for the front boys and 3 points on Saturday will ask questions of those in front of us as well as those chasing just behind us.
Be afraid the team will all be wearing shirts with the word Nugent on them, seriously having looked at the fixtures Bristol and yourselves away in the same week would have been think one point max, having won at Bristol anything points we get on Saturday will be considered a bonus by me. Missed the Deepdale game but will be travelling on Saturday.
For the first time in 2016, I'll be attending Portman Road, that tenner for a ticket is too good a deal to turn down! I hope the club can continue with these sorts of deals. Not sure how financially viable it is, but it's going to attract more people and we need that for atmosphere and to boost the flagging attendances. As for the match, I'm quietly optimistic, particularly after those victories against QPR and Leeds, regardless of the need for last minute winners. Dare I say it, but is our home form going to improve for the long run? We've got some favourable home fixtures coming up, on paper, and I'd argue Preston represent one of the easier teams we'll host in this half of the campaign, no disrespect intended. We are fifth in the table, on merit. Bar that notable blip in October, we've achieved some impressive results and almost matched our consistency from last season. What we need to do is ensure we avoid the mistakes of last year and keep up run of results. Easier said than done, of course. But it looks like we're not going to be 'found out' this time around, notably because we can mix our approach and, in my opinion, we possess a more diverse and varied squad of players this time around. I'm mirroring Westy's take on this game in some respects. Preston are in good form, so they clearly cannot be underestimated, but I don't think you can accuse our team, and Mick, of complacency this season. Fraser's comeback, and our upturn in form, are not coincidental. He is a player that, if we achieve promotion, we should look to add to our squad permanently. I hope Murphy, Sears, and Pitman all get a run out. I assume McGoldrick is going to be moved on, either this window or next, and I'll entertain any offers, despite of his undoubted technique. I know Varney has a few supporters on here, but I really don't think he should get on the pitch ahead of our main three strikers. He is a limited striker and should be considered back-up, although I note the staff should be admired for how they've handled his career and injury. I'm going for a 3-1 win to us. Murphy and Sears to get on the scoresheet (at the risk of jinxing myself, one of them usually scores when I've visited Portman Road the past year).
Its going to be a tough one, the sort of game that we sometimes cock-up. from the sounds of it, preston struggle against a bit of pace so hopefully Fraser and Sears can cause issues out wide for them and we can get the win. I'm going for a hopefully 3-0. Fraser, Murphs x 2
I wouldn't worry too much, Apparently all we do is lump it forward to our huge strikers Murphy, Sears and 5ft 6 Ryan Fraser!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm really not sure how after looking through our fixtures, Preston are one of the easiest ones left at all. They're a damned decent side. This is a very awkward test and we'll know a lot more come 17.00 tomorrow. Maclad I'm a bit perplexed how this fixture is supposedly one of our easier home games too, especially with us having the like of Charlton to come. I actually feel we'll draw this. Preston beat Hull H and Burnley A recently so are clearly batting well.
Agree Maclad this game is the exact sort of fixture I'm always wary about. While I have confidence in this being the best side we've had in quite some time - sure we made the play offs last season, but boy did Mick manage a bang average squad superbly - this time around in Fraser for example we've added some class. We've definitely got different feathers to our cap - ie - Should teams shut Murphy out, Pitman can come on. Should Fraser be quiet will Freddy? What have you made of your season? Good first one back I'd say!
