Deepdale in January with sub zero tempretures on a Sunday against Walsall, a thrilling start to the New Year, not really. Promises to be another turgid home game, with the away side sitting deep and catching us on the break with speedy forwards, sounds familiar doesn't it. Wasn't overly impressed with Saddlers against Portsmouth, although the two lads up front looked useful. Also they have the dependable Andy Butler in defence, so won't be easy to break down Sunday is a celebration of the first year of Westley being in charge, prices have been reduced to entice the unlucky punter into Deepdale. Changes again for the Whites Stuckie will be back between the sticks after Simmonsen's non faked injury. Promises to be a classic but it won't be, you can bet your life on that. Two good points though, we are unbeaten on a Sunday this season and it could be off because of the weather
Having read what you said on the Coventry game, it seemed to be a very disappointing game especially seeing that Coventry were not much cop either. With capable strikers like Beavon & Garner, it seems we need a Spavin tyoe player. He could ping a ball so accurately. He had no speed but did not need it. Anyway, GW has a chance tomorrow to turn the season upwards as he always says his teams get better in the second half of the season.
As predictable as snow and ice in winter Preston slumped to yet another home defeat at the hands of Walsall. The 9823 who attended the family fun day to mark Graham Westley's first year as a manger of Preston will not be returning in droves after this shocker of a performance. Once Brandy had opened the scoring for the visitors in the 18th minute, there was going to be only one winner. North End had already had two warnings in the opening minutes but giant keeper Stuckmann had already made two great saves to keep the home side level. A Wroe shot at the other end was well saved by McLoughlin in the Walsall net. The home side were unlucky in the 17th minute when Beavon squirmed free and squared the ball towards Garner who had the simple task of putting the ball in the net, well he would have done if he hadn't been pulled down by a defender, nothing was given, astonishing decision. To add insult to injury within a minute the Saddlers were ahead. Grigg easily dispossessed Foster at the edge of the box before squaring the ball to Brandy who scored from close range. (0-1) Baxendale had two chances to increase the lead, he should have scored the first when he had plenty of time to lob the ball over the keeper but put it wide, thenalso narrowly missed with a 20 yards shot. The second was soon to arrive, when Chambers cross was easily headed into the net by Downing. (0-2) A Holmes shot went narrowly wide just on half time for the home side but that did nothing to lift the gloom. An early shout for a Walsall penalty in the second half turned down but a third goal was soon to arrive following another Foster error, Grigg benefitting from the error squared the ball to Baxendale to hammer home the third. (0-3) This was the sign for quite a few home supporters to head for the exit zone and to be honest who could blame them. A great save from a Holmes free kick by McLoughlin kept out the home side, but Walsall always looked like catching the robotic home side out and Grigg really should have done better after more awful defending. Deep in injury time Wright headed home a consolation, the ironic cheers summed the mood up of the home fans. (1-3) As I said this game was a celebration to mark Westley's first anniversary, he should receive a card with a P45 in it. Preston North End 1 Walsall 3 Att 9823
Beginning to see things your way now, Maclad. I have been on the side of 'he has been successful elsewhere' and not judged him on past history. The couple of games I saw were good games, but he has lost two influential players that upseet his apple cart. But after these series of defeat, it is hard to see NE getting into the play offs and that must be his ultimate brief. So, he is on borrowed time. He needs some spectacular results to stay in his job as far as I am concerned. They used to say 'You are as good as your last match', PNE 1 Walsall 3!
To be fair to him Barnet, some of the signings are decent, however his style of play and inability to change tactics is his main downfall, if we fall behind in a match especially at home, we are goosed. Teams catch us on the break and the slowness of some of the team is not a help. Also his quotes don't do him any favours. Interesting to see what happens on Saturday against Coventry
TH is supporting him attributing the downturn to 'injuries'! Admittedly, the match against Brentford was a turning point with the loss of the two players especially Keane. However, the loan replacements have not been a success. Let's hope the new signing on loan from Leeds is better. I think since the departure of Moyses' chief scout (can't remember hims name) we have recruited some dud players. By the way, have you ever had the pleasure of spending hours in winter waiting for a train on Leeds station! Cold comfort barn! I had that experience on Friday night coming bact from Leuchars/St Andrews.
130 plus team changes this season, not all down to injuries, admittedly losing both full backs in the same game didn't help, however he had a left full back on the books Buchanan and kept playing him at left wing whilst having a centre half fill in at left back, same on the other side as well, brought Kane in as loan on right back barely played him, when he did he played him on the wing. As for Leeds station, not on my wish list.
