This Ipswich Game Could Not Have Come at a Worse Time for Us - Notes for Preston Friday, 3rd Nov 2017 11:00 by HarryFromBath HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at Portman Road by delving into their forums. “It has been a solid start to the season with some significant scalps already gathered”, “We’re having one of the most exciting seasons in recent history. Personally, I am loving it”, “I am happy with the way things are going. There is definitely a buzz around the place and I hope that this can continue.” “It has been great to watch Preston punch above their weight of late, but I remain sceptical as to whether we can sustain it. Our squad does not have the strength in depth of other clubs vying for a top-six spot”, “We are still a long way from being able to compete at the very top of the division.” “The weakest, most pathetic performance I have seen since Simon Grayson left.” North End arrive in Suffolk on Saturday winless in five games and having lost three games on the spin. Wednesday’s limp 2-0 home defeat to Villa saw them slip to 10th in the table, ahead of Town only on goal difference. “We are shipping goals for fun. We need to get back to being solid at the back as we were early in the season”, “This is the first sign of how we cope with a bad spell under Alex Neil. Hopefully we will respond positively but defensive options are a worry. It’s too soon for doom and gloom to descend.” “We are in an awful run of form but you need only look back to the start of the season to realise the key to this poor run. Our injury-free defence conceded just four goals in 10 games then”, “Preston’s flying start to the campaign may yet prove crucial in securing another season in the current division.” Defensive Injuries and a Lack of Confidence“A defensive injury list is crippling us”, “We have a good team, even a very good team, but I doubt many clubs could cope with this injury situation. As fans we have to be patient and accept that Plan A is out the door right now. Any points are a bonus right now and, in some cases, will be massive.” Preston have conceded 12 goals in the last five games. They have lost left-backs Greg Cunningham, Tommy Spurr (both knee) and Ben Davies (appendicitis), centre-half Tom Clarke (achilles) with full-backs Calum Wood and Josh Earl also very doubtful for Saturday after picking up knee injuries against Villa.  Tom Clarke v Brett Pitman“The defence is absolutely decimated at the moment.” They were further hampered on Wednesday as centre-half Paul Huntington was suspended for the Villa game after picking up five cautions this season. Fans fear that their patched-up defence is affecting the belief of the remaining players. “Confidence is the key and we currently have none”, “Even allowing for a makeshift defence, there have been worrying signs in recent games”, “This is a young team which has been hit with injuries and suspensions. We lack strength in depth”, “Teams don’t need that much quality to cut us open.” Alex Neil“I have really enjoyed Alex Neil so far, he has injected some much-needed pride, passion and work-rate into the side”, “We have a manager who tries to take the game to the opposition. He is a breath of fresh air and will succeed in improving us”, “No one can question his terrific desire and passion.” “Let’s see where Alex and the lads take us.” The 36-year-old former Hamilton and Norwich manager replaced Simon Grayson at the start of July and Lilywhites have warmed to his attacking, energetic brand of football which has been favourably contrasted with his predecessor’s cautious approach. “I like the way Alex has the team pressing high up the pitch and working hard to win the ball back as close to the opposition goal as possible, putting them under pressure”, “Hard work, organisation and determination are key things in his approach”, “He really likes to take the game to the opposition.” “Neil has proved he can get us playing well and winning, but he needs to show us that he can get us out of a rut like this”, “Norwich fans said he had no Plan B when games went badly or if they needed to see out a result. We never adjust the formation on the pitch when we need to change tactics.” A Committed Style of Football“We do not have the strength in depth to play the high-tempo style Neil wants”, “The attitude, spirit and hard work of this side are among the best I have seen. To be brutally honest, we do lack quality and experience in key areas”, “The more you look at the squad the more we seem to have big gaps.” “We play a high intensity style, which means we are committing more fouls than anyone else in the league and we have looked very leggy”, “Playing this high tempo and closing teams down takes a toll on the squad with injuries and suspensions. We don’t have enough strength in depth to sustain it.” MaxwellFisherBoyleWoodsEarlPearsonJohnsonBarkhuizenBrowneMaguireHugill
The starting line-up (above) for the Villa game included the makeshift centre-back pair of right-back Calum Woods and league debutant Andy Boyle. When Woods and Josh Earl came off injured, Alan Browne moved from midfield to centre-half and left-back Kevin O’Connor came on for his debut. “We miss having an old wise head in midfield.” Fans have criticised a lack of bite in the centre of the park with veteran holding midfielder John Welsh now a bench option. Ben Pearson is criticised for “chasing shadows” and Daniel Johnson is seen as more effective operator playing further forward. Neil has used strikers in wide attacking roles but this has exposed the backline. “We need attacking players to track back or we will see more of our recent results”, “If we leave inexperienced full-backs in one-on-one match-ups with Championship wingers, we will concede goals and plenty of them.” “Goalscoring doesn’t seem to be the problem.” Jordan Hugill is praised for his industry leading the line and freeing space for the supporting attackers. He was isolated against Villa as the visitors took control of midfield. Fans feel he will form a strong partnership with the more mobile Sean Maguire. Preston 0 — 2 Aston Villa“That was terrible”, “We caused Villa no problems, a poor one-dimensional attacking strategy and so little in terms of creative passes and movement from a talented midfield”, “We were second best in all departments. We had no energy, no fight and could not pass regardless of a makeshift defence.” Aston Villa strolled to a comfortable win at Deepdale courtesy of two first-half goals. James Chester took advantage a free header to open the scoring from a Robert Snodgrass corner on 12 minutes and Snodgrass added a second on 33, finding space on the edge of the area to sweep home. “Villa are a strong, experienced side but we look awful, gaps all over the place”, “With a weakened defence I was hoping for a bit better from our midfield and attack, keeping possession, putting Villa under pressure, closing down and winning challenges”, “Villa coasted to a comfortable three points.” Preston 2 — 3 Brentford“I know we had a weakened defence through injuries today, but that was a disappointing result”, “We were all over the place, no cohesion at all”, “There was no bite or aggression today. We were second to every ball, passed sloppily and there was and a lack of desire”, “We were done by our bogey team again.” Brentford opened the scoring in an open game last Saturday when Nico Yennaris headed home after Florian Josefzoon’s shot has been saved on 25 minutes, but Sean Maguire equalised for Preston four minutes before the interval with a “brilliant individual goal” finished from 15 yards out. Romaine Sawyers struck on 56 to put the Bees back in front but Tom Barkhuizen restored parity again from the edge of the box 10 minutes later. Ollie Watkins scored what would prove to be the winning goal three minutes later for the West Londoners, connecting with Josefzoon’s low cross. MaxwellFisherHuntingtonWoodsEarlPearsonJohnsonBarkhuizenRobinsonMaguireHugill
“All-out attack, this is a line-up that will run riot or get in its own way.” Alex Neil decided that attack was the best form of defence when the line-up (above) was announced. Four strikers - Jordan Hugill, Callum Robinson, Sean Maguire and Tom Barkhuizen — were selected to take the game to Brentford. “That was far more than a bad day at the office. We had players out, but that was as bad as I have seen for a while”, “At times it looked like Brentford would score every time they attacked”, “Huge credit to Brentford. They beat us at our own game, high tempo pressing and a great use of space.” Wolves 3 — 2 Preston“No disgrace in losing at Wolves”, “One of those horrible games where we start and look fine and before you know it we’re two down”, “Good to see us fight back from 3-0 down. We might have snatched it on another day”, “We showed passion but lacked a clinical touch when we needed it.” Wolves won a feisty encounter at Molineux last Saturday week. Ivan Cavaleiro gave Wolves the lead just before half-time finishing a Barry Douglas cross. The hosts added two more goals when Leo Bonatini scored a penalty on 59 and slotted home four minutes later after Chris Maxwell had parried a shot. Hugill pulled a goal back two minutes later and Wolves defender Conor Coady put through his own goal on 76 minutes to set up an exciting finale, but Preston’s Alan Browne was dismissed in second half stoppage time for a second caution. This result ended the Lilywhites’ nine-game unbeaten run. MaxwellFisherHuntingtonDaviesEarlPearsonJohnsonBarkhuizenBrowneHarropHugill
The starting XI (above) was Ben Davies’s last game before he became ill with appendicitis, the left-back was partnering Huntington at the centre of the defence. Maguire was absent with a hamstring injury and was replaced by the pacy Josh Harrop. There was also a stoppage-time mass player confrontation. “Little things let us down, silly penalties and a lack of experience to calm things down”, “We need to sort out our discipline. We do seem to get a lot of soft yellow cards but we don’t help ourselves. Instead of getting angry we should move away. We show the wrong type of fight at the moment.” Goalkeepers and Defenders“Chris Maxwell’s style of play will cost us the odd point over a season. However, it will win us more points than it costs us.” The 27-year-old former Fleetwood man “is a sweeper-keeper who will try to come out and command his space”, “Under Alex Neil, he has been absolutely superb playing for us.”  Chris Maxwell saves a penalty against Aston Villa“I like Maxwell’s alertness and exuberance but there’s a time and place for it. It’s good that he tries to collect crosses but he doesn’t have to collect every one”, “I like his all-action style, he is absolutely fearless”, “Sometimes his aggressive and positive style works for us, sometimes it works against us.” “Darnell Fisher is a good tackler but never seems to overlap his winger.” The 23-year-old right-back and former Miller “looks like he has no confidence in his passing. Every time he gets the ball he just hoofs it downfield”, “He aimlessly kicks the ball rather than looking up and crossing with a purpose.” “Fisher’s positioning was all over the shop against Villa”, “He was turned too easily, and was ahead of the ball the majority of the time. This meant that Villa has lots of space to attack down their left”, “His fitness is being tested with Alex Neil asking the full-backs to play box-to-box for 90 minutes.” “Calum Woods lacks the physical build of a centre-half.” North Enders noted that the right-back had good mobility against Villa before picking up his knee injury. Fans also said that 18-year-old left-back Josh Earl, who was also injured on Wednesday, struggled with Woods beside him at left-centre-back. “Good luck to Kevin O’Connor, what a baptism of fire.” The 22-year-old summer addition from Cork City “looked decent and offered us another option at left-back. He put a couple of cracking balls into the box”, “He looked solid and lively, and given the totally new defence he didn’t look out of place.” “To be fair, Andy Boyle won everything in the air against Villa.” The 26-year-old January arrival from Dundalk “doesn’t look like a Championship centre-half. He is slow on the turn, looks both wooden and unathletic and gets in a muddle, letting the ball bounce. He is going to be needed this weekend”. “Boyle made some vital blocks and had a half-decent game on Wednesday. He looked pretty solid given that he has hardly played”, “The jury is out for me. I would love him to succeed but he looks a little slow”, He hoofs the ball up the field at every chance and he has no direction to his heading.” Paul Huntington“What a colossus Huntington is, he’s awesome in every game.” The 30-year-old former Yeovil defender was suspended for the Villa defeat and was badly missed. “He’s not the most talented player in our side but he has a better attitude than anyone in this division”, “A solid defender and great in the air.”  Grant Ward v Paul Huntington“Any ball in the air that comes to Huntington and he deals with it, although he lacks pace and can be caught out at times”, “He’s a goal threat from our corner kicks and his passing has also improved”, “His talking is keeping the defence stable. He has been immense this season, long may it continue.” Central Midfielders“’John Welsh stands there and you know what is coming. It’s like a train hitting you in the back’ — Alex Neil. That’s the most accurate description I have ever heard.” The 33-year-old ex-Tranmere man “is a no-nonsense player and a good old-fashioned tackler, but he is now limited in what he can do”. “I’m not sure whether Paul Gallagher suits the new high-intensity attacking game.” The 33-year-old ex-Leicester man made a rare bench appearance against Villa. “He made a difference when he came on by hitting Hugill with diagonal balls”, “He’s a class act, the question is whether he has the legs.” “Ben Pearson looked really awful against Villa.” The 22-year-old ex-Manchester United youth player “was very poor, taking too many touches and passing erratically. He sold Boyle short in the build up to Villa’s second goal”, “I don’t think he made a single tackle and I thought he was carrying a knock.”  Josh Emmanuel v Ben Pearson“Pearson spends the game shielding the back four and starting our passing moves off from deep”, “He never stops running and if it wasn’t for his efforts against Brentford we might have lost by more goals”, “He has a stormer where he breaks everything up but these games are few and far between.” “Daniel Johnson is wasted in that sitting role.” The 25-year-old former Aston Villa man “doesn’t pull his weight when we don’t have the ball. I don’t expect heavy tackles but you can run hard off the ball and harry players into errors, and make interceptions”, “Why can’t he put a tackle or a block in?”  Daniel Johnson“Johnson is a skilful player and a scorer of high quality goals. Put him in front of a midfield three and he will deliver 10-15 goals a season, but it’s completely pointless putting him in a defensive role”, “He had no presence at all, jogging back for the Villa second goal and had no desire to close down.” Alan Browne“Alan has come on in leaps and bounds.” The 22-year-old ex-Cork City man “is a team-mates’ dream. He closes down when others are tired, he chases lost causes, he wins corners and throw-ins and puts the opposition under pressure for 90 minutes. He forces errors and he doesn’t let opponents relax.”  Forest's Nicklas Bendtner v Alan Browne“Alex Neil has found a role which suits Browne, pressing further up the pitch. He has kicked on again, but his little kick-out that got him a second booking at Wolves was utter idiocy”, “He did better than anyone could have expected as a centre-half against Villa, although he did get over-run at times.” Wide Attackers and Wingers“Josh Harrop is very direct and wants to go forward.” The 21-year-old July arrival from Manchester United’s youth team “needs to justify Alex Neil’s faith in him by really making an impact. He is a real danger from any freekick situation 30 yards or so from goal”, “He definitely has a fiery side in him.” “Harrop can be naïve at times but he does have potential”, “He is skilful but selfish. He doesn’t cover his full-back when stationed out wide”, “He hasn’t covered himself in glory lately with his tracking back”, “He just needs time to adjust to relentlessly playing fast-paced physical first-team football.” “Daryl Horgan seems to be a busy and energetic performer when he comes on, but most of the time he runs into blind alleys, misplaces his passes or over/under-hits crosses.” The 25-year-old former Dundalk right winger “usually excites the crowd. He’s quite like an inexperienced Aiden McGeady”.  Daryl Horgan for Dundalk“One of the good things about Horgan is that he likes to have a shot”, “His defensive and work-rate side is better than other players, especially in away games”, “He is energetic and tenacious with a mix of attacking talent and defensive ability”, “He has guile and should get chances from the bench.” “Callum Robinson aggravates the hell out of me with his decision-making and execution in the final third.” The 22-year-old ex-Aston Villa striker “takes up other players’ positions, finding himself under their feet and he seems five yards off everything. He is not happy playing behind the frontman.” “Robinson can’t play when the opposition have attacking full-backs because he doesn’t switch on quickly enough”, “He can’t defend or make a tackle”, “He is weak as hell defensively and we defend effectively a man down”, “I don’t expect much when he cuts in from the left and looks to shoot.” Tom Barkhuizen“Tom is the fastest player in the team and the best finisher.” The 24-year-old ex-Morecambe striker “is going to have an utterly dominant game at some point where he destroys the opposition single-handed”, “He has blistering pace and knows where the net is. He is tall so he wins aerial challenges.” “The key thing with Tom is to play him in a way which allows him to drive into the penalty area”, “He works hard and holds the ball up well but has the technical ability of a frog. He is best at running on the ball and finishing, not intricate build-up play”, “He’s our least comfortable attacker on the ball.” Strikers“I’m getting a little tired of Stephy Mavididi, poor touches and poor passes.” The 19-year-old is on a season-long loan from Arsenal, having been loaned out to Charlton for part of last season. “He is still at the headless chicken stage running with his head down. He will learn to look up with experience.” “Mavididi is an absolute beast and has looked dangerous coming on from the bench”, “He clearly has talent, pace and power, and he will need to adjust to the rigours of the Championship”, “He still is a tad sloppy on the ball, but he is more involved and puts himself about more than in his first games.” “Sean Maguire brings energy, aggression and directness to our attacks.” The 23-year-old June signing from Cork City “is a constant menace who does a huge amount of running. He has the ability to run with the ball close to his feet which is hard to defend”, “He suits a fast passing game on the deck. “Maguire is quick, sharp and energetic. He has pace and a willingness to get in behind defences. He’s a disruptive player”, “He goes down easier than Joey Garner”, “He always tries to do things before he gets the ball under control. He needs to learn not to half-turn before he has the ball at this level.” Jordan Hugill“Jordan Hugill is a nightmare to play against and creates so much space for others”, “He has caused problems for most teams we have played this season. His hold-up play is quality, he links with other players and his finishing is better than last year”, “His commitment to the team has been first class.”  Jordan Hugill of Preston celebrates late equaliser“A lot of Championship teams need a Hugill, big and powerful, someone who can hold the ball up and allow others players to link into play.” The 25-year-old former Port Vale man and January Town target “really dominated Villa in the air, knocking down countless crosses but ne needed players to be moving closer to him.” “Hugill does far more than rough up centre-halves”, “He’s a very powerfully built striker playing in an era where having that ability alongside purely technical players is hugely valuable. He buys everyone space and time, pulling more and more markers out of position and freeing up our faster players.” Lilywhites’ Views on ITFC and the Game“We need to go to Ipswich and get back to playing that pressing game, but we must stop giving goals away”, “Something tell me that we will arrest our slide on Saturday”, “We still have to try to be better than Ipswich. This is not a time to be defeatist.” “Ipswich will be a tough test on Saturday”, “With Huntington back on Saturday and Ipswich in even worse form than us, I fancy us to roll our sleeves up and get a result there despite our poor showing at Villa”, “We will grind out a result at Ipswich. That’s all we need to get our confidence back.” Fans are divided between those who believe they will arrest a blip in form and others who think this is a game too far. “The reality check will come on Saturday when we're found out for our one day’s less rest and for our small squad much weakened due to injury. I can see Ipswich having a field day.” “The way big Mick's teams play we could be set for more injuries”, “We must be up for a battle and looking at the team that played Villa I’m not sure they will be up for it. We look weary in our tempo, attacking ideas and confidence, and both Hugill and Johnson are one yellow away from a ban.” “Would Ipswich really leave six players out for the mighty PNE? I don't think McCarthy would surely, unless it was a Checkatrade Trophy tie”, “The two main omissions were Waghorn and McGoldrick”, “McCarthy may have thought he had a better chance of beating PNE at home than Cardiff away.” “Do you think McGoldrick would be a ready-made replacement for Hugill?”, “McGoldrick is a really good player. My Nottingham Forest mate never shuts up about him as well, he really rated him. That said, maybe he doesn’t have enough of a physical side to his game to replace Hugill.” “A Garner hat-trick?”, “Knowing our luck though Garner will score six against us”, “It made me laugh reading that we need someone like Garner rather than a player who spends most of his time on the deck claiming a freekick. Really funny that”, “We won't boo Garner because he'll applaud the fans.” “I wouldn’t take Garner back. The key difference is that he’s playing in a strike partnership at Ipswich. He would be alone up top here, as Hugill has been. Despite being brilliant in the air, he cannot combine the role of target man and goal threat at the same time.” “The situation we are in is quite ironic. I think this is our worst injury situation since January 2003 when we had eight of our regular first-teamers out either injured or suspended and who did we play next? None other than Ipswich away — the result was that we lost 3-0.” WebsitesThe busiest Lilywhites’ message board is the friendly and knowledgeable PNE Discussions.
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