The Official Preston North End v Bristol City Match Day Thread

[Esmond Million's Bung]

2 minutes ago, reddogkev said:

In all fairness, you may well be right.  Truth be told, Brentford were good for the win, and we were absolute crap in the first half.

But going into that second period, having somehow kept them down to the 2 goals (mainly due to FF) a 2-2 draw was definitely there for us.

Still on to this evening; just hope the players start quicker and cut out the sloppy defending.

I don't believe that we 'KEPT' them down to 2 goals, as I keep reminding people, we are an easy team to beat LJ has said teams don't have to do to much to beat us.

[Major Isewater]

4 hours ago, havanatopia said:

 

Good day everyone,

Will divine intervention be required in order for City to remain in the Championship? I am sure the vast majority of us know full well that no such mythical inspiration can save the club from such an ignominious end to a campaign that promised so much but has delivered absolutely nothing. In fact worse than that, the club has gone backwards and the owner spent millions in order to do so. Perhaps the only divine inspiration was the variety that went off in somebody's head when Steve Lansdown decided to give a job to a Championship virgin and then repeat the feat with Dean Holden. We know from Mr Lansdown himself that he had many reservations about the first of those decisions.

The name Preston means Priest Town so perhaps we can hope, on a wing and prayer, that the players will decide to turn on their undoubted talent juices this evening because no supposed inspirational team talk from the coaches is going to cut it. Of course God may have overlooked Preston in Lancashire and instead bestowed his good fortune on another settlement called Preston, now Prestonpans, in East Lothian. Legend has it that the settlement was founded by a Viking named Althamer who became shipwrecked on the Scottish lowland shores, survived with his crew, remained and created a settlement back in the 11th century. This painting of his viking ship with his oarsmen rowing into Scottish waters certainly does not convey an image of treachery or stormy waters that night. More one of a group of hapless footballers unknowingly walking into a cataclysmic disaster.

Monks arrived in later years and gave the settlement their own name, Prieststown or Prieston. Because of the salt manufacturing carried out by the monks using pans on the sea shore, the town’s name would later develop into Salt Prieststown and Salt Preston, and finally Prestonpans.

The image above shows Althamers ship passing Bass Rock, near Dunbar, as the sun sets over the River Forth, on the evening before their hard landing on Scotland’s shores.

The simile between this vessel and City seemingly sleep walking into Division One I thought was beautifully depicted; Tranquility before the impending doom. Titanic in miniature perhaps. Of course with Altamer he has no control over the weather less knowing when it is coming. In the case of BCFC it seems the vast majority around the club, such as us fans, probably a majority of people within the club and those looking in from afar, such as other clubs, can seemingly see what is slowly yet inexorably unravelling before our eyes. So perhaps this comparison is less of a simile and more a parable. Either way you get the point.

Deepdale is a rather nice stadium I always think; i visited in our title winning season where we garnered a reasonably satisfactory 1-1 draw. We played rather nervously that day I thought yet there was a warm glow about the club, about the players, fans and the manager; a glow that essentially told us all that we were heading for inevitable promotion. The glow may have, in part, been assisted by a pint of the excellent local brew in the Preston Working Mens club where we had been invited to enter by the jolly friendly locals. That day is clear in my mind and yet it may as well be a lifetime ago such is the change in fortunes of the club we have signed up to support for a similar duration.

I will keep my fingers crossed the magnificent travelling fans return from Lancashire with something to feel good about.

UTC

p.s. My thanks to pongo88 for asking me to include Prestonpans in this match day thread. I hope i have done so to a satisfactory fashion Pongo. 

And also my thanks to Andrew Hillhouse who is the clever fella who painted the viking ship. Go check him out for his work here:- www.andrewhillhouseprints.co.uk 

 

 

No wonder you didn't get the Brentford thread out on time you must have been working on this one , I haven't read it all as I have a doctor's appointment Friday evening. 

Bless you H .

Which City will turn up tonight ? 

The scintillating team who beat Huddersfield or the stinkers who embarrassed the club on Saturday ? 

Who knows or even cares anymore ? 

If the club don't why should we ? 

Anyhow a massive to the fans who are traveling up to Lancashire . You are Bristol City .

Sing songs of redemption and cider .

You are the passion and the heartbeat of this club not Bristol Spurt , nor Mark' eting Ashton , Lansdown or The three vestal virgins training our bewildered players.

Shout for us me babbers. 

[Mortis]

15 minutes ago, Ska Junkie said:

Hi Mortis, CIU from your forum here.

You are overestimating us mate, it should be a very comfortable home win. We won't spoil your holidays, at least I certainly don't expect us to.

 

Hi Ska , in fairness whilst we have had a superb season and Grayson is building a really good team with a blend of experience , youth and pace which we have missed , the areas of concern for me ahead of tonights game are we have three fullbacks out injured and have had for a period and playing Clarke at F/B whilst he is a club legend , the lack of pace and the gap exploited by Assombalonga is ready made for Abraham IMO , we also haven't found the right mix in recent matches to partner Pearson in midfield but the return of Gallagher is a huge plus for us and then other than McGeady ( and hes the key player for us and has been Premiership quality for months ) we don't have goals in us with Hugill looking very jaded , Robinson a little of the pace and still I keep seeing that 4-0 Huddersfield Town performance and knowing tonight we be a stern test regardless of your position / display at Brentford .... 

Edited April 4, 2017 by Mortis

[Ska Junkie]

Just now, Mortis said:

Hi Ska , in fairness whilst we have had a superb season and Grayson is building a really good team with a blend of experience , youth and pace which we have missed , the areas of concern for me ahead of tonights game is we have three fullbacks out injured and have had for a period and playing Clarke at F/B whilst he is a club legend , the lack of pace and the gap exploited by Assombalonga is ready made for Abraham IMO , we also haven't found the right mix in recent matches to partner Pearson in midfield but the return of Gallagher is a huge plus for us and then other than McGeady ( and hes the key player for us and has been Premiership quality for months ) we don't have goals in us with Hugill looking very jaded , Robinson a little of the pace and still I keep seeing that 4-0 Huddersfield Town performance and knowing tonight we be a stern test regardless of your position / display at Brentford .... 

That was our best / only display in months fella. I really wouldn't worry. Tammy is very, very good but we don't give him any type of service. As for fullbacks, what are they? We play midfielders in both fullback positions. McGeady, with his pace and movement, will have a field day up against Flinty and Bailey Wright.

You've really go nothing to worry about, we're a pale shadow of the team we were. Good players certainly but totally devoid of any leadership whatsoever. You will see lots of pointing and shrugging of shoulders from our lot as they don't seem to know what they are supposed to be doing.

It really IS that bad!

[Major Isewater]

1 hour ago, reddogkev said:

How do you define a gutless defeat?  If our well-worked chances had been taken, we could've drawn 2-2 on Saturday.  There seems to be a myth that the City players aren't trying to win games, aren't trying to compete.  This is nonsense, the truth is, as shown by the League Table - the City team just isn't that good compared to the rest of the Championship.  We are capable of the odd surprise result (4-0 to Huddersfield, decent away draw to Newcastle etc) but on the whole, we are a bottom 5 team. 

I've not seen evidence of gutless defeats, just a struggling team, who for 45 minutes on Saturday couldn't compete with an aggressive, quick, Brentford team who pressed us into mistakes and kept us pinned into our own half.  The second half performance was much better, and had Tammy and Taylor scored their inviting chances, we could be here on the back of an excellent point.

IF  , it doesn't wash anymore, we've had bad luck certainly but so have our opponents at times . I am fed up to the back teeth with excuses.

We don't  need excuses we need wins .

[Mortis]

3 minutes ago, Ska Junkie said:

That was our best / only display in months fella. I really wouldn't worry. Tammy is very, very good but we don't give him any type of service. As for fullbacks, what are they? We play midfielders in both fullback positions. McGeady, with his pace and movement, will have a field day up against Flinty and Bailey Wright.

You've really go nothing to worry about, we're a pale shadow of the team we were. Good players certainly but totally devoid of any leadership whatsoever. You will see lots of pointing and shrugging of shoulders from our lot as they don't seem to know what they are supposed to be doing.

It really IS that bad!

Regardless I hope you stay up and sort out the club in the summer as you clearly state on paper that squad looks I would suggest as good as ours and makes me realise just how fortunate we are to have Simon in charge of recruitment and it is simply staggering to see us sat in 8th with the lack of money spent in assembling this team , of course I hope your team don't turn up tonight and we have a comfortable home win but regardless will be hoping and still think you will stay up as it woudl e travesty with the money spent and your fan base / ground to see you back in League One ...not often Ive said this being a Preston fan but McGeady is worth the entrance money alone this season / same perhaps as Tammy for you ... all the best Mortis 

[WhistleHappy]

4 hours ago, BigTone said:

Condensed Version

Preston

Abandoned by God who we hope will support us tonight.

Pic attached of new BCFC team transport for away games.

1-1

Think the pic is actually a search and rescue vessel Tone  ... out looking for the Lansdown Babes who are currently up a creek somewhere without a paddle, capt Johnson still hasn't worked out how to work the rudder, they're going helplessly round in circles, slowly heading towards whitewater rapids and precarious waterfalls....

If they're not miraculously rescued sometime soon, or someone needs to get a grip on board the good ship Robin (I'm sure there's a couple of short planks on board  )... then the Lansdown Babes are doomed.  

 

 

[Redmycolour]

3 hours ago, Esmond Million's Bung said:

Predict another gutless defeat to add to the ever growing list of gutless defeats.

LJ will preach to his disciples with tales of turning water into wine post match and they will be verily satisfied and proclaim that he is the son of GJ and regail us with verses of excuses for I say LJ is not too blame, everybody else is, amen.

On a personal level on a break in sunny Devon, views overlooking Dartmoor, just witnessed a barn owl hatching, busy day ahead, in the words of the kaiser chiefs I predict a fry up.

And me but Im in Dawlish warren

 

[Sweeneys Penalties]

I predict another defeat BUT I had a look at the remaining fixtures last night, and I honestly can't see Blackburn doing any better than City in those remaining fixtures. The game at Ewood Park is soooo important though

[...]

Preston are a strong side at home, and our away record is piss poor.

If anything, it is our shocking away form that has stopped us being mid-table this season - apart from having 'dog's breath' as manager (obviously).

So: good home team; we are shit.

Knowing City, this can ONLY mean an away win!!

2-1 to City!

 

 

tfj  regardless of result 

Edited April 4, 2017 by Taxi for Johnson

[B block]

4 minutes ago, Sweeneys Penalties said:

I predict another defeat BUT I had a look at the remaining fixtures last night, and I honestly can't see Blackburn doing any better than City in those remaining fixtures. The game at Ewood Park is soooo important though

Bad start tonight, 1-0 Preston half time 

better second half but hit on counter 2-0

late counter to limit to 2-1 followed by hitting the bar in injury time

lj to say, I know whose trying we go again, there's still games left we will stay up blah blah blah 

hope in wrong but the Blackburn games massive and can't see us winning up there

[...]

5 hours ago, Rednwhiterob said:

I'm expecting us to bounce back tonight. 2 nil to the Cider Reds.

Bollocks, it will be 2-1 to City.

[...]

Just now, B block said:

Bad start tonight, 1-0 Preston half time 

better second half but hit on counter 2-0

late counter to limit to 2-1 followed by hitting the bar in injury time

lj to say, I know whose trying we go again, there's still games left we will stay up blah blah blah 

hope in wrong but the Blackburn games massive and can't see us winning up there

If you put £50 on all that happening, exactly as you say, you can pay your mortgage off in the morning.

Well done.

[B block]

1 minute ago, Taxi for Johnson said:

Bollocks, it will be 2-1 to City.

I'd bite your hand off for a 2-1 win

[Major Isewater]

5 minutes ago, B block said:

I'd bite your hand off for a 2-1 win

I'd take even a point . 

[CotswoldRed]

3 hours ago, reddogkev said:

How do you define a gutless defeat?  If our well-worked chances had been taken, we could've drawn 2-2 on Saturday.  There seems to be a myth that the City players aren't trying to win games, aren't trying to compete.  This is nonsense, the truth is, as shown by the League Table - the City team just isn't that good compared to the rest of the Championship.  We are capable of the odd surprise result (4-0 to Huddersfield, decent away draw to Newcastle etc) but on the whole, we are a bottom 5 team. 

I've not seen evidence of gutless defeats, just a struggling team, who for 45 minutes on Saturday couldn't compete with an aggressive, quick, Brentford team who pressed us into mistakes and kept us pinned into our own half.  The second half performance was much better, and had Tammy and Taylor scored their inviting chances, we could be here on the back of an excellent point.

If Brentford had scored their well worked chances too it wouldn't have been 2-2

[RedM]

Barely crawling along in traffic just north of Birmingham. Lots of 40 ph restrictions but we aren't moving

[Offside]

I'm finding it difficult to feel any optimism about tonight's game. Our away form has been so dreadful. 

[Garland-sweden]

8 hours ago, City_USA said:

Looking forward to meeting up with some fellow Reds tonight. Wish I felt more enthusiastic about the actual game itself after watching that mess on Saturday. But that's what we need to do right? Dust ourselves off, still believe and hope that the thousands of miles travelled and the hundreds of $ spent to get here will be worth it......COYR!

Really hope we get a good result tonight. You travelled a long way, 3 points would be more than great. Always believe, Coyr!

[Major Isewater]

43 minutes ago, RedM said:

Barely crawling along in traffic just north of Birmingham. Lots of 40 ph restrictions but we aren't moving

It sounds ominously like a match report ! 

[havanatopia]

4 hours ago, Mortis said:

the lack of pace and the gap exploited by Assombalonga is ready made for Abraham IMO

Knowing our incompetent general he will put Tammy in the centre of defence tonight so you'll be fine.

2 hours ago, Major Isewater said:

I'd take even a point . 

I'd be mildly satisfied with a narrow defeat because the hilarity of listening to Johnson Jr saying this narrow hard fought defeat will boost our confidence for Saturday will be almost as satisfying; that is how bad it has becone.

[City_USA]

21 minutes ago, Garland-sweden said:

Really hope we get a good result tonight. You travelled a long way, 3 points would be more than great. Always believe, Coyr!

I sure did Garland-sweden. 3 points shouldn't be too much to ask should it?

[RedM]

About an hour away now, after moving better we still not getting out of 2nd gear...I'll let you decide if that's a motorway update or a traffic report!

[daored]

Just now, RedM said:

About an hour away now, after moving better we still not getting out of 2nd gear...I'll let you decide if that's a motorway update or a traffic report!

Or a description of the team's approach to the game. Preston is lovely this evening by the way 

[miser]

On the bright side, it's a sunny day in Preston with a nice northern wind chill. Energetic first half required to keep warm !

[Major Isewater]

1 minute ago, RedM said:

About an hour away now, after moving better we still not getting out of 2nd gear...I'll let you decide if that's a motorway update or a traffic report!

How's Tomlin doing ? 

[Garland-sweden]

49 minutes ago, City_USA said:

I sure did Garland-sweden. 3 points shouldn't be too much to ask should it?

No, dont think so. Gotta feeling we win, 2-1.

[...]

1 hour ago, RedM said:

Barely crawling along in traffic just north of Birmingham. Lots of 40 ph restrictions but we aren't moving

That would be God punishing you for doing NOTHING about the disgraceful swearing on the forum on Saturday.

 

 

tfj  

[...]

27 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

How's Tomlin doing ? 

Finishing his second kebab, and already eying the trifle.

Why the question??

 

tfj

[...]

If we win all our remaining games this season, I have decided to allow Lee to keep his job, until someone better can take over, on the strict condition this will be before July 1st.

It's my final offer.

Take it or leave it Johnson.