Preston North End (a) – Fri 18th Dec 19:45 – What Can We Expect?

[Mr Popodopolous]

Hope to be proven wrong here but Martin seems like he's running on empty- not sure I'd have started him.

Wells, might 2 vs 1 in wide areas be a concern? He's not one of those natural players when it comes to pulling left and inside again.

At least Kalas and Wells were fit in the end!

Looks not that far off a reasonably first choice starting X1 for Preston- more than can be said for us!

[Prinny]

 

Line ups

[cidercity1987]

Got no chance of a result tonight with such a skeleton squad. No blame on Holden for this game in my opinion

[mozo]

I never thought we'd see Nagy and Massengo as a regular pair in midfield.

It's amazing that injuries to Weimann, Brunt, Walsh, Williams and Paterson (not to mention Bakinson and his issues) have created that opportunity. 

[MC RISK77]

1 minute ago, Northern Red said:

His red card the other night?

Haha ooops, I didn’t even watch it to be fair, and think I swerved it 

[Lanterne Rouge]

Just now, cidercity1987 said:

Got no chance of a result tonight with such a skeleton squad. No blame on Holden for this game in my opinion

it`s one to just get through and regroup IMO.

[Sheltons Army]

Not sure there’s too much too argue with there (I might have gone Antoine with Wells)

[Eddie Notgetinya]

Wow, we actually had real depth in midfield but we have an unbelievable injury list. That bench is the weakest I have ever seen

[Gazred]

1 minute ago, ExiledAjax said:

 

Mariappa basically organising a school trip on the bench.

Ok, no problem with that line up and bench.

COYR

[Prinny]

I like our set up better than last time out.

Except Moore if he's playing LCB, very scared about that.

Martin needs to have a good game, get up the pitch and not be pressed into the half way line.

[Northern Red]

3 minutes ago, cidercity1987 said:

Got no chance of a result tonight with such a skeleton squad. No blame on Holden for this game in my opinion

Yeah, good luck with that... 

[Loco Rojo]

On the plus side its fantastic to see our youngsters getting in the first team. 

Genuine question - when was the last time we had a bench with so many of our academy graduates on it?

[cidered abroad]

Zak Smith on bench.

Midfielder?

[The Fat Controller]

1 minute ago, Loco Rojo said:

On the plus side its fantastic to see our youngsters getting in the first team. 

Genuine question - when was the last time we had a bench with so many of our academy graduates on it?

I'm going to go with never.

[AppyDAZE]

Agree with it being an injury hit squad, but that starting line-up shouldn't be playing as poorly as we have been seeing.

COYR! I've got a good feeling about this one.

[steveybadger]

2 minutes ago, Eddie Notgetinya said:

Wow, we actually had real depth in midfield but we have an unbelievable injury list. That bench is the weakest I have ever seen

Let’s hope the same thing happens as when somebody said that about our bench v Blackburn.....

[Mr Popodopolous]

I note Huntington is a 33 year old CB.

Reckon Semenyo running at him might have been an idea but...ah well. Older centre backs get, more problematic some dynamism ie raw pace/energy can be.

[Lanterne Rouge]

1 minute ago, Loco Rojo said:

On the plus side its fantastic to see our youngsters getting in the first team. 

Genuine question - when was the last time we had a bench with so many of our academy graduates on it?

Probably never I would think. If Mariappa was starting over Zak it would be the whole bench.

[Loco Rojo]

24 minutes ago, sinenomine said:

I'm going to go with never.

I know right? I know we're in this position because of injuries but its fantastic that they could get an opportunity out of it. 

Grasp the chance when it comes lads.

[Sheltons Army]

If we can battle through the next few months (And we have no choice) not only will DH have learnt more , or should do in a few months than many would in 2/3 seasons

and

By being forced to blood youngsters , we may just find one or two ......

 

COYR

[cidercity1987]

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

I note Huntington is a 33 year old CB.

Reckon Semenyo running at him might have been an idea but...ah well.

Better off the bench, a la Huddersfield. Probably our only chance of getting a result

[ExiledAjax]

4 minutes ago, Gazred said:

Ok, no problem with that line up and bench.

COYR

Personally I'd have started Semenyo but other than that it's basically either this team or some of the ballboys and car park staff get a cap.

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, cidercity1987 said:

Better off the bench, a la Huddersfield. Probably our only chance of getting a result

Maybe- did he come off the bench at Huddersfield? Seem to recall he was sharp there.

I'd have started him and Wells, with in-game switching between 3-5-2- when O'Dowda dropped into a 3- and 3-4-2-1- when he pulled wider personally.

[WolfOfWestStreet]

7 minutes ago, cidercity1987 said:

Got no chance of a result tonight with such a skeleton squad. No blame on Holden for this game in my opinion

I dunno that first 11 is hardly a bunch of kids. Probably a thousand professional appearances at least between them. 

If holden can't get that 11 competing he has no business as a football manager. 

[Lanterne Rouge]

1 minute ago, ExiledAjax said:

Personally I'd have started Semenyo but other than that it's basically either this team or some of the ballboys and car park staff get a cap.

I wonder if Scotty brought his boots just in case..................

[Gazred]

Just now, ExiledAjax said:

Personally I'd have started Semenyo but other than that it's basically either this team or some of the ballboys and car park staff get a cap.

Tis true. At least we have something from the bench with him there.

Wonder if Massengo will play further forward tonight?

[Sheltons Army]

Sam Bell to score tonight

 

lump on

[ExiledAjax]

1 minute ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

I wonder if Scotty brought his boots just in case..................

 

Just now, Gazred said:

Tis true. At least we have something from the bench with him there.

Wonder if Massengo will play further forward tonight?

I'd love to see both of these things. 

[The Bard]

16 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Hope to be proven wrong here but Martin seems like he's running on empty- not sure I'd have started him.

Wells, might 2 vs 1 in wide areas be a concern? He's not one of those natural players when it comes to pulling left and inside again.

At least Kalas and Wells were fit in the end!

Looks not that far off a reasonably first choice starting X1 for Preston- more than can be said for us!

Martin's not running on empty he's sort of trotting on empty

[Mr Popodopolous]

Based on their lineup, I reckon- FWIW, Preston are playing 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.