08-12-2020, 10:36
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LAST TIME OUT
PRESTON NORTH END 2 WYCOMBE WANDERERS 2
STOKE CITY 1 MIDDLESBROUGH 0
LAST SEASON
PRESTON NORTH END 0 MIDDLESBROUGH 2
No surprise at the result we rarely beat Boro
FORM GUIDE
PNE 9 BORO 9
BORO TRANSFERS
Akprom, Hall, Morsy, Bettinelli, Roberts and Watmore
Manager Colin
You could say that North End are due a home win against Middlesbrough! It has been almost 50 years (1972) since our last one!
Admittedly, that has only been seven league games, plus a couple of league cup ties and an FA Cup fixture, but let’s put it this way, the last time we won, the win was only worth two points and not three!
Last season’s two clashes with Boro were both against Jonathan Woodgate-selected sides, so this is our first game against Neil Warnock’s side, who have been in fine form so far this season, challenging at the top end of the table.
Neither side have had too many changes in their ranks since that last meeting, at new year, but with injuries, managerial changes and Covid, there is plenty that has changed and it will be an interesting game where both sides will believe they can come out on top.
Team News
Manager Alex Neil is without Ben Pearson (ankle), Patrick Bauer (Achilles), Andrew Hughes, Paul Gallagher and Jos Earl (all hamstring), Billy Bodin and Louis Moult (both knee) for Wednesday’s visit of Boro, whilst Daniel Johnson is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Wycombe at the weekend.
Darnell Fisher is available again after sitting out the last three games through suspension and his involvement could allow Alan Browne to move back into midfield, with Pearson’s absence through the injury he picked up half an hour into the clash with Gareth Ainsworth’s men.
Neil Warnock could recall Duncan Watmore, whose last midweek brace against Swansea City was not enough to earn him another start at Stoke City at the weekend, with George Saville returning to a three-man Boro midfield.
Having switched to a back three against the Swans, Warnock reverted to a back four at the bet365 Stadium, Marcus Tavernier and Marvin Johnson providing the visitors width, supporting Chuba Akpom who retained his place ahead of Britt Assombalonga up front.
With the exception of Saville for Watmore, the Boro bench remained the same, with U23 stars Isaiah Jones and Sam Folarin both included in the 20-man squad.
Match Officials
It’s 18 months since we last saw him, but Wednesday night’s match official is a familiar face; it is now Premier League referee Andy Madley.
Before his promotion to the Select Group One list in the summer of 2019, Madley was a regular officiating the Lilywhites five time in his last season regularly refereeing at this level.
Those games included the 4-1 win over local rivals Blackburn Rovers in November, our 4-1 win at Queens Park Rangers and the victory over Bolton Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium in February.
He has been in charge of some of the Lilywhites’ best moments over the years, most notably the League One Play-Off Final in the 2014/15 season, where a Jermaine Beckford hat-trick led to a convincing 4-0 over Swindon Town at Wembley.
He was also the referee for our Capital One Cup victory over rivals Blackpool in the 2013/14 season. Tom Clarke netted the winner three minutes from time to secure a famous 1-0 win over our rivals.
So far this season, Andy – who is now on both the UEFA and FIFA lists, having officiated Europa League and Nations League games this campaign - has refereed 11 games in all competitions, issuing 27 yellow cards and just one red card.
He will be assisted by Edward Smart and Adrian Holmes, with another Ollie Yates as the fourth
MACS VIEW
So according to the records it's 50 years since we beat Boro at Deepdale probably did go to it although in those days you spent the entire match trying not to be murdered by the travelling Boro hordes.
Another chance to rectify our shocking home record this year apparently we have only won 4 home games in nearly 12 months, personal view cannot see us winning tomorrow either, always find with Boro they are well organised and hard to beat and now with Colin in charge they will be doubly hard to beat.
As for Warnock have plenty of time for the guy calls it how it is.
No Johnson suspended both Pearson and Bauer now long term injuries, fans getting slightly naffed off with home performances doesn't appear to be a Plan B when at home some would say no Plan A either.
We will come through this but may have to be patient.
LAST TIME OUT
PRESTON NORTH END 2 WYCOMBE WANDERERS 2
STOKE CITY 1 MIDDLESBROUGH 0
LAST SEASON
PRESTON NORTH END 0 MIDDLESBROUGH 2
No surprise at the result we rarely beat Boro
FORM GUIDE
PNE 9 BORO 9
BORO TRANSFERS
Akprom, Hall, Morsy, Bettinelli, Roberts and Watmore
Manager Colin
You could say that North End are due a home win against Middlesbrough! It has been almost 50 years (1972) since our last one!
Admittedly, that has only been seven league games, plus a couple of league cup ties and an FA Cup fixture, but let’s put it this way, the last time we won, the win was only worth two points and not three!
Last season’s two clashes with Boro were both against Jonathan Woodgate-selected sides, so this is our first game against Neil Warnock’s side, who have been in fine form so far this season, challenging at the top end of the table.
Neither side have had too many changes in their ranks since that last meeting, at new year, but with injuries, managerial changes and Covid, there is plenty that has changed and it will be an interesting game where both sides will believe they can come out on top.
Team News
Manager Alex Neil is without Ben Pearson (ankle), Patrick Bauer (Achilles), Andrew Hughes, Paul Gallagher and Jos Earl (all hamstring), Billy Bodin and Louis Moult (both knee) for Wednesday’s visit of Boro, whilst Daniel Johnson is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Wycombe at the weekend.
Darnell Fisher is available again after sitting out the last three games through suspension and his involvement could allow Alan Browne to move back into midfield, with Pearson’s absence through the injury he picked up half an hour into the clash with Gareth Ainsworth’s men.
Neil Warnock could recall Duncan Watmore, whose last midweek brace against Swansea City was not enough to earn him another start at Stoke City at the weekend, with George Saville returning to a three-man Boro midfield.
Having switched to a back three against the Swans, Warnock reverted to a back four at the bet365 Stadium, Marcus Tavernier and Marvin Johnson providing the visitors width, supporting Chuba Akpom who retained his place ahead of Britt Assombalonga up front.
With the exception of Saville for Watmore, the Boro bench remained the same, with U23 stars Isaiah Jones and Sam Folarin both included in the 20-man squad.
Match Officials
It’s 18 months since we last saw him, but Wednesday night’s match official is a familiar face; it is now Premier League referee Andy Madley.
Before his promotion to the Select Group One list in the summer of 2019, Madley was a regular officiating the Lilywhites five time in his last season regularly refereeing at this level.
Those games included the 4-1 win over local rivals Blackburn Rovers in November, our 4-1 win at Queens Park Rangers and the victory over Bolton Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium in February.
He has been in charge of some of the Lilywhites’ best moments over the years, most notably the League One Play-Off Final in the 2014/15 season, where a Jermaine Beckford hat-trick led to a convincing 4-0 over Swindon Town at Wembley.
He was also the referee for our Capital One Cup victory over rivals Blackpool in the 2013/14 season. Tom Clarke netted the winner three minutes from time to secure a famous 1-0 win over our rivals.
So far this season, Andy – who is now on both the UEFA and FIFA lists, having officiated Europa League and Nations League games this campaign - has refereed 11 games in all competitions, issuing 27 yellow cards and just one red card.
He will be assisted by Edward Smart and Adrian Holmes, with another Ollie Yates as the fourth
MACS VIEW
So according to the records it's 50 years since we beat Boro at Deepdale probably did go to it although in those days you spent the entire match trying not to be murdered by the travelling Boro hordes.
Another chance to rectify our shocking home record this year apparently we have only won 4 home games in nearly 12 months, personal view cannot see us winning tomorrow either, always find with Boro they are well organised and hard to beat and now with Colin in charge they will be doubly hard to beat.
As for Warnock have plenty of time for the guy calls it how it is.
No Johnson suspended both Pearson and Bauer now long term injuries, fans getting slightly naffed off with home performances doesn't appear to be a Plan B when at home some would say no Plan A either.
We will come through this but may have to be patient.