19-07-2017, 22:25
Won 3-2 Cunningham got the third
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
Friendly Matches thread
20-07-2017, 15:00
Neil Ready For Step Up In Pre-Season Tests
Manager Alex Neil is looking forward to taking his pre-season preparations to the next level against Premier League opposition.
North End have come out on top in all three friendlies so far but face tough tests against Newcastle United and Burnley in the next seven days.
The PNE boss spoke to iFollow after the 3-2 win over Accrington Stanley and he looked ahead to the next two games: "It's going to be interesting to see because what we've managed to do in the last couple of games is dominate the ball and what these teams will do is try and dominate the ball and when you come up against better players and better teams it can prove to be difficult.
"Based on what I've seen so far, we've done really well, we've got two really difficult tests coming up and it will be good for us to see where the lads are.
"I think the next couple of games will tell me a lot about how brave we are, are we brave enough to do it against the big teams and to see how concentrated we can be because against these teams, any lack of concentration and they punish you."
The gaffer knows the Premier League sides will be ruthless in attack and is enjoying the prospect of a new challenge for his North End side.
"That's the big difference in levels, maybe the lesser teams will take five opportunities to get a goal, these teams need one and for all your good play, you're undone, so we've got to make sure that we are well constructed at the back as we build our play which on a couple of occasions we weren't tonight.
"What we've got to make sure that our organisation without the ball and how we hunt it together is spot on and it will be a new test for us so it's one I'm looking forward to. "
Manager Alex Neil is looking forward to taking his pre-season preparations to the next level against Premier League opposition.
North End have come out on top in all three friendlies so far but face tough tests against Newcastle United and Burnley in the next seven days.
The PNE boss spoke to iFollow after the 3-2 win over Accrington Stanley and he looked ahead to the next two games: "It's going to be interesting to see because what we've managed to do in the last couple of games is dominate the ball and what these teams will do is try and dominate the ball and when you come up against better players and better teams it can prove to be difficult.
"Based on what I've seen so far, we've done really well, we've got two really difficult tests coming up and it will be good for us to see where the lads are.
"I think the next couple of games will tell me a lot about how brave we are, are we brave enough to do it against the big teams and to see how concentrated we can be because against these teams, any lack of concentration and they punish you."
The gaffer knows the Premier League sides will be ruthless in attack and is enjoying the prospect of a new challenge for his North End side.
"That's the big difference in levels, maybe the lesser teams will take five opportunities to get a goal, these teams need one and for all your good play, you're undone, so we've got to make sure that we are well constructed at the back as we build our play which on a couple of occasions we weren't tonight.
"What we've got to make sure that our organisation without the ball and how we hunt it together is spot on and it will be a new test for us so it's one I'm looking forward to. "
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
21-07-2017, 16:58
Preston North End v Newcastle United @ Deepdale 22/7/2017
Two weeks from the start of the season, the friendlies start to have a little more meaning, three more games in the next six days starting with Championship Champions Newcastle.
United seem to be making a determined bid to actually stay in the top division, so far in the close season they have signed Manquillo, Murphy, Astu and Lejeune to add to the squad whiuch took the title last season.
Three meetins against the Magpies last season saw us draw a collective blank with zero points and a cup defeat, shipping 10 goals in the two away ties.
Neil has a few injury worries, Woods and Welsh seem still not to be fully fit whilst Harrop and Gallagher have slight injuries which have side lines them in recent weeks.
Midfield and forwards wise we seem to be well stocked but at the back there are still some concerns in my view as to whether we are strong enough.
Neil has used the same defensive pairings in the friendlies Boyle and Davies, Huntington and Spurr, also possibly a bit weak at right back, against better opposition tomorrow it will give the new manager a better idea of his starting 11 against them Owls in two weeks time.
We have a Premiership referee in John Moss as well.
Attending so expect a cobbled together match report as per usual.
Two weeks from the start of the season, the friendlies start to have a little more meaning, three more games in the next six days starting with Championship Champions Newcastle.
United seem to be making a determined bid to actually stay in the top division, so far in the close season they have signed Manquillo, Murphy, Astu and Lejeune to add to the squad whiuch took the title last season.
Three meetins against the Magpies last season saw us draw a collective blank with zero points and a cup defeat, shipping 10 goals in the two away ties.
Neil has a few injury worries, Woods and Welsh seem still not to be fully fit whilst Harrop and Gallagher have slight injuries which have side lines them in recent weeks.
Midfield and forwards wise we seem to be well stocked but at the back there are still some concerns in my view as to whether we are strong enough.
Neil has used the same defensive pairings in the friendlies Boyle and Davies, Huntington and Spurr, also possibly a bit weak at right back, against better opposition tomorrow it will give the new manager a better idea of his starting 11 against them Owls in two weeks time.
We have a Premiership referee in John Moss as well.
Attending so expect a cobbled together match report as per usual.
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
22-07-2017, 19:52
Preston North End 1 Newcastle United 1 Att 7300 (1800 visitors)
As friendlies go this was a decent game with both sides trying their best to win, good tset for North End and they gave a good account of themselves over the 90 minutes.
United took an early lead when Mitrovic scored his tradition goal at Deepdale following a shot which in my view Maxwell shoild have done better instead of just pushing the ball to the feet of the striker whoscored easily. He should have double his total following a defenders slip in the box but his shot hit the far post and rebounded to safety. If that had gone in it would have made the rest of the game a snooze fest.
North End levelled on 33 minutes following patient build up down the left hand side, Cunningham's cross ended up at the feet of the incoming Barkuizen and it was level pegging. The home side should have been ahead a couple of minutes later but Hugill at the back stick just could not force home Barkuizen's exocet cross.
United made wholesale changes at half time and North End initially found the pace of Gayle and Perez difficult to handle Gayle being denied a goal by Maxwell's brave save. A Hugill spectacular overhead nearly put the home side in front but was scrambled to safety by United's defence.
The big forward went of injured shortly afterwards with what looked like a groin problem.
North End dominated for a period with new signing Harrop starting to show his ability, one mazy run set up Doyle with a great chance, nope didn't take it, whilst a lung busting 80 yard run by Johnson also caused United a problem.
De Jong forced Maxwell into a good save, whilst United's third keeper of the afternoon Woodman denied Vermijl a winner.
Decent game plenty of plus points not least the performance of Ben Davies in the back four.
As friendlies go this was a decent game with both sides trying their best to win, good tset for North End and they gave a good account of themselves over the 90 minutes.
United took an early lead when Mitrovic scored his tradition goal at Deepdale following a shot which in my view Maxwell shoild have done better instead of just pushing the ball to the feet of the striker whoscored easily. He should have double his total following a defenders slip in the box but his shot hit the far post and rebounded to safety. If that had gone in it would have made the rest of the game a snooze fest.
North End levelled on 33 minutes following patient build up down the left hand side, Cunningham's cross ended up at the feet of the incoming Barkuizen and it was level pegging. The home side should have been ahead a couple of minutes later but Hugill at the back stick just could not force home Barkuizen's exocet cross.
United made wholesale changes at half time and North End initially found the pace of Gayle and Perez difficult to handle Gayle being denied a goal by Maxwell's brave save. A Hugill spectacular overhead nearly put the home side in front but was scrambled to safety by United's defence.
The big forward went of injured shortly afterwards with what looked like a groin problem.
North End dominated for a period with new signing Harrop starting to show his ability, one mazy run set up Doyle with a great chance, nope didn't take it, whilst a lung busting 80 yard run by Johnson also caused United a problem.
De Jong forced Maxwell into a good save, whilst United's third keeper of the afternoon Woodman denied Vermijl a winner.
Decent game plenty of plus points not least the performance of Ben Davies in the back four.
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
23-07-2017, 09:08
Neil Pleased With Team's Progress
Manager Alex Neil was delighted with the way his team performed against Newcastle United in the 1-1 draw at Deepdale.
The gaffer has brought a new style of play to the club and he was pleased with the way his side are adapting their game.
Speaking to iFollow after his first home game in charge, the PNE boss said: "I thought it was a good game, I didn't there was a lot in the game, I was really pleased with our lads to adopt a different style.
"I think at the start of the match in the first 15 minutes we looked a bit tentative and a bit scared because we were playing Newcastle but then I thought we grew in confidence as the first half wore on and I thought our best spell was leading up to half-time really.
"At the start of the second half, I thought that confidence was displayed then as well. Obviously when you make changes, the game changes a little bit but all in all, I thought our boys did great."
On the opposition this afternoon, the manager continued: "It's about being brave enough to play against good players, no disrespect to the teams we've played but we are playing against international players that have got real quality but I thought we more than held our own.
"I didn't think there was anything in the game, I thought we created some really good chances and we were unfortunate we didn't score some more."
Another positive from the afternoon was the appearance of summer signing Josh Harrop who pulled on the PNE shirt for the first time as a second half substitute and the gaffer was pleased with the performance of both him and the rest of his squad.
"He looks like a technical player, he's got good legs and I think he will certainly be a creative player for us going forward.
"We just need to do a bit of work with him defensively in terms of shuffling across the pitch with the rest of the team but I was pleased with all of the lads.
"I thought they more than held their own and they should be pleased with how they played."
Manager Alex Neil was delighted with the way his team performed against Newcastle United in the 1-1 draw at Deepdale.
The gaffer has brought a new style of play to the club and he was pleased with the way his side are adapting their game.
Speaking to iFollow after his first home game in charge, the PNE boss said: "I thought it was a good game, I didn't there was a lot in the game, I was really pleased with our lads to adopt a different style.
"I think at the start of the match in the first 15 minutes we looked a bit tentative and a bit scared because we were playing Newcastle but then I thought we grew in confidence as the first half wore on and I thought our best spell was leading up to half-time really.
"At the start of the second half, I thought that confidence was displayed then as well. Obviously when you make changes, the game changes a little bit but all in all, I thought our boys did great."
On the opposition this afternoon, the manager continued: "It's about being brave enough to play against good players, no disrespect to the teams we've played but we are playing against international players that have got real quality but I thought we more than held our own.
"I didn't think there was anything in the game, I thought we created some really good chances and we were unfortunate we didn't score some more."
Another positive from the afternoon was the appearance of summer signing Josh Harrop who pulled on the PNE shirt for the first time as a second half substitute and the gaffer was pleased with the performance of both him and the rest of his squad.
"He looks like a technical player, he's got good legs and I think he will certainly be a creative player for us going forward.
"We just need to do a bit of work with him defensively in terms of shuffling across the pitch with the rest of the team but I was pleased with all of the lads.
"I thought they more than held their own and they should be pleased with how they played."
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
24-07-2017, 15:36
Almost at an end of the pre season friendlies, have got my tickets for Accrington, Leeds and Derby away which means less than two weeks to go until Th'Owls rock up at Deepdale.
Tomorrow Tuesday Premier League Burnley arrive at Deepdale, the Clarets were in action at two grounds on Saturday and won both games beating Alfreton and Kidderminster. Gray got a hat trick in the game at Alfreton.
From what I can see they have made three signings Cork, Walters and Taylor have arrived to bolster the squad before they lose their opening game at Chelsea.
To give them credit they did well to stay up last season mainly due to the home record which wasn't bad given the standard of opposition they played.
Last time we met a deflected Barton free kick won the Clarets the game although in nets that day we had Chris I can't see Kirkwood famous for his glass back.
New signings Maguire and O'Connor linked up with the squad today don't expect them to figure tomorrow possibly may get a gig at Fleetwood on Friday.
Probably not be attending.
Tomorrow Tuesday Premier League Burnley arrive at Deepdale, the Clarets were in action at two grounds on Saturday and won both games beating Alfreton and Kidderminster. Gray got a hat trick in the game at Alfreton.
From what I can see they have made three signings Cork, Walters and Taylor have arrived to bolster the squad before they lose their opening game at Chelsea.
To give them credit they did well to stay up last season mainly due to the home record which wasn't bad given the standard of opposition they played.
Last time we met a deflected Barton free kick won the Clarets the game although in nets that day we had Chris I can't see Kirkwood famous for his glass back.
New signings Maguire and O'Connor linked up with the squad today don't expect them to figure tomorrow possibly may get a gig at Fleetwood on Friday.
Probably not be attending.
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
25-07-2017, 20:56
Welsh playing tonight his first game since last October
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
25-07-2017, 22:37
Lost 2-1 to Burnley, Maguire netted for us
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
26-07-2017, 16:14
First Team News
Alex Neil praised new boy Sean Maguire after he made himself known to the PNE fans with a terrific solo goal on his first outing in a PNE shirt.
Coming off the back of already a terrific season in the League of Ireland, Maguire, alongside fellow Irishman Kevin O'Connor made their Deepdale bow tonight as half-time subsititutes.
It took Maguire just 20 minutes to get on the scoresheet with a terrific solo run, surging into the box before calmly slotting past Burnley's Tom Heaton to reduce the deficit to 2-1 after Jonathan Walters and Kevin Long had previously netted for the Clarets.
"I thought we got better second half and the introduction to Sean Maguire at half-time with his pace stretched the game for us," said Neil to iFollow after North End played out their penultimate pre-season friendly against Burnley at Deepdale.
"It was a great individual goal, I thought his pace in behind was excellent and I thought he showed why he's had such a good season so far this year. The lads been here one day and played really well based on that.
"They started playing deeper which opened up spaces meaning we could move the ball and create some decent chances.
"All in all, we're a little bit frustrated with the first half as I think we're better than that but I think second half was a lot better.
"I thought we played against a really good organised team that work extremely hard and have got some real physical presence in their side.
"You can see the difference with the two teams especially from set plays, and we got undone with two setplays.
"There's a difference between the sides in that they've probably got about eight or nine players over six foot and we've probably got three or four so that's maybe something we need to look at."
Attention now turns to North End's final pre-season friendly against Fleetwood Town at Highbury on Friday, and Neil believes that game will prove vital in preparation to the start of the season in less than two weeks time.
Neil added: "Fleetwood is going to be a crucial game for us to help us be prepared for the following week - but I think you can see that the lads are in great shape, the fitness levels are good, it's just a case of match sharpness now."
Alex Neil praised new boy Sean Maguire after he made himself known to the PNE fans with a terrific solo goal on his first outing in a PNE shirt.
Coming off the back of already a terrific season in the League of Ireland, Maguire, alongside fellow Irishman Kevin O'Connor made their Deepdale bow tonight as half-time subsititutes.
It took Maguire just 20 minutes to get on the scoresheet with a terrific solo run, surging into the box before calmly slotting past Burnley's Tom Heaton to reduce the deficit to 2-1 after Jonathan Walters and Kevin Long had previously netted for the Clarets.
"I thought we got better second half and the introduction to Sean Maguire at half-time with his pace stretched the game for us," said Neil to iFollow after North End played out their penultimate pre-season friendly against Burnley at Deepdale.
"It was a great individual goal, I thought his pace in behind was excellent and I thought he showed why he's had such a good season so far this year. The lads been here one day and played really well based on that.
"They started playing deeper which opened up spaces meaning we could move the ball and create some decent chances.
"All in all, we're a little bit frustrated with the first half as I think we're better than that but I think second half was a lot better.
"I thought we played against a really good organised team that work extremely hard and have got some real physical presence in their side.
"You can see the difference with the two teams especially from set plays, and we got undone with two setplays.
"There's a difference between the sides in that they've probably got about eight or nine players over six foot and we've probably got three or four so that's maybe something we need to look at."
Attention now turns to North End's final pre-season friendly against Fleetwood Town at Highbury on Friday, and Neil believes that game will prove vital in preparation to the start of the season in less than two weeks time.
Neil added: "Fleetwood is going to be a crucial game for us to help us be prepared for the following week - but I think you can see that the lads are in great shape, the fitness levels are good, it's just a case of match sharpness now."
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
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