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PNE v Bristol City Deepdale 6/3/2018
#1
The first of two big matches at Deepdale this week, Bristol City being the visitors just above us in the table having had a non too shabby season, performing in the league but also having a decent run in the Cara whatever it is cup only narrowly losing to some excessive rich club from the East of Manchester, give them credit they at least did have a go unlike Chelsea yesterday but like most of the others who have come up against Pep's mob lost but with no disgrace.
Mr Johnson tells the players they are a Premiership side in waiting, mind you, you could say Barnet are a Premiership side in waiting, to be fair the diminutive Johnson he did say we were one of the best sides in the League that they have played so obviously knows what he is talking about.
Their squad hasn't changed overly much since promotion a couple of seasons back although they seem to keep taking our players, Brownhill and Wright and there were suggestions they were after Hugill mind you so was Steve Cotterill for Brum.
They seem to have found a niche for bringing in player from the French second division, meanwhile at the back Flint is stilkl the main man although if he ends up playing centre forward then it might not be going well for them.
As I said they are having a decent season but three words tend to scare the living day lights out of them and the words are Preston North End, we have a decent record against them over the last few years which with a bit of luck will continue tomorrow night. Last season we won 5-0 which worked as a catalyst for them as they put together a great run which kept them up and continued until Christmas when form has dipped a bit although they beat shotless Wednesday 4-0 on Saturday.
Fisher back for North End following his ban which I am glad about because right back has been a worry the last two games. Does Neil start with Maguire plenty of options up front for us, cannot see it being a dull game however the pitch may be a concern under frost covers for the best part of a week wasn't great against Ipswich and given the recent weather may not be the best.
Hopefully the goal celebration GIF's on social media will be strikingly absent tomorrow night


Stat Attack: Bristol City


Eleven months after their previous visit, we welcome the Bristol version of the Robins back to Deepdale.

This is the 41st time we have played hosts to today’s visitors and we are looking to maintain an excellent record in this fixture, having won 20 and drawn 15 of the previous 40 matches.

It is seven years and five games since City last won here, but it was memorable for them as they beat us 4-0 for the biggest of their five victories at Deepdale.

Goals are virtually assured, with only two goalless draws and even then they were 106 years apart.

Both teams drew a blank on our first ever meeting in 1901 and the scoreline was not repeated until 2007, whilst six games have ended up 2-2 and in 1972 we shared six goals. After both sides took a point on City’s first visit, we went on a run of ten consecutive wins, during which we only conceded five goals and it was not until the 18th attempt that the Robins were able to claim their first victory here, that coming by 1-0 in 1929.

Results have been more even this century, with three North End wins, four draws and that solitary success for City in 2011. Last season’s 5-0 win was our biggest against City and the first time we had scored more than three times against them here.
Joe Anyinsah, Matt Hill and Marcus Stewart not only played for both City and North End, but they were also born in Bristol.

Joe only made eight appearances for North End, all as a substitute, after joining us from City in 2005 before moving on to Carlisle in 2009 and ending his league career at City’s rivals Bristol Rovers.

Marcus also played for both clubs in Bristol before spending a brief, injured affected spell on loan here in 2006. A notable goalscorer throughout his career with over 250 goals to his name, he was unable to add to his tally in four appearances for North End before a hamstring injury cut short his time in Preston.

Matt Hill is of course fondly remembered for his sterling performances at left back, having started his career at Ashton Gate before making 119 appearances for North End over a three and half year period from 2005 onwards.

Connections between the clubs are currently maintained by the presence of Bailey Wright, Josh Brownhill, Callum Robinson and Greg Cunningham in our respective squads.

On This Date
Jamaican centre half Claude Davis celebrates his 39th birthday today. Brought to Deepdale by Craig Brown from Portmore United in 2003, Claude was a popular figure during his three seasons in a North End shirt. He is perhaps most fondly remembered for his celebration dance after lashing a volley past stand-in Luton keeper Kevin Nichols for the final goal in our 5-1 victory in 2006.

Another former player having a birthday today is Bjarki Gunnlaugsson, who reaches 45. The first Icelander to play for North End, Bjarki was seriously hampered by a persistent hip injury that led to his premature retirement in 2001 aged only 28. His meagre return of only seven goals from 54 appearances is not an accurate reflection of his goalscoring instincts or his contribution to the team.

Fred Else made his debut in goal on this date in 1954 in 4-0 home win over Manchester City. Aged only 19 at the time, Fred went on to establish himself as first choice goalkeeper with 238 appearances before he was allowed to leave for Blackburn in 1961 following the emergence of Alan Kelly senior.
We have played ten previous home games on 6th March over the years, winning six and drawing four. These include a 5-3 thriller versus Wolves in 1915, a 3-1 win over Chelsea in 1929 and the heavy defeat of Manchester City in which Fred Else made his debut.

Last Five Games At Deepdale
Preston North End 5 (Barkhuizen, McGeady (pen), Clarke, Robinson, 2) Bristol City 0, 4th April 2017
Preston North End 1 (Kilkenny) Bristol City 1 (Wilbraham), 15th September 2015
Preston North End 1 (Beckford) Bristol City 1 (Wilbraham), 11th April 2015
Preston North End 1 (King) Bristol City 0, 30th November 2013
Preston North End 0 Bristol City 4 (Keogh, Clarkson, 2, Pitman), 5th February 2011

Ref Watch: Bristol City

Geoff's a bit hit and miss when taking games although he is consistent in upsetting managers.

Taking charge of his fourth Lilywhites game of the season, Geoff Eltringham will be the referee for our Tuesday night clash with Lee Johnson’s Bristol City at Deepdale.

Having officiated our early season game at Derby County, Geoff also took charge of the Boxing Day trip to Barnsley and our January win at Nottingham Forest, so all three of his games this season so far have been away from Deepdale, until Tuesday.

He also refereed one North End game last season, the home clash with our Barnsley, having also done one the previous season, the 1-0 home win over Reading.

The year prior to that he took charge of three PNE games, including the 2-0 home win over Peterborough United in March. The previous season he also took charge of North End twice, both of those at Deepdale - the 1-1 draw with Tranmere Rovers back in November 2013 and then the goalless draw with Sheffield United in March.

The County Durham official is an experienced referee who had taken charge of North End a number of times in the past including the very first game after the departure of Graham Westley, when John Dreyer took the team against an in-form Bournemouth side and ran out 2-0 winners.
He also looked after a thriller back in 2010, when North End overcame Crystal Palace 4-3 at Deepdale.

This will be the match official’s third Robins game of the season, having refereed their 1-1 home game with Aston Villa and their 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Stoke City at Ashton Gate. In his 26 games so far, he has issued 93 cautions and one red card.

For the game, the referee will be assisted by Billy Smallwood and Philip Dermott, whilst David Webb will act as the fourth official.
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
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#2
Preston North End 2 Browne Maguire Bristol City 1 Diedhiou

PNE: Rudd, Fisher, Huntington, Davies, Cunningham, Pearson, Gallagher (Johnson 59), Bodin (Maguire 63), Browne, Barkhuizen, Robinson (Woods 90). Subs (not used): Spurr, Harrop, Moult, Maxwell.
City: Fielding, Wright, Flint, Magnusson (Kent 64), Bryan, Brownhill, Pack, Smith, Paterson, Diedhiou, Reid. Subs (not used): Pisano, Walsh, Eliasson, O'Neil, Diony, Steele.
Referee: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham)
Attendance: 11,264 (405 away)

This was a tough game extremely competitive and also entertaining as well, North End took the pointsb due to the fact we defended better. City may well feel a bit peeved about losing but failed to take their chances whilst we did.
A decent night in front of a smallish but noisy crowd City started the brighter but only created one chance a Magnusson shot from outside the box which was well saved by Rudd. Just slightly against the run of play North End took the lead, lack of communication between Fielding and Magnusson led to the defender clearing the ball although only to Browne 30 yards out, one touch then he cipped the ball back towards the unguarded goal and we were one up.
The goal boosted North End and we piled on the pressure looking for the second didn't come and City got themselves back into the game dominated possession but did not look threatening.
Series of early City corners in the second half put us under pressure but we came through it, Fielding saved City witha great save from a header think it was Davies only complaint he should have headed the ball the other way would have scored.
City gradually took control and it wasn't a big surprise when they equalised, cross from the left clever header by Diedhiou, 1 all although only for a couple of minutes, a City attack broke down, Johnson ball to Maguire, 30 yards out two defenders to beat plus keeper, no problem, weaved and turned covering defenders before firing left footed past Fielding. 2-1
City went for broke forcing us back Paterson's mazy run following a poor Browne pass hit the side netting whilst Reid had an even better chance 8 yards out brilliantly blocked by Rudd.
Barkhuizen could have sealed it with a couple of minutes to go but couldn't keep his effort down following a inch perfect cross by Robinson, the ball went over the bar.
Into injury time and Flint managed to get first use of the shower, missed the incident but saw it later, he may or may not have connected with Cunningham, however if your daft enough to swing your arm at someone especially when the ball is not in play you deserve what you get. A bit of argy bargy afterwards with Rudd and Diedhiou auditioning for next years Come Dancing, the kettle was still boiing at full time and more wrestling took place, didn't matter three points to us.
It would be amiss of me not to comment about Mr Eltringham, who by all reports had a shocker at Deadwood Park on Sunday, up to half time he had been decent then obviously decided to book every thing that moved in the second half. Nine bookings and a sending off and to my view there was only one bad challenge in the game Brownhill on Barkhuizen which deserved a booking.
Top competitive game juts gets us ready for Fulham on Saturday.

Preston North End manager Alex Neil:

"We bring Sean on and he does what he does. Sean Maguire being back in the side is a boost as he is a natural goal scorer.

"We looked at starting him but it's a bit too soon and we don't want to bring him in too soon and him break down as he is a key player for us.

"I think we've managed Sean very well. I had the choice over whether to play him for an hour and not have him at the weekend or give him half an hour and have him for the weekend.

"He gives us that shot in the arm."

Bristol City assistant manager Dean Holden on Flint's dismissal:

"Flinty has gone to ground under a challenge he may or may not have had.

"The aftermath is he's got a Preston player come up to him, who I think put his hand through Flinty's hair - it looked like provocation.

"He's reacted and swung his arm at him. Their keeper (Rudd), the panto villain, has made everyone aware of it and it became a bit of a mess there.

"The FA will have to look at it. It's easy to say: 'keep your cool' but this is a big game and emotions are riding high."
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
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#3
Another good result!! You are right in the mix now, personally I fancy Boro to get a top 6 spot but with the way Derby are playing it might be them that drop out leaving another place up for grabs.
themaclad likes this post
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#4
Still to play Direby, Blunts plus Fulham however it those at the bottom we struggle with
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
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