14-01-2022, 09:48
PNE Team News
Tom Barkhuizen and Matthew Olosunde, who missed the weekend’s defeat to Cardiff City, are fit and training ahead of this game.
Midfielder Josh Harrop made his first appearance for PNE in over a year on Sunday, coming off the bench to play over 40 minutes, and he will be hoping to be part of the matchday squad again against Birmingham.
Ryan Lowe also confirmed pre-match that long-term absentee Izzy Brown is not expected to be back fit and available this season.
The Opposition
Birmingham City currently sit 18th in the Championship table, four points below PNE and eight above the relegation places.
In the dugout for Blues will be head coach Lee Bowyer, in his first full season in that role, having taken over in March 2021 and enjoying a positive end to the campaign.
His side have been hit with a few recent blows personnel wise, having lost goalkeeper Matija Sarkic through injury and Riley McGree to parent club Charlotte FC, while defender Teden Mengi has been brought in on loan from Manchester United.
Key Stats
Birmingham City are going through a difficult spell of late, having won just once in their last eight Championship games, picking up just five points in that period.
Striker Scott Hogan is Blues’ top scorer so far this campaign with six goals. The Irish forward netted a hat-trick against PNE in 2016, but hasn’t scored against the Lilywhites in his last seven meetings with North End.
Recent history suggests games between these two don’t tend to involve too many goals, with five of the last seven meetings ending in wins-to-nil.
Our Last Meeting
PNE had to settle for a point against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s back in September 2021.
Troy Deeney hit the woodwork in the game’s early stages, while North End’s best chances fell to Sean Maguire and Josh Earl in the first half.
Man In The Middle
Andy Davies will take the whistle on Saturday afternoon, refereeing a PNE match for the second time this season. His previous game was the 1-1 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion in September.
Davies has taken charge of 21 matches so far this term, showing 55 yellow cards in that time and one red.
The referee will be assisted by James Wilson and Richard Wild, while Martin Coy will be on fourth official duties.
MACS VIEW
A month since we were at home missed out on the Boxing Day game again due to our Covid issues which was a massive own goal in terms of players responsibility given there was a danger we could have gone behind closed doors at the time.
Hopefully the game will be better than the dire game at St Andrews. Last week at Cardiff showed without certain players there is not a lot to push the first team. A month in Lowe should be aware of what is needed 19 points to avoid relegation time to beat a side below us
Tom Barkhuizen and Matthew Olosunde, who missed the weekend’s defeat to Cardiff City, are fit and training ahead of this game.
Midfielder Josh Harrop made his first appearance for PNE in over a year on Sunday, coming off the bench to play over 40 minutes, and he will be hoping to be part of the matchday squad again against Birmingham.
Ryan Lowe also confirmed pre-match that long-term absentee Izzy Brown is not expected to be back fit and available this season.
The Opposition
Birmingham City currently sit 18th in the Championship table, four points below PNE and eight above the relegation places.
In the dugout for Blues will be head coach Lee Bowyer, in his first full season in that role, having taken over in March 2021 and enjoying a positive end to the campaign.
His side have been hit with a few recent blows personnel wise, having lost goalkeeper Matija Sarkic through injury and Riley McGree to parent club Charlotte FC, while defender Teden Mengi has been brought in on loan from Manchester United.
Key Stats
Birmingham City are going through a difficult spell of late, having won just once in their last eight Championship games, picking up just five points in that period.
Striker Scott Hogan is Blues’ top scorer so far this campaign with six goals. The Irish forward netted a hat-trick against PNE in 2016, but hasn’t scored against the Lilywhites in his last seven meetings with North End.
Recent history suggests games between these two don’t tend to involve too many goals, with five of the last seven meetings ending in wins-to-nil.
Our Last Meeting
PNE had to settle for a point against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s back in September 2021.
Troy Deeney hit the woodwork in the game’s early stages, while North End’s best chances fell to Sean Maguire and Josh Earl in the first half.
Man In The Middle
Andy Davies will take the whistle on Saturday afternoon, refereeing a PNE match for the second time this season. His previous game was the 1-1 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion in September.
Davies has taken charge of 21 matches so far this term, showing 55 yellow cards in that time and one red.
The referee will be assisted by James Wilson and Richard Wild, while Martin Coy will be on fourth official duties.
MACS VIEW
A month since we were at home missed out on the Boxing Day game again due to our Covid issues which was a massive own goal in terms of players responsibility given there was a danger we could have gone behind closed doors at the time.
Hopefully the game will be better than the dire game at St Andrews. Last week at Cardiff showed without certain players there is not a lot to push the first team. A month in Lowe should be aware of what is needed 19 points to avoid relegation time to beat a side below us
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?