02-01-2025, 08:45
West Bromwich Albion 3 Maja 2 Styles Preston North End 1 Ledson
Attendance: 24,320 (905 PNE fans).
Referee: Mr B Madley.
HECK
Paul Heckingbottom felt his side gifted West Brom their goals in the 3-1 defeat at The Hawthorns.
North End travelled to the Midlands on the opening day of 2025 looking to build on back-to-back wins on home turf.
The Baggies, though, found themselves three goals up at half-time, leaving PNE with a mountain to climb. They came out and put in a positive second-half display which included a goal from Ryan Ledson, but the deficit was too big.
Hecky said: “The damage was done. It’s one of those games where you’ll look back and statistically, when people assess the game, there'll be nothing between the teams.
“But we gave them three goals. We were in as many dangerous positions as them in the first half, but we lacked quality or they defended better than us.
“The three goals that we gave away are really poor from our point of view. It was an uphill battle after that.
“The pleasing thing is the response was good. We're never going to lie down. We're always going to keep trying to win the game and play on the front foot, but the damage was done.”
After conceding those three first-half goals, the manager opted to make two changes at the break and that seemed to really bring North End to life.
The equaliser from Ledson was then followed by a spell of real pressure, but the Baggies weathered the storm and ensured they didn’t let the Lilywhites get back into the game.
While Hecky was pleased with the reaction he saw from his group who'd been struck by illness, the main takeaway was the disappointment from the performances in the first period.
On the second half, the manager said: “It would have been positive if it was still 0-0 and we'd won the game. I expect the mentality to be there. I expect us to keep playing.
“I've spoken to the boys who were playing who were ill today as well and fair play, you're playing, but the energy levels were there in the second half that weren't there in the first.
“There was no drop-off, it's just a mentality thing. So whilst I appreciate people standing up and performing, there's an expectation there that players do that when you're not 100%. It's a credit to them, but when players cross the white line, whether it’s training or a game, you can't have excuses.
“You can't feel sorry for anyone because if you do that, you're letting the other squad members down. There were lots of little challenges, lots of little tests today, but it's always the result that dictates how I feel.”
TO BE BRUNT
Chris Brunt spoke of his pride at helping guide Albion to three Sky Bet Championship points against Preston North End on New Year’s Day.
The Baggies recorded a 3-1 triumph in what was Brunt’s third match as part of a group leading the first-team while the hunt for a new manager continues.
Josh Maja scored twice and Callum Styles notched his first for the club before the break, with Ryan Ledson scoring a consolation for the visitors 20 minutes from time.
Wednesday’s encounter was the fourth in 12 days for Albion and although they were unable to hit the same standard of performance in the second 45, Brunt insisted the first period was very impressive and was a major factor in achieving a positive result.
Chris Brunt applauding Albion fans after the win against Preston
He said: “Using the word perfect wouldn’t probably be the right word for today.
“We were good in the first half and then in the second they put us under quite a lot of pressure, but it was great to get the three points.
“I think we probably deserved three points for that first-half performance, but there were a few hairy moments in that second 45. I’m glad we were able to get over the line and get the win.
“The lads are so well-drilled from the previous two years. They know their jobs and they know what they have to do.
“Scoring goals is about being positive in the attacking areas. That’s one thing we’ve tried to say over the last few days. We’ve told the lads to be positive when they get into the right area of the pitch and get shots and crosses off, take people on and just be positive and make things happen.
“In Mikey Johnston and Tom Fellows, we’ve probably got two of the best at doing that in the league. Jayson’s energy coming from midfield was brilliant. Josh Maja is just a clever football player and he gets himself in the right areas and took his two goals really well.
Chris Brunt congratulating players after beating Preston
“The first half was a lot more comfortable. They changed their shape in the second half and put us under a lot more pressure and played a lot more direct.
“At this time of year there are tired legs everywhere and you could see it in their team too. They coped with that first 20 minutes in the second half better than we did and just as we were about to make some changes and do a bit with the shape, they scored a goal and that threw things up in the air a bit.
“To be fair to the lads, they responded well and we’re very proud of them.
“When the team that’s losing 3-0 gets the next goal, you know you’re in for a game. That was the case today, but to be fair to the lads they defended really well. All of the lads did really well today. Nothing will ever go your way for the full 90 minutes and the lads showed another side of themselves today and at Sheffield United – showing they can grind games out.
“I’m trying to do my best as part of a group leading the team, just as I did my best a player here. I’m trying to help as much as I can, but it’s a team effort. There are lots of staff working in the background to get players ready for games. It’s a tough period and everyone has pulled together.
“I’m very proud to get this result today. It’s great to win the game.”
Attendance: 24,320 (905 PNE fans).
Referee: Mr B Madley.
HECK
Paul Heckingbottom felt his side gifted West Brom their goals in the 3-1 defeat at The Hawthorns.
North End travelled to the Midlands on the opening day of 2025 looking to build on back-to-back wins on home turf.
The Baggies, though, found themselves three goals up at half-time, leaving PNE with a mountain to climb. They came out and put in a positive second-half display which included a goal from Ryan Ledson, but the deficit was too big.
Hecky said: “The damage was done. It’s one of those games where you’ll look back and statistically, when people assess the game, there'll be nothing between the teams.
“But we gave them three goals. We were in as many dangerous positions as them in the first half, but we lacked quality or they defended better than us.
“The three goals that we gave away are really poor from our point of view. It was an uphill battle after that.
“The pleasing thing is the response was good. We're never going to lie down. We're always going to keep trying to win the game and play on the front foot, but the damage was done.”
After conceding those three first-half goals, the manager opted to make two changes at the break and that seemed to really bring North End to life.
The equaliser from Ledson was then followed by a spell of real pressure, but the Baggies weathered the storm and ensured they didn’t let the Lilywhites get back into the game.
While Hecky was pleased with the reaction he saw from his group who'd been struck by illness, the main takeaway was the disappointment from the performances in the first period.
On the second half, the manager said: “It would have been positive if it was still 0-0 and we'd won the game. I expect the mentality to be there. I expect us to keep playing.
“I've spoken to the boys who were playing who were ill today as well and fair play, you're playing, but the energy levels were there in the second half that weren't there in the first.
“There was no drop-off, it's just a mentality thing. So whilst I appreciate people standing up and performing, there's an expectation there that players do that when you're not 100%. It's a credit to them, but when players cross the white line, whether it’s training or a game, you can't have excuses.
“You can't feel sorry for anyone because if you do that, you're letting the other squad members down. There were lots of little challenges, lots of little tests today, but it's always the result that dictates how I feel.”
TO BE BRUNT
Chris Brunt spoke of his pride at helping guide Albion to three Sky Bet Championship points against Preston North End on New Year’s Day.
The Baggies recorded a 3-1 triumph in what was Brunt’s third match as part of a group leading the first-team while the hunt for a new manager continues.
Josh Maja scored twice and Callum Styles notched his first for the club before the break, with Ryan Ledson scoring a consolation for the visitors 20 minutes from time.
Wednesday’s encounter was the fourth in 12 days for Albion and although they were unable to hit the same standard of performance in the second 45, Brunt insisted the first period was very impressive and was a major factor in achieving a positive result.
Chris Brunt applauding Albion fans after the win against Preston
He said: “Using the word perfect wouldn’t probably be the right word for today.
“We were good in the first half and then in the second they put us under quite a lot of pressure, but it was great to get the three points.
“I think we probably deserved three points for that first-half performance, but there were a few hairy moments in that second 45. I’m glad we were able to get over the line and get the win.
“The lads are so well-drilled from the previous two years. They know their jobs and they know what they have to do.
“Scoring goals is about being positive in the attacking areas. That’s one thing we’ve tried to say over the last few days. We’ve told the lads to be positive when they get into the right area of the pitch and get shots and crosses off, take people on and just be positive and make things happen.
“In Mikey Johnston and Tom Fellows, we’ve probably got two of the best at doing that in the league. Jayson’s energy coming from midfield was brilliant. Josh Maja is just a clever football player and he gets himself in the right areas and took his two goals really well.
Chris Brunt congratulating players after beating Preston
“The first half was a lot more comfortable. They changed their shape in the second half and put us under a lot more pressure and played a lot more direct.
“At this time of year there are tired legs everywhere and you could see it in their team too. They coped with that first 20 minutes in the second half better than we did and just as we were about to make some changes and do a bit with the shape, they scored a goal and that threw things up in the air a bit.
“To be fair to the lads, they responded well and we’re very proud of them.
“When the team that’s losing 3-0 gets the next goal, you know you’re in for a game. That was the case today, but to be fair to the lads they defended really well. All of the lads did really well today. Nothing will ever go your way for the full 90 minutes and the lads showed another side of themselves today and at Sheffield United – showing they can grind games out.
“I’m trying to do my best as part of a group leading the team, just as I did my best a player here. I’m trying to help as much as I can, but it’s a team effort. There are lots of staff working in the background to get players ready for games. It’s a tough period and everyone has pulled together.
“I’m very proud to get this result today. It’s great to win the game.”
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?