They say all games in the Championship are tough well last night's 3-0 win against a very poor Charlton side wasn't, the Addicks were simply blown away from the very start and when the third goal went in it is probably safe to say that some of them threw in the towel. The home side were booed off at half time and at full time by the loyal home faithful who had not already left.
A pretty decent journey down to South London with only one slight hold up, my first visit to the Valley sadly I missed the Who by 40 years. Grayson picked an attacking line up which made sense given the lack of a regular back four due to injuries although Huntington made the substitutes bench. North End were on the front foot the beginning, Reach picking up a misdirected pass in midfield charging towards the box before being brought down. Even from where I sat Gallagher had a massive target to pick from and his free kick did not miss one up after two minutes SIMPLES.
Minutes later Browne was also brought down on the edge of the box, Gallagher's shot hit the wall and was cleared. North End were passing the ball about the superb pitch using the wings were Reach was having a field day against the Charlton defence. Johnson had a chance to add a second but his shot was well saved by Pope. As for Charlton they offered little in attack although the hard working Watt worked his socks off for little reward.
North End needed a second to give them a bit of breathing space and it arrived nine minutes from half time when a corner was only half cleared to Gallagher who from an acute angle blitzed the ball into the net, cracking goal.
Before half time Browne had also hit the bar with a header but two up at half time and cruising, hopefully we wouldn't collapse as we did at Brentford a few weeks back.
Early Charlton pressure came to nothing before North End added a third when the dreadlocked one (Johnson) curled in a third from just outside the box, once the third went in it was basically game over. The remainder of the game was basically a training session as North End passed the ball around without any pressure, the only harsh thing to say is that we could have had more goals,Johnson and Keane twice wasted really good opportunities to win by an even bigger margin.
The home support were less than impressed however the 481 who made the trip were how shall we say,"Over the moon"
Charlton Athletic 0 Preston North End 3 Att 13586
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sZPXeyvNqg
Luzon
"I always think positive. When we have an 11 with balance, and our good players on the pitch, we'll get results.
"No (it's not my toughest period as a manager). I've been managing for 15 years, and during those 15 years I've had a lot of obstacles.
"Now's the time for the club to be together - the fans, the players, the staff - this is the only way to come back. We will do everything to do that on Saturday."
Preston manager Simon Grayson:
"Games like this boost your belief and confidence.
"I told the players to this use a springboard. There will be highs and lows throughout the division.
"We feel we have put together a squad with quality. It will be nice when the strikers start scoring as well."
A pretty decent journey down to South London with only one slight hold up, my first visit to the Valley sadly I missed the Who by 40 years. Grayson picked an attacking line up which made sense given the lack of a regular back four due to injuries although Huntington made the substitutes bench. North End were on the front foot the beginning, Reach picking up a misdirected pass in midfield charging towards the box before being brought down. Even from where I sat Gallagher had a massive target to pick from and his free kick did not miss one up after two minutes SIMPLES.
Minutes later Browne was also brought down on the edge of the box, Gallagher's shot hit the wall and was cleared. North End were passing the ball about the superb pitch using the wings were Reach was having a field day against the Charlton defence. Johnson had a chance to add a second but his shot was well saved by Pope. As for Charlton they offered little in attack although the hard working Watt worked his socks off for little reward.
North End needed a second to give them a bit of breathing space and it arrived nine minutes from half time when a corner was only half cleared to Gallagher who from an acute angle blitzed the ball into the net, cracking goal.
Before half time Browne had also hit the bar with a header but two up at half time and cruising, hopefully we wouldn't collapse as we did at Brentford a few weeks back.
Early Charlton pressure came to nothing before North End added a third when the dreadlocked one (Johnson) curled in a third from just outside the box, once the third went in it was basically game over. The remainder of the game was basically a training session as North End passed the ball around without any pressure, the only harsh thing to say is that we could have had more goals,Johnson and Keane twice wasted really good opportunities to win by an even bigger margin.
The home support were less than impressed however the 481 who made the trip were how shall we say,"Over the moon"
Charlton Athletic 0 Preston North End 3 Att 13586
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sZPXeyvNqg
Luzon
"I always think positive. When we have an 11 with balance, and our good players on the pitch, we'll get results.
"No (it's not my toughest period as a manager). I've been managing for 15 years, and during those 15 years I've had a lot of obstacles.
"Now's the time for the club to be together - the fans, the players, the staff - this is the only way to come back. We will do everything to do that on Saturday."
Preston manager Simon Grayson:
"Games like this boost your belief and confidence.
"I told the players to this use a springboard. There will be highs and lows throughout the division.
"We feel we have put together a squad with quality. It will be nice when the strikers start scoring as well."
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?