Match Thread Coventry City - Preston North End FC Match Thread - Saturday 22nd Feb (126 Viewers)

[shmmeee]

Only problem is, Preston are usually very physical and Allen can struggle in games like these, where he can be simply outmuscled.

Which of the strong men Eccles and Torp would you have in instead?

 

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[Otis]

Which of the strong men Eccles and Torp would you have in instead?

Eccles is more physical for sure.

Seen it happen with Allen before. I like him, but he has been known to struggle against, big physical sides in the past.

 

[shmmeee]

Eccles is more physical for sure.

Seen it happen with Allen before. I like him, but he has been known to struggle against, big physical sides in the past.

No I agree. My biggest issue with Allen is at times he looks like a kid playing against adults and just gets bullied out of the game. But Eccles spends all game hiding and Torp is hardly a midfield destroyer. It’s a role I’d be looking for assuming Sheaf and Allen leave in the summer. Midfield as a whole is too weak IMO.

 

[MusicDating]

No I agree. My biggest issue with Allen is at times he looks like a kid playing against adults and just gets bullied out of the game. But Eccles spends all game hiding and Torp is hardly a midfield destroyer. It’s a role I’d be looking for assuming Sheaf and Allen leave in the summer. Midfield as a whole is too weak IMO.

Allen has come in and done a very disciplined job in the middle. I don't recall him getting forward at all. Contrast to my perception of Eccles, who has been really disappointing when he's played. He seems to have just roamed all over the shop leaving the same midfield gaps we saw under Robins.

I'd be interested to see one of them player position maps for Allen v Eccles to see if I'm just spouting rubbish!

 

[fernandopartridge]

They seem to be out of their early season shite and back into proper grindy Preston mode. Don't think its going to be pretty.

Heckinbottom is a good manager tbf, did a much better job with Sheff Utd than given credit for imo.

 

[TomRad85]

Heckinbottom is a good manager tbf, did a much better job with Sheff Utd than given credit for imo.

He did tbf, I'd agree.

 

[long way home]

Has to be Bidwell, EMC and Allen to start. Be over the moon with a win but id take a draw purely on our record against these. If we do get the 3 pts then FL will have these players believing in miracle's.

 

[shmmeee]

Allen has come in and done a very disciplined job in the middle. I don't recall him getting forward at all. Contrast to my perception of Eccles, who has been really disappointing when he's played. He seems to have just roamed all over the shop leaving the same midfield gaps we saw under Robins.

I'd be interested to see one of them player position maps for Allen v Eccles to see if I'm just spouting rubbish!

Eccles was annoying me no end against Wednesday. Just doesn’t impact games at all. He really looked like he’d kicked on earlier in the season but had gone backwards under Lampard for some reason.

 

[robbiethemole]

Eccles was annoying me no end against Wednesday. Just doesn’t impact games at all. He really looked like he’d kicked on earlier in the season but had gone backwards under Lampard for some reason.

Maybe a new contract and can't be arsed comes into it?? Move him on to Stoke in the summer

 

[robbiethemole]

Seen Frank saying Paterson 'oozes passion' for the Club, as a fan as a youngster and also now as a player, who can't wait for his debut!
Perhaps him in against Preston is a good option instead of 'he's one of our own', not interested Eccles? Might have more physicality about him than Eccles or Torp

 

[fernandopartridge]

Seen Frank saying Paterson 'oozes passion' for the Club, as a fan as a youngster and also now as a player, who can't wait for his debut!
Perhaps him in against Preston is a good option instead of 'he's one of our own', not interested Eccles? Might have more physicality about him than Eccles or Torp

I'd be surprised if he is ready to start a game having not played at this level for 9 months.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Seen Frank saying Paterson 'oozes passion' for the Club, as a fan as a youngster and also now as a player, who can't wait for his debut!
Perhaps him in against Preston is a good option instead of 'he's one of our own', not interested Eccles? Might have more physicality about him than Eccles or Torp

Oozes so much passion that he ignored us for years in this league until he needed some cash

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I'd be surprised if he is ready to start a game having not played at this level for 9 months.

His role is going to be bit part. Assuming we play with wingers in the coming weeks, you’re going to want to switch personnel you’d have EMC, Wright, Sakamoto and Peterson for 4 places and bearing in mind two of those are coming back from injuries, we need to change wingers after 60-70 minutes.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Oozes so much passion that he ignored us for years in this league until he needed some cash

It’s a bit harsh.

Iirc, the last time we could’ve signed him was the 22/23 season… we were a mess that year and had to sell a top player just to relay the pitch.

At the end of the day, professionals have to consider their career first before the sentiments of who they support.

 

[fernandopartridge]

It’s a bit harsh.

Iirc, the last time we could’ve signed him was the 22/23 season… we were a mess that year and had to sell a top player just to relay the pitch.

At the end of the day, professionals have to consider their career first before the sentiments of who they support.

We don't know if he'd even had a formal offer to come here

 

[Otis]

Eccles was annoying me no end against Wednesday. Just doesn’t impact games at all. He really looked like he’d kicked on earlier in the season but had gone backwards under Lampard for some reason.

Well, reading between the lines, it is logical. Apparently it has been said that FL wanted Eccles to improve some areas of his game. That and then being relegated to the subs bench, has probably left him a bit lacking in confidence. He just doesn't seem like the same player he was when he was in the good run of form.

I still really rate him.

It could also be that he is struggling to adapt to whichever way FL now wants him to play.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

It’s a bit harsh.

Iirc, the last time we could’ve signed him was the 22/23 season… we were a mess that year and had to sell a top player just to relay the pitch.

At the end of the day, professionals have to consider their career first before the sentiments of who they support.

I fully agree it sounds harsh, but it’s also close to the truth.

 

[David O'Day]

As they are a back 3 side the issues we have had a few times with issues down our flanks should be less so

Dovin
Thomas-Binks-Kitching
MVE-Grimes-Allen-Bidwell
Rudi
Simms-BTA

 

[Warwickhunt]

Early murmurings are Allen or Torp in for Eccles, Bidwell and EMC from the start

Murmurings sound my kind of music

 

[SleepyGinger]

They are in decent form this won’t be an easy game

 

[Domo]

whens the last time we beat preston?

 

[shmmeee]

whens the last time we beat preston?

2012/13 - Jan 2013

https://www.11v11.com/teams/coventry-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Preston%20North%20End/

 

[TomRad85]

2012/13 - Jan 2013

https://www.11v11.com/teams/coventry-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Preston%20North%20End/

18 years since a league win is actually incredible. Especially as we've actually played them a lot and they tend to be a fairly middling team at this level.

 

[Domo]

18 years since a league win is actually incredible. Especially as we've actually played them a lot and they tend to be a fairly middling team at this level.

 

[shmmeee]

18 years since a league win is actually incredible. Especially as we've actually played them a lot and they tend to be a fairly middling team at this level.

 

[TomRad85]

 

[Covcraig@bury]

4-1 city win get your house on it , one of our defenders to score an OG

 

[ccfc1234]

I think back to the 4-2-3-1 (3-2-5). Let’s try and dominate the space and control the game through their low block. Will need some creative balls from midfield so hope Torp is fit alongside Grimes.

View attachment 41538

No concerns with 4 at the back (until we start leaking goals again) but feel we lack something with 1 up front and while this looks fine on paper, I personally would keep Torp on the bench and play with 2 forwards.

 

[shmmeee]

No concerns with 4 at the back (until we start leaking goals again) but feel we lack something with 1 up front and while this looks fine on paper, I personally would keep Torp on the bench and play with 2 forwards.

EMC is basically your second forward in that lineup, similar to how Haji is when he plays in it.

 

[Robinshio]

we are at the stage where the next 4 are all winnable
9 points from the next 4 should see us comfortably in the play offs
we then have a very hard 3 and would need 3 more points from them to stay in or around
The last 6 run in after that is not too bad and we would need maybe 12 points from those 6 ideally with wins against Baggies and Middlesboro

 

[Mcbean]

no fucking around at the back - players to move into space over the press

 

[Johhny Blue]

Before this thread gets too far I’d like to make something clear.
No “I’d take a draw” posts. (You know who you are)
You bastards almost got what you wanted the last two games.

 

[alexccfc99]

If we beat these I will truly be on board the promotion bus and I will also buy a few lotto tickets for Saturday evening

 

[skyblue_55]

With Frank & a whole week on the training ground, we will be better prepared than Swansea game .
Paterson hopefully to come on about the hour mark & another great 3 points .
I just hope we get a big crowd , to see us into the top six by Saturday night !
CTID

 

[alexccfc99]

With Frank & a whole week on the training ground, we will be better prepared than Swansea game .
Paterson hopefully to come on about the hour mark & another great 3 points .
I just hope we get a big crowd , to see us into the top six by Saturday night !
CTID

PNE playing tomorrow night as well