The CableGuy
Well-Known Member
http://betting.betfair.com/football...-increase-pressure-on-westley-240113-134.html
With Preston North End boss Graham Westley seeking a first home league win since September, our man Alan Dudman thinks Saturday's opponents Coventry are good enough for a draw at Deepdale.
Preston manager Graham Westley is a man under pressure, and his Whites have not won at home since September (nine games without success). Boos accompanied the team after their most recent encounter on January 13th, a 3-1 home defeat against Walsall, a match in which they lost control of the midfield and folded rather tamely.
In truth, they have been dreadful at Deepdale this season, and their fans expect more than the long ball stuff that Westley has been serving up. Their big problem area has been right-back this season, so the addition of Leeds defender Paul Connolly is a boost, as he brings experience too.
Opta stats reveal Preston have been involved in a league high of five goalless draws this season (Coventry none) and I think it might be that sort of tight game.
This will also be the third meeting of the two teams in the last five weeks, with December's 1-1 draw at the Ricoh Arena a really scrappy affair. Coventry boss Mark Robins took a swipe at Westley's tactics by saying "we only have to see that style twice in a season." And I expect Preston to try and grind down the visitors.
The Sky Blues were successful last weekend with a 2-1 win over Oldham Athletic, and probably just shaded it despite a late scare (and a sloppy goal conceded). They're perhaps not quite the exciting team they were with David McGoldrick - who has joined Ipswich - and as able as Leon Clarke is up front, he strikes me as needing a few more chances than McGoldrick.
Robins expects long balls and direct play, Preston will sling it in the box to ask questions of Coventry's French defender William Edjenguele, who got roughed up by Oldham's giant forward Matt Smith recently. It will be a good test of their mettle.
The Coventry game plan will be nice and tight early, sit fairly deep and expect the long balls. If they can deal with that in the first-half, the home crowd will get anxious, as Preston will be very short of confidence. This won't be very pretty, much like Graham Westley's pink v-neck and blazer combination.
With Preston North End boss Graham Westley seeking a first home league win since September, our man Alan Dudman thinks Saturday's opponents Coventry are good enough for a draw at Deepdale.
Preston manager Graham Westley is a man under pressure, and his Whites have not won at home since September (nine games without success). Boos accompanied the team after their most recent encounter on January 13th, a 3-1 home defeat against Walsall, a match in which they lost control of the midfield and folded rather tamely.
In truth, they have been dreadful at Deepdale this season, and their fans expect more than the long ball stuff that Westley has been serving up. Their big problem area has been right-back this season, so the addition of Leeds defender Paul Connolly is a boost, as he brings experience too.
Opta stats reveal Preston have been involved in a league high of five goalless draws this season (Coventry none) and I think it might be that sort of tight game.
This will also be the third meeting of the two teams in the last five weeks, with December's 1-1 draw at the Ricoh Arena a really scrappy affair. Coventry boss Mark Robins took a swipe at Westley's tactics by saying "we only have to see that style twice in a season." And I expect Preston to try and grind down the visitors.
The Sky Blues were successful last weekend with a 2-1 win over Oldham Athletic, and probably just shaded it despite a late scare (and a sloppy goal conceded). They're perhaps not quite the exciting team they were with David McGoldrick - who has joined Ipswich - and as able as Leon Clarke is up front, he strikes me as needing a few more chances than McGoldrick.
Robins expects long balls and direct play, Preston will sling it in the box to ask questions of Coventry's French defender William Edjenguele, who got roughed up by Oldham's giant forward Matt Smith recently. It will be a good test of their mettle.
The Coventry game plan will be nice and tight early, sit fairly deep and expect the long balls. If they can deal with that in the first-half, the home crowd will get anxious, as Preston will be very short of confidence. This won't be very pretty, much like Graham Westley's pink v-neck and blazer combination.
ointlaugh:
