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Sunday, 14th March 2010

No soft edge for PNE at Birmingham

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Published Date:
24 April 2009
Preston have promised not to be soft touches at St Andrew's tomorrow even if their promotion hopes are killed off before kick-off.
Alan Irvine's side would have only pride to play for in the big TV game if results go against them earlier in day.

But with Birmingham on the verge of an automatic promotion spot behind champions-elect Wolves, PNE have assured rivals Sheffield United, Reading and Cardiff they will be going all out for a win regardless.

"The other teams can rest assured we will be going out there to give a good account of ourselves," Irvine told the Evening Post.

"It is possible that by the time we kick off we may have nothing to play for. But we still have to go out and do a professional job.

"We are preparing for the game as we always do.

"Our lads have performed extremely well on television and we won't want to let ourselves down, or the supporters who will be making the trip down there. We will give it 100% – we would never play any other way."

St Andrew's is certain to be intimidating as the Blues go gunning for the win which would see them bounce straight back to the Premier League.

Even a draw would be enough if Sheffield United fail to beat Swansea at Bramall Lane in a 3pm kick-off.

But North End are only concentrating on their own situation with the results of Southampton v Burnley and Cardiff v Ipswich crucial to their chances of retaining any interest in the play-off places.

If Burnley win and Cardiff get at least a draw, then a top-six finish would be out of reach and it will be a case of back to the drawing board for next season.

But if either the Clarets or the Bluebirds get any less than that, then Preston would go into tomorrow's teatime match with everything still to play for.

Irvine has had no problem focusing his players' minds this week after Saturday's 6-0 destruction of Cardiff at Deepdale.

While the St Andrew's game will be massive for the home side, it will also be a huge milestone for PNE skipper Paul McKenna, set to break Sir Tom Finney's appearance record for the club with his 473rd game.

McKenna, 31, will lead Preston out more than 12 years after he made his first team debut as a teenager.

Full story in Friday's Lancashire Evening Post

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  • Last Updated: 27 April 2009 7:51 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Preston
 
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1

,

24/04/2009 09:39:08
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
2

revkeith,

hull 24/04/2009 09:51:58
Are confidently expect the Keane inspired Ipswich to spoil Cardiff's big day (last league game at Ninian Park) and come away with a 1 - 3 win (the 1 will be a Pen)...So if we get that last minute SSL winner its goes to May 3rd.

A 2 - 0 defeat for Cardiff & Sheff Weds and a 2 - 0 homw win for us could just sneak us in on goal diff!!!!

{Burnley losing at St Mary's and drawing at home to Bristol City puts us 5th !!!)...{Swansea may well beat Sheff U away but wont beat the mighty Tangerines !!!!

3

Man-of-Reason,

24/04/2009 10:16:23
very positive Ref, and funny too. I posed that question last week, how ironic would it be that a blackpool goal would help PNE get ahead of Swansea into the play-offs ? sweet justice.

......and as another poster said recently, there's always a twist before the end of the season. How True!
4

BaldyAl,

24/04/2009 10:39:05
We can do it! We can do it!

The "cocky" North End get 3 points at St. Andrews, Southampton, still smarting from their 10 point deduction, take it all out on Burnley, we are the one and only North End, bring on the Rangers!!!!
5

revkeith,

hull 24/04/2009 10:47:55
IF however I prove to be wrong and Saturday sees the official end of our playoff chances then VERY SOON Alan will release his 'retained players list' and so lets start a who will go / who will stay arguement (oops that means debate)....

According to my memory we currently have 4 keepers on Pro contracts....Lonners; Wayne; Neal and Murphy {who like Wayne has been injured most of the season since getting a pro contract)...the youth team keeper, Cudworth, hasn't been given a contract and the youth team reserve keeper (Ben Procter is a giant of a lad) trained with the 1st X1 last week.

In defence....Jones; Hart; SSL; Trotts; Youl; Chilly; Davidson; Collins; Quirk and ?????Smyth {anyone confirm this }....the youth team fullbacks are 1st years (and Internationals for Wales & Ireland){McLoughlin & Hart]

Midfield Sedge; Whaley; Mayor; Chappy; Nicholson; Carter; Kenna; Wallace; Appaiah; Fairhurst; Barton... NOT COUNTING Williamson. A couple of the youth team midfield are 1st years.

Attack Mells; Beast; Brown; Elliott; Hawley & Turner. The youth team strikers are 1st years.[McGreevy; Proctor & Douglas]

Last summer we gave 1 year contracts to Murphy; Appaiah & Fairhurst and picked up Turner from Burnley.

This year we have given 5 youth teamers contracts {Barton; Quirk; Mayor; Collins and another ? Smyth?)

WHICH OF THE ABOVE WILL GO & Have I forgot anyone ???

6

snake,

preston 24/04/2009 11:08:00
just got to keep are fingers crossed burnley get beat if there is a god he will sort it out.
7

snake,

preston 24/04/2009 11:09:51
as for players to go i think chris neal season loan some were whaley and elliot am sure will be sold on as for the rest no idea.
8

snake,

preston 24/04/2009 11:14:00
and how rude of me lol i forgot hawley he is gonna go am sure how is he gonna make an impact.
9

revkeith,

hull 24/04/2009 11:14:55
Finally for now I suppose I should say what my views are on the above :--

I think we need money and Lonners is the most saleable...so expect him to go and the other 3 to stay (Murphy was doing the pre match shoot in against B/Pool so must still be in with a shout). IF Lonners stays I expect Chris to be released.

Unless someone comes with silly money for Billy I expect NO changes in / out from the defenders.

Midfield will see the most changes....I expect Appaiah to be released and maybe Fairhurst too (but as he's been on loan all season he may be given another season and Barton sent out on loan). Alan has picked Whaley & Carter SO infrequently - even when down to limited choices - that I expect him to TRY to sell both of them. This I think would leave space for 3 incomers, 1 may be Williamson but we need cover for Ross out left, maybe on a season long loan.

Upfront...Hawley will be offered for sale and I guess Turner will be released unless he was given a 2 year deal when he signed on... 1 forward with pace and stregnth will come in so lets guess it will be Victor A if he's fit by the end of August.


10

Walmer White,

24/04/2009 11:44:34
To get it off my chest, I've emailed the football league crticising them on the timing of their announcment of Southampton's 10 point deduction. The bearing this could have on this weekends results is massive. Mind you, I'm not expecting a constructive reply from the men in suits who know sod all about football!!! I'm hoping that Saints come out fighting and give Burnley what for!! Hopefully the blades will hold Swansea and god willing we do the biz as party poopers at Brum. It's a big ask but keep the faith!!!!!
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