Will the Toon impress in Preston? Deepdale awaits…
Posted on November 23rd, 2009 | 12 Comments |
Preston started off the season well, but after having lost some of their early sharpness they will be looking to achieve their first home win since September. With their players returning from a fitness break in La Manga, let’s hope they don’t feel too refreshed when meeting us. 1980 is the last time the Lilywhites beat Newcastle at Deepdale although we have gone face to face there 34 times over the years with the Toon only notching up 12 wins in total.
Ex Toon coach and now North End manager, Alan Irvine, will have his latest recruit, Michael Tonge, available for selection. The 26-year old midfielder, on loan from Stoke, has not seen any action with the Potters in the Premier League this season, with just three Carling Cup appearances this season.
While at Newcastle as a youth coach, Irvine helped to develop the careers of homegrown Toon stars such as Steven Taylor, Shola Ameobi and many more. Speaking of Irvine’s roles at Newcastle and Preston earlier in the week, Chris Hughton paid tribute to the Scotsman, saying:
“He has done a tremendous job to keep Preston at the level they are at for the last few seasons.
“It will be very, very tough. I know Alan quite well and he is a very good coach and manager.
“That is why he is where he is and has done as well as he has.
“He is still very well thought of here at Newcastle and was a man with a lot of qualities.
“He will know the team and what a lot of our players can do because he has worked with them.
“He will also know what we can do from our form so far this season.”
On the Newcastle United side, one man on a mission will be Andy Carroll, who will want to prove himself, following an unsuccessful loan spell with Irvine at North End in 2007. Lets hope he manages to net a few to show them what he really can do. Chris Hughton should also have Gutierrez available for selection following his recovery from a recent thigh strain. While it would be nice to get a chance to see french winger Fabrice Pancrate who signed for us on Saturday, his appearance will be dependent on his registration being sorted and the likelihood is he will sit out this game.
With West Brom in top spot again following their game yesterday, a win against Preston will see Newcastle back on top of the table. Preston however are hardy competitors. Having spent virtually the past decade in this division they know what it’s all about and they can play some decent football.
Let’s hope as the winter months are starting to close in, the Toon continue to show us what they are made of, starting here, a cold, wet Monday night in Preston.
The match is on Sky at 7.45pm for anyone unable to make it to Deepdale.
Howay the Lads.
Bad feeling about tonight to be fair!
Overall, as long as we are in top 2 at the end, i dont care about top place. Yes, it would be nice, but there is no difference between 1st & 2nd financially.