Preston Preview – Part Two
Jan 6th, 2017 by 'holic
So last night I suggested we may go to Preston for Saturday evening’s FA Cup third round tie with a starting line-up not too far from what follows. Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Gabriel, Monreal; Xhaka, Ramsey; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Lucas or Reine-Adelaide; Giroud.
If they all turn up they should provide a stern test for fellow Invincibles (although a very long time ago!) Preston North End. It was suggested to Arsene Wenger in his press conference yesterday that Preston against West Ham at Wembley in 1964 was the first FA Cup Final he had seen on television. Given that it is the first one I clearly recall I would suggest the boss might well have caught a few before that one.
Preston were relegated from the top flight for the last time in the truly forgettable year of 1961. They were founder members of the Football League and earned their ‘invincibles’ tag in the inaugural season before going on to win the FA Cup and completing the first double. They retained their title in 1890, and won the FA Cup for a second time in 1938. Since then their honours have been won in the lower divisions.
They no longer boast of players like the great Tom Finney, a favourite player of ‘holicdad. The modern Proud Preston will come into this match with a full squad barring Calum Woods (knee), John Welsh (calf) and Jermaine Beckford (suspended). Everton’s on-loan winger Aiden McGeady, and journeyman midfielder Paul Gallagher, will be familiar to most Gooners.
With only three defeats in their last 17 league games Preston will not be lacking confidence ahead of the match. Manager Simon Grayson is happy with his charges recent form which has seen them climb into the top half of the Championship.
“We have been playing well recently. Arsenal is a free game for us in a way. No one outside of Preston expects us to win. I want the players to go out and express themselves, enjoy the occasion, see where that takes us. There is often a surprise in the third round of the FA Cup. Hopefully it is us causing it. We have got a 6ft 7ins centre-forward, so that might help.”
The latter point is a reference to Simon Makienok, the Danish striker on loan from Palermo, who is expected to ‘put himself about’. Given our recent performances against Andy Carroll the big lad may well be the one to watch. He has six goals to his credit this season from 20 starts and 11 appearances from the bench.
The ‘holic pound
They sound up for it. We are looking potentially vulnerable if you are of the glass half-full variety. After just a couple of pints of Guinness this evening I am relatively mellow and positive. If I have got the team almost right then Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could give them a real problem down the right, with Aaron Ramsey popping up in attacking areas looking to feed off Olivier Giroud. I’m having some of the 21/2 against a 1-3 Gunners triumph and may have a small back-up on 0-3 at the same price if we do have a relatively strong team out.
Advice to away supporters from Preston Police
To those making the trip the @PNEPolice twitter account has posted some tips, for example Gooners travelling to Preston by car will find limited parking & refreshments at The Sumners a mere 5 minutes from the stadium. Also you will find additional parking at Moor Park, Brookfield Street and local on street parking. Those travelling by rail will find refreshments @ The Vic near to the train station 30 minutes walk to the stadium. If you want to break that journey up The Adelphi is a pub 10 minutes from the train station and stadium.
So that’s it. Have a wonderful, if bitterly cold, trip and don’t get too despondent if we slip two down as we did on our last FA Cup trip to Deepdale 17 years ago. We came back to win that tie 2-4. Let’s hope this match is as exciting as that.
Have a great one, ‘holics.
93 Responses to “Preston Preview – Part Two”
Cheers H!
My big sister was born in Preston. Mum (Gooner RIP) persuaded Dad (serious egg chaser) to go and watch North End during the years they lived there, such was the pull of Preston at that time, 1955-58.
A nice positive preview Holic.
There is no reason why we can’t put them away and kick on given the games we have coming up . Hopefully next week we will have Cech, Kos, Ozil, Walcott and Sanchez back after a nice week off and we are ready for Swansea.
I think 3-1 to us sounds about right but the 6’7″ striker worries me a bit.
I think Zelalem and Maitland – Niles will feature at some stage tomorrow and it will be nice to see Danny Welbeck make a leisurely cameo rather than an 11th hour rescue mission.
COYG!
We’ve only won 1-3 at Deepdale twice, in 1936-37 and 1937-38. Only two 0-3s there as well, 1906-07 and 1959-60.
I am with Ttg. We should put them away.
Nice second half to that preview, Guvna. And very nice of the Preston Plod to give the travelling Gooners a local pub guide. I hope they don’t need to wear a flat cap and have a whippet to gain entry.
I am not as sanguine as some about our prospects as we have struggled to impose ourselves and our on-paper superiority on Championship clubs showing a bit of spirit.
I shall be delighted with any kind of win, provided we don’t sustain any more injuries or muscle strains.
amen brother ‘holic
fast food
fuck !
long slow an low’s
the new
opposite
ps
nice tits
?
moooooooooooooooooooooo
Great two previews Holic!
If we are going to take the initiative then we will win, if we are going to sit back and wait for other team to show us what they are made of we could be chasing the game again, let’s hope that doesn’t happen. Rest to most tired players is needed let the youngsters show us their desire and what it means for them to wear that most precious shirt!
A win of any kind will do just nicely!
2-4 with the 6’7″ bloke scoring the first two. Nice script.
*rolls down left trouser leg*
No change for David Sullivan. He’s always made his money from wankers. It’s just that now they are wearing claret and blue
Last I read about Zelalem TTG was that he was considering a move to Dortmund.
Nice follow up H. Let’s just hope we are on our game and don’t become a result that everyone ends up talking about?
On a Central Line train home from work as it’s mobbed with Appy Ammers. Makes you realise that perhaps it’s not all that bad.
cba 😉
I also agree bath, but am a tad more hopeful. I am an idiot, however. 🙂
Only a few Hammers, surely Steve? Most left before half-time. 🙂
A two-part preview for a game against a Championship side, ‘holic? I’m impressed! But then you never fail to impress so no real surprise. Good luck to all who make the trip, and to whichever Arsenal players are called on to uphold our dignity.
Apropos cats in Part 1, I don’t know if I have ever mentioned my daughter’s border terrier Tango, who used to stay with me when she was at work? The poor bugger had a run-in with a couple of cats while on holiday (on holiday with the daughter, obviously). Normally you’d expect most dogs to kill most cats mano a mano (cato a cato?, but Tango is an old dog now and two on one left him the loser (we assume, although neither cat has been seen since) with various clawings and a badly scratched eye. The eye is currently stitched closed to allow it to heal, and his other wounds shaved and tended and he has the usual bucket on his head. Vet is confident of a complete recovery, except possibly for Tango’s ego…
Bloody cats, who needs them!
steve T’s got a job
*jealous*
‘Apless rather than ‘Appy ‘Ammers, methinks, SteveT.
No you are not, cba.
no
i’m spartacus !
cba is a fanny magnet
front o fridge is funky
so
who’s gonna givvus a big kiss ?
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Tom Finney, now there was a player, he and Stan Matthews winged a more than useful England side in their primes. I assume he’s now retired and won’t be a worry for us in this game…
Young Zelalem has impressive, silky skills, but on the occasions I’ve seen him – including the last Under-20 WC where he played for USA – he has always looked too lightweight physically to be successful in the Prem. Unless he’s filled out appreciably since I’d much prefer to see the Jeff or Maitland-N in this one, if indeed we want to include a youngster.
I draw the line at giving you any size kiss, cba, but you’re welcome share a drink or three anytime.
Did you get Max’s card? Sent to your gmail a/c.
I overheard some funny conversations on the train. I’m guessing that they were practically giving tickets away. Picture the scene. Two unhappy Appies, one of which might have been one of our own.
“17 quid. That’s all. Great value. See, you don’t get that at the Emirates.”
“No, very true.”
“So, how much would 3 seats been at The Emirates?”
“I reckon, £35 each so just over a oner.”
“See what I mean. Great value.”
Enter Third Appy.
“Yeah, but it would normally have been that here, and it it was them we would have stayed at home and watched it on the tele.”
Very bemused Appy.
“Oh. Yeah. I guess you’re right.”
Gotta love em.
Come on then CBA. It’s a Friday night. Bring it on. Tongues an all.
?
see chris !
SEE !!!!
steve knows !
Max has been following this conversation, and says he’s up for it if you are, cba. Or even a 3some with Steve…
Me, I’d rather remove my eyes with a blunt spoon.
Really good little interview with our new superstar, but I must say that I don’t know what the world is coming to when a non-league player has at least two agents…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38536635
a blunt spoon ?
.
night night peaches
Seems a nice young chap, Cynic. Anyone know how Hednesford is pronounced? I’m guessing Hensf’rd.
A sharp spoon would be really painful, cba. And where would you find one anyway?
https://www.howtopronounce.com/hednesford/
It is like Wednesday/’Wensday’
Or as Peter Cook said about Sir Arthur Streeb-Greebling sometimes confused with Sir Arthur Greeb-Streebling, the ‘t’ is silent as in fox.
http://www.davehitt.com/july99/frogskit.html
ned ?
Hope we win this match of the invincibles and come back without any further injuries. An early score for the away side would make for tension free viewing. COYG.
Ospina, Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Gabriel, Monreal, Xhaka, Ramsey, Ox, Iwobi, Lucas, Giroud
Pleased to see Niles, Lucas and Ox getting a start. Team should be strong enough to secure the Holic pound 🙂
Subs: Martinez, Jenkinson, Holding, The Jeff, DaSiva, Willock, Welbeck
Jeorge Bird @jeorgebird 5m5 minutes ago
Interesting to see how Maitland-Niles gets on at right-back. Hasn’t really been tested defensively when he’s played there for first team.
Maitland- Niles gets the nod over Jenkinson
Perez is fi and Welbeck is on the bench
Looks like Everton, Stoke , Bournemouth and West Brom are going out
Lordy oh blimey. This could be a long 90 minutes!
We’ll go two ahead before half time. 1-5 at full time.
COME ON!
C’mon boys let’s go
Asleep at the wheel….
Our shit defence at it again. 1-0 to PNE. Learnt nothing from the Bournemouth experience.
All over the shop again kids like mistakes at the back no one taking responsibility, come on Arsenal
Has Mustafi been kidnapped by aliens? He was rubbish in midweek and looks like a headless chicken tonight.
FFS man.
Should be 2-0 down there. FFS.
WTF is going on here
How has he missed that?
We are fucking shit tonight.
Should have been three we are not looking too hot
Preston a lot more effective attacking unit. Wenger not the only one shaking his head. How can one of the top most teams in the league miss pass so often.
Almost conceded twice. Leading a real charmed life. Anyone would think Arsenal were playing in all whites.
Wake up guys.
It’s fucking painful to watch
He needs to make changes but he will wait until his usual 70ish minutes.
First cross 28 minutes in WTH
How much did Xakha cost again?
Where is the character we need to get back into this. We are playing like a team of pussycats
FUCKING SHOOT, RAMSEY
Just smack the fucking ball, Giroud.
Right, I’ve had enough of this shit… laters.
Wasn’t too bothered about being 1-0 down until i watched the replay and that Robinson c*** cupping his ears to our fans when he scored. Now I just pray we batter them 7-1.
Well that was a load horse manure!
We were terrible against Bournemouth but that was nothing compared to today. We could have been four down today at HT.
Who’d take 1-1 now? I certainly would
The passing is diabolical you wonder whether the boys are colour blind!
We look panicky at the back, perhaps it would have been better to have played Gabby at RB and Holding at CH. Even Ospina looks dodgy, fearing the worst if we don’t pull ourselves together.
COYRs
I’ll take 2-1 Arsenal ?
If Arsene has got nothing up his sleeve to motivate them in the second half he will be ripped into if we loose this, we look terrible in every area of the pitch.
Come on Arsenal time to show your mental strength!
Delia, Gabby ar right back and Holding in the middle makes a lot of sense. Nobody seems to want to pass to AMN. 🙁
BOOM
Get in, Ramsey!!!
Get innnnnnn Ramsey!
Still want to take 1-1, TTG?
At last a reaction good!!!
Come on Maddley! Two full barge ins on Ramsey from Pearson and no yellow card?
BTM! I’m a pessimist. I’d settle for a replay!
Subs please Arsene
Is Wenger playing for a replay too?
Suuuuuubbbbbsssssss please
Should have used your subs 15 min ago
Oh Giroud u beauty
Booooooooom!
Giroud does it again!!!!
La la la la, la la la la
Great back heel by Perez. Get in!
Never in doubt!
😀
Perez back heel oozes class… Play him regularly please.
Nice to see Welbeck running freely. Not jinxing it; I hope he has a long injury free run.
Huff, puff but made it finally. Hope we get a decent draw on Monday.
Phew! That was an uncomfortable evening. We could have been too far behind at half- time to come back but credit to Wenger for geeing th m up at half- time. We are very short in terms of holding midfield players at present
Well that was tense ? I don’t have any nails on me fingers left!
Well done to the lads for digging in deep I didn’t fancy a replay to be honest
We love you Arsenal we do!
A replay might have provided the opportunity for some much needed practice, TTG. I always thought we were going to win this one but there little quality to savour. In the cup, only one thing is important. Don’t get knocked out – no matter what it takes.
Onwards to the next cup-tie against another set of minnows, that crowd from Munich. Enjoy your evening.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>