Preston v Sheffield united Match Preview- 16th April 2011

This weekend Preston take on fellow strugglers Sheffield United at Deepdale with a healthy crowd expected. The only option being maximum points. Both sides have played 41 games with 5 games remaining, Preston sitting just one point clear of Sheffield United. Phil Brown has labelled this a do or die affair.

Last time out

Josh king runs at the blades defence.
Image from google images.

Last time the two sides met it was Gary Speeds first win as Sheffield United boss, a goal from Jean Calve gave United a narrow victory over Preston at Bramall Lane.

Right-back Calve, joined united on loan from French side Nancy, and made his Blades debut with a spectacular strike from 35 yards out.

Jon 'the Beast' Parkin later thought he had rewarded some Preston pressure with a very late penalty but a foul on him by Asenal loanee Kyle Bartley was to be just outside the penalty area.

The defeat left North End with three defeats out of four at the start of the campaign.

Preston, arguably a much stronger outfit this time round under the new regime of  Phil Brown. Both sides have changed managers in recent times and a defeat for either side would more than likely spell the end of Championship football.

Wrestling Sensation PNE fan

Wade Barrett talks tactics.
Image from Google images.

Wade Barrett standing 6’6 tall wearing nothing more than some skimpy shorts, and used to performing in front of wrestling enthusiasts every week, it’s very touching to see a man who is a world wide icon taken a back by the sight of a empty football stadium. Superstar Wade Barrett, a lifelong Preston North End fanatic, who grew up in the Penwortham area of Preston this represents a moment he may never forget, the muscle bound monster has only ever dreamed about meeting the Preston team. Barrett's dream eventually became reality. WWE superstar Barrett was over joyed at meeting the players and staff recently were he delivered a motivational speech to the lads for the rest of the season.
Hopefully Barrett's tough talking will spur the lads on for the rest of the campaign.

Wade Barrett the humble down to earth wrestler also met his idol growing up, Former Preston captain Sean Gregan.

see below

Wade Barrett and Sean Gregan.
Image from Google images.

Bio; A bit about Wade Barrett

Stuart Alexander “Stu” Bennett (born August 10, 1980) is an English professional wrestler, currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment under the name Wade Barrett. After honing his skills in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, Wade Barrett went on to win Season One of WWE NXT in May 2010. Barrett rose to power, notoriety, and dominance as the founding leader of the Nexus for the latter half of 2010 and in early 2011 moved from Raw to SmackDown to form a new alliance, the Corre.

Passions:
Wrestling
Preston North End

Heros
Sean Gregan (pnefc)

Biography courtesy of http://www.wade-barrett.com/

Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Preston North End 12/4/2011

Stock 77 min, Hayes 80 min.


Preston called upon forgotten man Paul Hayes to rescue a point last night away at fellow strugglers Doncaster, hopes of a great escape for North End are fading with just five games remaining.

Doncaster took the leed through former northender Brian Stock with a strike from the edge of the box.

Hayes then headed in the equaliser after Tottenham Hotspur loanee Bongani Khumalo's shot had hit the bar.

North End remain second bottom, seven points off safety, while Rovers stay two places above the drop zone.

The result doesnt really help Preston, it was an end to end match, far from a relegation battle, flowing football produced that you would expect at the top end of the division, not the bottom.


Doncaster started well Stock's first-time pass found full back George Friend inside the area. Friend let rip with a spectacular effort that had Preston goalkeeper Iain Turner scrambling across goal to tip over.

Preston worked and worked to stop the threat of the pacey doncaster outfit whilst playing a sharp counter attacking game causing real problems for the rovers defence.

Preston star man Iain Hume linked up well with irish man Keith Treacy on the 35th minute, were North End should have took a well deserved lead. Treacy's volley from Hume's left-wing cross was cleared by Woods falling straight into the path of  the tricky striker Eddie Johnson for him only to fire into the side netting. Preston were starting to look the more likely.

Doncaster came within inches of opening the scoring when a James O'Connor's cross skimmed off Barry Nicholson's head, forcing ian Turner into a wonderful reaction save.

Preston then had a stone wall penalty claim turned down by referee Scott Mathieson,O'Connor's clumsy slide tackle on American forward Eddie Johnson left Preston's players furious, non more so than manager Phil Brown.

Moments later Simon Gillett's measured pass caught out Preston's back line, leaving former preston man Stock free to drive a shot into the top left hand corner. Preston fans feared the worst.

Preston had to change things. Phil Brown called upon former Scunthorpe striker and  forgotten man Paul Hayes who with his first touch headed a quick-fire equaliser.

Bongani Khumalo's shot rattled the woodwork it was Hayes who was on hand to bravely head home the rebound from an almost impossible angle.

Preston will feel it was a missed chance to close the gap. As time is running out to save their championship status.