Spread the love

 

Apparently, we could get promoted tomorrow, if Rotherham draw or lose, Leyton Orient lose, and we win!!!  But, that’s a massive if.  There’s no doubt, games are running out for the chasing pack, but in no way can we become complacent, especially as our ability to score away from home seems to have deserted us, and tomorrow, we face Preston North End.  Beating them 3-0 at Deepdale means nothing.  They had an off-day and we were on fire.  They are far more likely to be relaxed about the whole affair, and it is possible that one or two of our own players could let the nerves hit them.

Statistically speaking, this is going to be an even tougher game than the Wolves game.  Preston are generally a team that creates chances and have a mean-spirited defence.  15 goals for and 6 goals against in the last 8 games.  Brentford are equally strong in defence, but with only 8 goals scored in 8 games, the Bees need the strikers to step up to the plate again.  Preston, though, have struggled a little away from home of late.  Drawing to Bristol City, losing to Swindon (but so did we), drawing to Stevenage, doesn’t exactly strike fear into even the most pessimistic of Bees fans.

In some ways, Preston are quite similar to us, in that they create hatfuls of chances, but don’t really finish them off.  What helps us is that Welsh is still suspended, and that their top goalscorer, Joe Garner, might be a little off the pace due to his wife recently giving birth (I’m hoping his baby is a real handful and doesn’t let him sleep).

However, I think the fact is that Preston are not even thinking about automatic promotion, which will count against us.  They have something called Gentry Day, a day where they dress up in Bowler hats and Pinstripe suits in memory of fans and players who have passed away in the last 12 months.  So their fans will be making a real day of it, including the fact that Sir Tom Finney will still be fresh in their minds, so there will be a relaxed feel from their fans.

Their players are fresh off a 6-1 win against Carlisle last week.  Make no mistake, it breeds confidence.  And they had some of the key match winners missing.  For me, the key will be the start of the game.  If we can get into them, tear into them and get an early goal, we will go on to win.  One or two of their players might not relish a tough physical approach (which is why I would have Alan McCormack in central midfield).  I suspect that get the first goal, and we will win 2-1.  However, if Preston have the better start and our players start to show nerves, we could end up losing this one by the same scoreline.  All depends on the first 20 minutes.

Not very interesting fact about Preston:  Their nickname is the Lilywhites.  The same as Fulham’s.  And they wear a similar looking strip to Fulham’s.

Dan “Leicester Bee” Suh – @DanSuh_KF