NUFC v Preston – Match Preview

Darren Ferguson brings a team to St James’ Park for the second time this season. The first was his last game in charge for Peterborough, the only side that his own Preston team have beaten away. Will he survive this time?

Ferguson has of course taken over from former Newcastle coach Alan Irvine. That win against Posh was followed by a 2^nd win, with only one more victory from the next 5 before today. His squad is now bolstered by some of Daddy’s second string, including former Toon target, Danny Welbeck.

Preston are a club with a long tradition, having been inaugural winners of the Football League, which bestows on them the honour to be able to wear their home kit for every game. Their midweek defeat at Derby, however, saw them wearing their away strip of red, introduced to increase merchandise revenue.

Despite their proud past, Preston have not won a major honour since the FA Cup in 1938, beating the Toon at SJP in the same competition the following season, but losing 2-0 in another cup match during their last visit 13 years ago. The last league match between these two teams also finished 2-0, with a brace from a young 6ft4in North East born striker, Mick Harford.

The 5-3 defeat at Derby earlier in the week indicated that the Lilywhites could again be vulnerable to an aerial threat, all of the goals against coming from high balls into the box, 3 deep diagonals and 2 set pieces.

Ferguson’s first job, then is to work from the back. Despite leaking 17 goals since Ferguson’s arrival, Andrew Lonergan is expected to keep his place in goal. Former Mackem, Neil Collins is earmarked to mark Carroll, and should be joined in defence by Irish international, Sean St Leger-Hall.

Other defenders should include Cyprus international, Tom Williams who scored in the League Cup against Newcastle’s youngsters earlier this season for Peterborough. Billy Jones makes up the quartet, although there will be pressure to shuffle, with Youl Mawene among the players looking for a recall.

Preston pose a threat from wide, with another former Mackem, Scottish one cap wonder, Ross Wallace the threat on the left, with Sedgewick, a midweek scorer, on the right. Shring a surname with the royal bankers, fittingly on Preston’s Gentry Day, should be Paul Coutts, with on loan from ManU loanee.

Up front, the line will be led by former Stoke battering ram, Jon Parkin, with the altogether more fleet-footed Welbeck in support. Welbeck has a good record against the Newcastle second string. Yet another former Mackem, Chris Brown, famous for his sex video before being given a verbal roasting by then manager Roy Keane, should start on the bench.

Chris Hughton has the dilemma as to whether to change an unbeaten side. Steve Harper will undoubdtedly continue in goal hoping to nudge towards a clean sheet record for a Toon keeper. Simpson should continue as will van Aanholt. Coloccini is the senior man in possession, with Williamson seemingly the most appropriate partner to nullify Parkin, Fitz Hall being on standby.

Jonas seems to be fully recovered from his recent injury and his tracking back will be welcome. Routledge has been a revelation at home since his January signing, with Guthrie impressive against Coventry.

The most likely change could be Smith to curb Preston’s attacking range, in for top scorer Nolan. Ryan Taylor is capable of providing the type of pass which Preston seem to have difficulty with.

Choices abound up front, but it will be hard to drop Carroll after 6 goals in 8 starts since his 21^st birthday. He has been more threatening with better quality from out wide and will be eager to score against a club where he appeared on loan. Lovenkrands is also hard to drop at home, with 7 goals from his last 4 starts at SJP. Leon Best will hope to play a part. Ameobi is still injured.

For the first time in charge at St James’ is referee Andy Penn, whose first red card of the season came in his last game. Incredibly 10 of his 25 matches so far this season have been cardless. His first Newcastle encounter was at Scunthorpe, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Toon, and Preston have not won under him in four games since 2005.

Penn has been linked with the occasional controversy, tending to be tolerant of robust play and encouraging flowing football, whilst generally being unfussy.

This fixture has only finished scoreless three times in its 111 year history, so we can expect goals. Preston have not scored in their last 3 visits, and have never gone 4 in a row without scoring at St James’, their best run being 8 visits without a defeat from 1957 to 1963.

Newcastle at home have been an unstoppable force in recent matches, with 9 goals in the last 2. Whilst Preston will undoubtedly tighten up, their natural instinct seems to be to attack. Odds will probably favour the home team by a 2 goal margin, the scoreline dependent on team selection.

Newcastle v Preston at SJP:

P38 W21 D7 L11 F75 A54

2^nd tier

P7 W3 D2 L2 F15 A13