Swans v Preston North End.

[Jackflash]

P.N.E., a club i tend to follow for personal reasons, we beat then to win the English Schoolboys Shield back in the mid 50's, but results between our clubs have been pretty much nip & tuck over the years,the most surprising of all was in the early 60's, we were away to them at Deepdale, went up for the game with a few friends by car. Disaster, think we were 4-1 down at H/T. game ended up 6-3. Dreading the return fixture at the Vetch, down came their cocky supporters, who went home with their tails between their legs. We beat the 5-1. A 15 goal encounter that season.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Heading into Saturday, Cooper has a mammoth set of decisions to make and a bucket of riches to choose from.

I think he can quickly cull the bland and weak performers to date from his decision tree: Celina, Peterson, AK, Surridge, Asoro. And then ponder whether he has the balls to be dynamic and promote Ayew and Garrick to the top of his list. They would both be top of mine ... granted Northampton isn’t Preston, but they both sparkled like diamonds amongst lumps of coal.

Midfield would be Grimes, Fulton, Byers, unless he decides to play Routs in a #10 role.

John v Bidwell v Naughton .... tough one.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Brings the right attitude: Andre Ayew | It's important I work hard for Swansea City | Swansea

 

[Jackflash]

Just hope any sub's he makes are game changers, last weeks game was pretty much the reverse. I would expect Garrick to start but I'm not sure if he's got 90 mins. of that pace. John for me is showing lots of improvement in his game,and worth a start.Both Ayew and Routs could well be the experience needed up front for an early goal. And Freddy between the sticks for us.

 

[CroJack]

What can we expect from Preston?

1. A shot-shy team. Only had 5 shots and 1 shot on target in their away game against Millwall.
2. A tackle-shy team. Only 5 tackles against Millwall, but they commit a plenty of fouls (18 against Millwall).
3. Their defenders don't read the game well. Only 3 interceptions against Millwall.
4. They will try to pass the ball, they had 59,1 % possession against Millwall, but their passing accuracy is not good, 76,3 %.
5. They are good at winning aerial duels, 26 against Millwall.
6. They are good at scoring from crosses and set pieces so we have to be good at blocking their crosses and we must not give many
set pieces away. Here are their goals from the home game against Wigan:

7. They'll probably play 4-1-4-1 formation, which is Bielsa's preferred formation, so this game will be a good test for our upcoming game against Leeds.

8. They'll play plenty of long balls, 95 against Millwall is the record high number in an away Championship game this season.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Press conference coming up

 

[Yankee_Jack]

News: Everybody is available except for Carroll. He will be playing for the U-23.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

On reflection: if Ayew and Borja are moved out, with CBR gone, we are left with Surridge. That would be terrible predicament. IMO, CBR showed more in his time on the field last season than Surridge did against N'ton, where tbh he should have shown stronger than he did.

 

[Victoria Swan]

And then ponder whether he has the balls to be dynamic and promote Ayew and Garrick to the top of his list. They would both be top of mine

Agree about Ayew but after Cooper's presser I'm not sure we want Garrick as a starter. He has apparently been injured and is just getting back up to speed. More like a game-changer to bring on as a sub for the last twenty minutes if needed.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Wasn't aware until the presser that he had been injured and otherwise part of the senior squad program. What a dynamic player to bring on for the last 20 minutes though.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

I’m vey excited about this match ... not the least of which is seeing the team that Cooper selects.

 

[CroJack]

Is it correct that we haven't lost to Preston at home turf since 1961?

 

[CroJack]

"It was great to see the reception Andre Ayew received on Tuesday evening and although I’m not sure what the next couple of weeks hold for him I’m sure we would all be happy if he were still here scoring more goals for us this season.”

Trevor Birch

 

[CroJack]

Swansea City are unbeaten in their last 17 home league matches against Preston North End (W12 D5 L0), winning each of the last five in a row.

 

[IanABS94]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1162710669470437382

Nice to see Celina rightfully as a number 10. Ayew on the bench. Good to see Cooper using the players if they are being paid to be here.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Strong lineup. strong bench. Weaker links from last season dropping away. No Routs or Garrick. Shame for Garrick.

 

[Jackflash]

Is it correct that we haven't lost to Preston at home turf since 1961?

Probably right CJ, and getting close to vice-versa on away games, as I said in my OP probably 63/64 lost to them at Deepdale 6-3 but slaughtered them at the Vetch 5-1 in the return. 15 goals.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Andy Robinson is the guest “expert” on Swans Tv today. It seems strange to seem him involved again after the utter aggravation and self-centered disrespect he paid us before his move to Leeds United ..... where true to misery and mystery he did bugger all.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

AK doesn’t have a defender’s bone in his body. Bidwell is exposed in the left side

 

[Yankee_Jack]

FFS. We spend the best part of the first 10 in our own half. No big effort to take command of the ball. And, Woody gets beat from 25 yards at his near post.