Preston preview.

Last updated : 21 February 2003 By Dave Burgess

Scenario:

Wolves, after a great win on Wednesday, are back up to 6th.


Preston they are well down the table in 18th.


However, Preston seem to have turned round an alarming New Year dip in form, winning their last two games at home to Gillingham and Millwall.


Wolves, with the exception of the Brighton game, are on a reasonably consistent run – let’s hope it continues.


What about the opposition?


Well they were beaten very convincingly, 4-0, at the Molineux and injury to star man Ricardo Fuller knocked them off-course this season.


Craig Brown has come in for quite a lot of stick since taking over as manager and will be wanting to beat teams like Wolves to maintain his credibility and probably his job.


Danger men are Richard Creswell and fullback Gary Alexander who is a dead-ball specialist.


They’ve also got, potentially two good midfielders in Eddie Lewis (USA international) and highly rated
Dixon Etuhu so Incey and Cameron will need to be at their best to win their battles.


With the three teams at the bottom of the division scrapping desperately for points, Preston will be looking to get to the safety margin as quickly as possible and a home win wouldn’t go a-miss.


Preston press is also revealing that the Preston players feel it’s pay back time for the defeat they suffered at the Molineux so there might be an extra edge to the game.


Soon to follow for Wolves:


Watford at the Molineux next Tuesday – just outside the play-off positions.


Palace at home on Saturday – always a tricky tie.


Score Prediction:


Well there are no injury concerns apart from Paul Butler but looks like he’ll be fit enough to continue in central defence.


George Ndah and Kenny Miller will be looking to extend their red-hot scoring form.


As usual I expect Mark Kennedy to be pivotal in opening up the home defence. Therefore, we need him to be on the ball to relieve the pressure and supply chances.


If you are going, keep your fingers that you’re not sitting high in the stand or if you are, that the sun isn’t shining as it’s blinding mid-afternoon.


I’ll be there, one of my nearest fixtures all season, just 40 minutes from home.


As predicting a thrashing at Ipswich had the reverse affect, I’ll say Preston will slaughter us ;-)

The same result as early last season would do just fine.


Enjoy the match.

Come on the Wolves!


E-mail me with any comments/feedback to: dave@wolves-mad.co.uk