Preston North End Vs Walsall
nPower League One Saturday 25th February 2012
Venue: Deepdale
Kick-Off: 15:00
Referee: Michael Naylor
After Saturday’s defeat to the Blades, North End will be eager bounce back and in the process record back-to-back home wins for the first time since last August.
After seeing off the challenge of Hartlepool last week, which incidentally was Graham Westley’s first win in charge, The Lilywhites welcome the visit of the Saddlers this Saturday.
Walsall currently reside in the lower reaches of the League One table with only one goal keeping their heads above water. Thus, on paper, this may look like a foregone conclusion.
However, having already endured defeat to the Saddlers once already this season, North End will have to have their wits about them come Saturday afternoon.
This, coupled with the fact that the West Midlands outfit have recorded back-to-back wins in their last two outings having displaced Scunthorpe and Wycombe away and at home respectively, will ensure of a tough game for Westley’s side.
Form
Preston North End: WLDLWL
Walsall: DDLLWW
Previous Meetings (Click here for head-to-head)
North End fans won’t want reminding of the visit to the Bescott in October.
A dismal display, 1-0 defeat and the loss of Neil Mellor through injury was enough to send the travelling faithful back up the M6 with the blues.
Before that you’d have to cast your minds back to the 2003/2004 season for the last meetings between the Lilywhites and the Saddlers.
North End suffered defeat the Bescott that season too thanks to goals from Neil Emblen and Vinny Samways, Ricardo Fuller halved the deficit just after the hour mark in a 2-1 reverse.
The score was the same at Deepdale too this time Matty Fryatt and Mark Wright on the score sheet for Walsall whilst Graham Alexander netted a penalty for North End.
The last time North End ere triumphant over Walsall was the season previous. An emphatic 5-0 win at Deepdale on 18th March 2003 as a result of goals from Alexander, Etuhu, Cresswell and a brace from George Koumantarakis.
Team News
Westley will face a much-welcomed selection headache ahead of Saturday’s game with three first teamers returning to the fold.
Midfield maestro Paul Coutts is back in contention after sitting out the last month, Danny Mayor will be looking for a repeat of his match-winning goal versus Hartlepool having missed out on the trip to Bramall Lane whilst star man Iain Hume is set to return to the 16.
Played For Both (Click here)