Westley Skating On Thin Ice

Last updated : 14 January 2013 By @pnemad

Westley was under pressure prior to the start of this game and for once he appeared to put out his best eleven in the hope that he could get a performance out of them.

Stuckmann was back in goals as Simonsen appears to be out for the considerable future. Jack King continued at right back with Buchanan on the left. Holmes and monakana played on the left wing whilst the strong midfield pairing of Welsh and Wroe was accompanied further forward by Garner and Beavon.

There were allegations that the facilities pre-match were not to Walsall's liking such as a lack of heating and hot water int eh dressing rooms. No official statement has been made by either club and I suspect it may have just been the weather if anything that made the changing rooms worst.

The snow was comign down fromt he off and made for terrible playing conditions. Preston started well as usual they looked bright and passed it well in spells withotu any penetration which has been their trouble of late.

Preston's downfall came in the first half when Garner was baltantly pulled down in the box when attempting to convert a cross. The referee waved play on as Garner protested.

Walsall countered and Preston's failing's at the back showed. King is not a right back and Preston were done down their right hand side. A cross came in and the visitors had a simple tap in to take the lead.

The nerves then got to Preston and to be honest they barely looked like a team that threatened to come back in the game against a distinctly mid-table looking Walsall.

The visitors scored their second from a free kick. The bacll was swung in and for some reason a Walsall player deflected the ball outwards. The ball came back in where a free header on goal was allowed meaning the visitor doubled their lead.

The third was almost comedy. Preston gave away the ball on the edge of their box before Walsall easily claimed their third. Bailey Wright pulled one back in stoppage time but it was too little too late.

The boos ensued at full time mostly aimed at Westley. The performance was lacklustre in so many ways. The team lack confidence on a serious level and the players look nothing like the team that destroyed Swindon earlier in the season.

A coin was allegedly thrown at Westley as he walked off which is not condoned one bit but that might be the least of Westley's problems as Preston continue sliding down the table.