Welcome Preston

[Ciderup]

All those seasons trying to get out of League One only to return to it straight after a promotion?

Can't see that. Surely he owes it to MK and himself to see how he does in the Championship.

Bigger budget at the Blades? He has been banging on and on and on about budgets all bloody season so it might suit him?

 

[JJH]

Happy for Preston, proper club as opposed to the others that could have come up!

I am alarmed at some of the comments made by people on this thread though. I don't see how anyone can say 'the three promoted teams will do well'. That division has looked so poor compared to last season, it's a nonsense to say they'll do well on the back of promotion from a poor league.

I don't buy this theory that Preston will do well with there current team either, bar Keeper (Rudd was better), Johnson and Beckford it's the same team that got battered by us (our side was weaker then too).

Bristol's side isn't all that special either, I mean Aaron Wilbraham the fact he scored 20 shows how shit legue one was last season. Freeman wasn't ever in the same league as Pringle and Pringle has struggled with the step up in class. They're similar players, can't see Freeman fairing any better,. The rest of their side is made of up good league one players; Ayling, Flint, Little etc... If they don't invest massively they'll struggle.

Finally Mkat, this is the year that gobshite Karl Robinson comes back down to earth with a bump, after all their loanees have gone, what are they left with? Possibly a team on bar with Blackpool's.

Enjoy the championship, it's one of the most exciting divisions in the world but Bristol, Mkat and Preston fans you will have a shock if you think you're going to be safe as you are now!!

Don't agree with that point on Freeman - when you were last in the league he was playing in a side that got relegated by some margin, surrounded by a croc of shite - so it's an unfair comparison to compare him to Pringle who was playing in one of the best sides in the division IMO.

We need to strengthen, I agree, and particularly in the Striking department, but it's unfair to single out Wilbraham - he's really found his feet here and has been absolutely fantastic. Whilst he isn't getting any younger, he may not be a regular starter next season, but put him in a side that'll give him service and he'll score goals, as he proved last season.

We signed young L1 players to develop them - and they were far to good in L1, and I'd back most of them to make the step up without much trouble next season.

The only concern for me is the system we play - we persisted with such attacking, high risk football last season, but often didn't get punished. This league is far more clinical, as we found out last time, and we'd get punished if we played that way in the Championship against the top sides. Cotterill will know this, he's been in this league before, and after last seasons heroics, I'd back him both in the transfer market, and tactically on the field.

Nothing but good words for that bloke and how he has transformed us - and understandably so.

 

[Ciderup]

Err guys the voice of reason has already spoken, he will not be leaving us.

Only winding you up SA. The whingeing scouser has to stay at MK, anywhere else is too far away from the Sky studio!

 

[Ciderup]

Don't agree with that point on Freeman - when you were last in the league he was playing in a side that got relegated by some margin, surrounded by a croc of shite - so it's an unfair comparison to compare him to Pringle who was playing in one of the best sides in the division IMO.

We need to strengthen, I agree, and particularly in the Striking department, but it's unfair to single out Wilbraham - he's really found his feet here and has been absolutely fantastic. Whilst he isn't getting any younger, he may not be a regular starter next season, but put him in a side that'll give him service and he'll score goals, as he proved last season.

We signed young L1 players to develop them - and they were far to good in L1, and I'd back most of them to make the step up without much trouble next season.

The only concern for me is the system we play - we persisted with such attacking, high risk football last season, but often didn't get punished. This league is far more clinical, as we found out last time, and we'd get punished if we played that way in the Championship against the top sides. Cotterill will know this, he's been in this league before, and after last seasons heroics, I'd back him both in the transfer market, and tactically on the field.

Nothing but good words for that bloke and how he has transformed us - and understandably so.

Great post bud.
As we have new 'friends' up here, I think a word about Cotts is needed. Pretty much the whole City fan base was, as many would have been, extremely underwhelmed when he got our job. Hoof ball merchant, ugly negative football etc etc was our thoughts about him. This could not have been more different to what we actually saw. Its been entertainment all the way with football nobody would associate with Cotts.
He's found his home with us and long may he reign. He even speaks with the same accent!

 

[markwwfc1992]

Great post bud.
As we have new 'friends' up here, I think a word about Cotts is needed. Pretty much the whole City fan base was extremely underwhelmed when he got our job. Hoof ball merchant, ugly negative football etc etc was our thoughts about him. This could not have been more different to what we actually saw. Its been entertainment all the way with football nobody would associate with Cotts.
He's found his home with us and long may he reign. He even speaks with the same accent!

When I was in school up in Lancashire we were able to interview Steve when he was Burnley's manager for my media studies work experience. Always came across as a 'what you see is what you get' sort of guy and was very down to earth... remember him calling Neil Warnock a c**t when the cameras were turned off

 

[Ciderup]

No wonder we love him if he said that about Warnock!
Calling the rovers 'rag ass' helped as well along with the L1 title obviously.

 

[Destruction]

It always seems a particularly hard jump to make from L1 to the Championship. From Championship to PL you have a considerable sum of money to play with and a lot of talented(ish) players (not all necessarily with the right attitude) and with a good manager and sensible buying, you can make it work.

But from L1, it seems tougher. The money difference isn't huge and no matter how big you are, you're going to be competing against the lowest of the low PL clubs. Even after a season or two in the Championship, it may not be much easier...I'm looking at a story about how a player is likely to go to Bournemouth rather than Wolves or Cardiff.

Personally, I think it makes it all the more remarkable how well Brentford did last season. Also makes me wonder how the Cherries would be doing if they hadn't been promoted with all that talent.

Preston fans feeling they have a rock solid defence may have a different opinion soon. We came up last year thinking exactly the same thing and were soon leaking goals fast. The defence that looked awesome in L1 suddenly looked a bit lightweight. It was a problem that was to plague us until the very last match of the season.

Agree with all this, it will be a lot tougher than expected.

I'm hoping the fact Grayson has struggled at this level before means he won't underestimate the challenge ahead.

 

[AnkleBiter]

IIRC Grayson started well with Blackpool, Leeds and ourselves in this league but struggled to stop a decline each time. Hope he does better this time, 4 promotions is a great achievement.

 

[TomPNE94]

I'm sure Leeds were 8th when he got sacked and it seemed harsh at the time? Might be wrong though

 

[SirTomFinney]

When I said 'Rock solid defense' before I was referring to someone who stated we were a 1 man team which is a ridiculous statement.

Garner scored 26 goals and won player of the year for league 1.

Beckford scored 18 goals since we signed him.

Daniel Johnson has been fantastic since we signed him.

Our back 5 have been fantastic in league 1 this season.

I am quite aware of the step up in class between league 1 and the Championship. We were there for 11 years.

But since our signings in January and the return of Garner from injury we have only been beaten once in 22 games,I'm hardly going to predict for us to be relegated am I?

The futures bright for PNE, I might be completely wrong but I would be very surprised to see us in a relegation battle next season providing we sign Johnstone Gallagher and Beckford.

 

[HertsWolf]

Agree with all this, it will be a lot tougher than expected.

I'm hoping the fact Grayson has struggled at this level before means he won't underestimate the challenge ahead.

As I've said elsewhere, I still expect to see Preston in the upper part of the Championship next season. Grayson's tenacious and experienced at this level. I enjoyed the trip up to yours a couple of seasons ago in August, so look forward to another day out in Lancashire next season.

 

[HertsWolf]

When I said 'Rock solid defense' before I was referring to someone who stated we were a 1 man team which is a ridiculous statement.

The futures bright for PNE, I might be completely wrong but I would be very surprised to see us in a relegation battle next season providing we sign Johnstone Gallagher and Beckford.

Agreed. Grayson seems to have built with balance. Pretty sure you'll be in the upper part of the table.

 

[TomPNE94]

Agreed. Grayson seems to have built with balance. Pretty sure you'll be in the upper part of the table.

Yeah but you said that about Rotherham

 

[RUFC1986]

Good away day is Preston. I can't remember the Boozers name we go in, but it's a 10 minute Walk to the ground, has SKY and does decent grub. The Season before last we went in for the Midweek game, and the PO game and had a good time. Even had Rotherham Titans on the TV.

Good ground, good atmosphere, and we've had a few good results here in the past. Remember winning at this level on Boxing Day one year.

 

[HertsWolf]

Yeah but you said that about Rotherham

Yeh I know. I was kindof hoping everyone had forgotten that. I think I might have even predicted Rotherham would finish highest of the promoted clubs, too.

 

[HertsWolf]

Good away day is Preston. I can't remember the Boozers name we go in, but it's a 10 minute Walk to the ground, has SKY and does decent grub. The Season before last we went in for the Midweek game, and the PO game and had a good time. Even had Rotherham Titans on the TV.

Good ground, good atmosphere, and we've had a few good results here in the past. Remember winning at this level on Boxing Day one year.

The one at the top of the station ramp - to the right where the shuttle buses leave for the station was pretty good two years ago. Absolutely rammed, but very friendly, tolerant staff and one doleful-looking local who sat in the corner oblivious to the singing. We reckoned he was waiting for new about the end of the Miners Strike.

 

[TomPNE94]

Good away day is Preston. I can't remember the Boozers name we go in, but it's a 10 minute Walk to the ground, has SKY and does decent grub. The Season before last we went in for the Midweek game, and the PO game and had a good time. Even had Rotherham Titans on the TV.

Good ground, good atmosphere, and we've had a few good results here in the past. Remember winning at this level on Boxing Day one year.

Sumners maybe?

 

[RUFC1986]

Sumners is the one!!!

Do you think us Millers can stop our obsession with Garner now. For 2 years it's been about when he's going to sign for us. We can kind of right that off now we're both in the same division!!

 

[TomPNE94]

I think you probably could have stopped it before it began..

 

[Magic]

Grayson would have got us promoted if Bates bought the defenders he wanted in the January of our first season back. Would have no fears about him managing in the Championship. Can't work out if Preston will do well or not, though.

 

[SF_]

Any Preston fan who doesn't think we need to do much strengthening is being sentimental, i'm confident we have quite a few players who can step up but there are some who will just end up being squad fillers as the season progresses.

As for Declan Rudd, he's a very good keeper and was great for us but Johnstone shades it for me, really hope we have a deal in place to sign him.

 

[SF_]

PNE are a 'debt free club' according to Trevor Hemming's latest interview. Interesting.

 

[Scumarmy.]

Garner won player of the year for league 1.

 

[Ciderup]

I know! How Luke Freeman didn't win it is beyond me too!

 

[Double J]

Any Preston fan who doesn't think we need to do much strengthening is being sentimental, i'm confident we have quite a few players who can step up but there are some who will just end up being squad fillers as the season progresses.
.

Totally agree. Regular starters, Huntington, Humphrey, Laird will all be squad players next season. Harsh, but you have to be ruthless in football.
Also expect to see Kilkenny as a squad player at best, and rightly or wrongly, John Welsh. Obviously Welsh is dependent upon who we sign.
I also expect to see Little and Reid both moved on. Also Ben Davies and Josh Brownhill going out on loan.

Big summer for Grayson, some of his signings have been questionable, needs to get it bang on this year. He'll be motivated enough to try and rid of this myth he can't manage in the Championship anyway, might be better for us.

Be interesting what happens with Beckford and Gallagher as well. Rumour has it Hemmings won't be handing out nice contracts to players of a good age.
Both deserve one year deals in my eyes. I think Gallagher would struggle more with the Championship than Beckford, but his set pieces alone could earn us vital points.

 

[AmbiguousBon]

Congratulations Preston on a thoroughly deserved promotion, and good to see Paul Huntington doing so well for you guys.

However, as I'm sure all PNE fans are aware, the basis for this success is down to great management...from Graham Westley.

 

[Ciderhead]

Wow what an absolute prize bellend that man is

 

[SF_]

Yeah, that was doing the rounds the other week, he's an absolutely gash manager but there is some truth in what he says, he was a bit of a necessary evil and he did do some good at Deepdale.

Although i've no doubt in my mind that he would have taken us to League Two had he remained in charge, an absolutely horrible time to be a PNE fan and I think a lot of people packed it in for good during his tenure.

 

[SirTomFinney]

Agree with the above. Awful awful manager but he did have the horrible job of completely re building our squad and tbf did bring in a lot of good players for free, whilst letting the high earners go.

Rumour has it he's on Blackpool shortlist which would be hilarious but I genuinely think he would be the best man for the job for some bizarre reason.

 

[Me$$iah]

Great to be back in the Championship at long last and thanks to those for the welcome.
With reference to a few posts on here, I don't think any right minded PNE fan would say that we will 'do well' with the team we have-even our owner has stated as we are that we would be fighting at the bottom. From his interview, I would expect to see a different team entirely. We are also now debt free and it would appear the is a strong plan in place.
I believe Beckford will be a PNE player next season at least, unless offered a deal that can't be refused. Garner won't be going either-again unless a huge offer comes in. As for our loans in Gallagher and Johnstone, you just can't predict them. Can't trust Man U and its in Leicester's hands regards Gally.
Finally, to whoever passed comment on the Beckford short incident needs to do a bit more research...the family are from Stretford, MANCHESTER and are not PNE fans, the lad was not her son. A couple of scrotes that didn't pay a penny to be there and had no shame in forcing a shirt from a child, no true PNE fan there would have done that, I hope the piece of scum does the right thing.