[themaclad]

Preston North End v Southampton

Deepdale 25/10/2023 19.45 hrs

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en

https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/3-sout...ball-club/

https://www.not606.com/threads/preston-v...t-17074108

MANAGER

Russell Kenneth Alexander Martin (born 4 January 1986) is a professional football manager and former player who is the manager of EFL Championship club Southampton.

A former defender, Martin began his playing career at Brighton & Hove Albion's youth academy. He established himself at Wycombe Wanderers in 2004, before moving to Peterborough United in 2008. Martin joined Norwich City in 2010 and made 309 appearances for the club. He then had brief spells with Rangers, Walsall and Milton Keynes Dons. During his playing career, Martin won five promotions (including two Premier League promotions) and was named in the 2014–15 Championship Team of the Year by the Professional Footballers' Association.[3]

Although born in Brighton, England, Martin played in 29 internationals for Scotland. He moved into management in 2019 with Milton Keynes Dons and became head coach of Swansea City in 2021. Two years later, he was appointed manager of Southampton.

Last time the two managers crossed paths Lowe ended up with a four game ban after trying to rearrange Martin's features at Swansea last April

LAST TIME OUT





FORM GUIDE

PNE 3 SAINTS 14
Saints won last two away matches

IN FORM



DEALINGS



A BIT OF PREVIOUS



Yonks since we've played these lads cannot remember the League Cup game last home league game threw away a 2 goal lead, actually good to see a side who we have rarely met over the last 20 years.

RICHARD CHAPLOW LOOKALLIKE AWARD

Will Smallbone



DANGER MAN

Adam Armstrong good at this level

Who’s Available?

Ryan Lowe will be able to call upon the same squad which took a point at home to Millwall at the weekend.

Ched Evans made his long-awaited return to action from the bench in that fixture after seven months out.

The three players away recently on international duty – Alan Browne, Liam Millar and Milutin Osmajić – weren’t risked from the start against the Lions but they'll be pushing to be in the XI on Wednesday night.

Andrew Hughes, who the manager was hoping would be back for this one, won't be available due to injury, but he might make the weekend's trip to Hull.

Opposition Focus


Following relegation from the Premier League last season, it’s been an up-and-down start to life back in the Championship for Southampton.

Under new management in former Swansea City boss Russell Martin, the Saints started the season well but then suffered four successive defeats, conceding 11 goals in those matches.

Since then, though, they seem to have turned a corner, taking ten points from their last four, and they’ll be hoping to continue that form as they look to make an instant return to the top flight.

Match Officials

Referee: Jeremy Simpson
Assistant Referee: Rob Smith and Mark Pottage
Fourth Official: David Webb

Jeremy Simpson, who refereed North End's 1-0 victory away at Sheffield Wednesday earlier this season, will take charge on Wednesday night.

In total so far this campaign, he's refereed nine matches, showing 29 yellow cards and one red.

MACS VIEW

Up against a side who have just hit form, might be a bit sparky on the touch line between the two managers, they will give you chances with our Russ's pass it out from the back routine, totally different game to Saturday, rare visitors and the EFL being the scamps they are have scheduled the rematch for midweek as well

[themaclad]

Preston North End 2 Osmajic, Potts Southampton 2 Walker- Peters, Evans OG

PNE line-up: Woodman; Potts, Storey, Lindsay, Cunningham; Whiteman, Browne; Holmes (Ledson 89), Frøkjær (Osmajić, 45), Millar; Keane (Evans, 75). Subs not used: Cornell, Bauer, Brady, Stewart, Woodburn, Best.

Southampton line-up: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Holgate, Bernarek, Bree; Smallbone (S. Armstrong, 57), Downes (Fraser, 72), Charles; A. Armstrong (Alcaraz, 82), Adams (Mara, 45), Edozie (Sulemana, 58). Subs not used: McCarthy, Aribo, Amo-Ameyaw, Meghoma.

Attendance: 15,346 (1,581 Southampton fans).

Referee: Mr J Simpson.

It's a cruel game at time we ended up with a point could have been three due to an assist by their keeper in our area for a last gasp corner kick. On a night when we honoured the memory of Sir Bob it would have been nice to win but just one momentary lapse of concentration denied us two points.
Plenty of talking points which I will come to, tremendous support from Southampton just shy of 1600 which for a lengthy journey was impressive.
Wandere up to the ground fireworks were being let off on mass on Moor Park, just the norm 10 days before Bonfire Night, watching the training session one, Southampton player had died his hair but also looked to have had chevrons black and white cut on the back of his head then realised it was his snood.
Early stages on the game were unwatchable not because the football was bad but whoever was in charge of the LED advertisement hoardings had obviously decided to blind people.
When the pitch eventually came into view as per Russ pass pass Martin, Southampton were dominating possession although a bit like us.
We had some joy down either flank with Miller giving Walker-Peters a run for his money and Potts was giving as good as he got on the other flank, we probably looked the more dangerous when closer to goal but neither keeper was said to be over worked in the opening minutes.
Saints took the lead when Bazunu actually threw the ball out, giving Southampton the chance to break the ball eventually arrived at the feet of Walker-Peters attacked the edge of the box curled the ball in with his left foot, Woodman possibly unsighted by a forward had no chance probably on the balance of play they deserved the lead but they got away with one on the stroke of half time as Keane's goal bound shot hit the arm of Charles on the goalline

Mr Simpson who had an interesting night gave a corner, at the time had no idea how it had stayed out until I saw the clip of it.

Osmajic on at half time for Mads who struggled to get into the game, the big lad made a difference chased down a clearance from the keeper and that set the tone, within minutes level Whiteman free kick headed clear first time shot by Osmajic may have taken a deflection and in it went, minutes later it got even better Potts started and ended the move, the wing back won the ball outside his own area, headed up field ball to Holmes onto Osmajic lovely pass behind the defender and there was Potts heading towards goal followed by a despairing defender, Potts megged Bazunu and we were in front.
Should have gone for a third but sat back and Southampton went back to the pass the ball about game brought on Stuart Armstrong, he made a difference found space and caused us trouble.
Should have gone two ahead when another mazy Miller run had Osmajic in a good position but his cross was just behind the big Montenerian and the chance was lost.
Six minutes of extra time and in the last minute the ball goes into the box Storey handles it, should have been a penalty Mr Simpson gives a corner at least he was consistent.
Ball to near post Bazunu makes a decent header for a goalkeeper the ball hits Evans and ends up in the net gutting to say the lleast but didn't defend it
That's the way it goes Hull Saturday another test.

North End boss Ryan Lowe:

"First and foremost I'm really proud of the boys. It's a sucker punch at the end, but I've no complaints about that one. We should have seen the game out by that stage.

"I've had to lift the lads up, they're all disappointed because we were worthy of getting the three points. We've got to pick ourselves up for another big game at the weekend now.

"The Championship is a rocky road, there's always lots of ups and downs, but I never get too frustrated any more because I know the players always give me 100 per cent effort and application.

"We've got a squad we can rotate and everyone knows they have to keep performing."

Southampton manager Russell Martin told BBC Radio Solent:

"We were good for 35 minutes and then 10 minutes either side of half-time have cost us the lead and changed the temperature of the game and the atmosphere here completely.

"Then the subs came in, with relentless energy and we scored a late goal again because of that, so I can't be unhappy with the performance as a whole.

"Shea (Charles) going off was a big moment for us because he was playing really well and has tweaked his groin, hopefully not too badly.

"I'm frustrated it took Gavin Bazunu to score, and get a point out of the game, but also really proud that they stuck at it and dug in. We are five games unbeaten and have the chance on Saturday to turn it into a really brilliant week."