20-10-2016, 15:19
David Wagner's 45th birthday was yesterday, he didn't get the present he wanted, however when he looks back on this game the image will be of Paul Gallagher's right foot. Three times from free kicks this wand was used and three times it led to gaols as North End overcame high flying Huddersfield Town in an decent game at Deepdale. Only disappointment was there were not more than 12862 to watch obviously watching City get destroyed in Spain proved a bigger attraction for those with saggy arses.
Grayson made three changes with Pringle and Gallagher back in the side along with the previously suspended Cunningham. Huddersfield also made a few changed from the defeat on Sunday.
On 6 minutes free kick number one, whipped in from the left touchline, Clarke on the end of it not sure if Ward got a hand to it but in it went, fair play to Clarke didn't celebrate unlike the rest of us.
Within five minutes Town had two chances Scannell denied by a great saving tackle by Cunningham and keeper Maxwell was almost caught 40 yards from goal but was saved by his defenders.
Town dominated possession forced several corners which well all caught by the impressive Maxwell, although they had possession for long periods they were slow in the build up and always seemed to want ten passes to many whereas North End were a little more direct got the ball in the box causing panic in the Town ranks. Keeper Ward looked suspect on balls into the box and the two central defenders Hudson and Schindler could not cope with the improving Hugill who also showed that he has a decent turn of speed for a big man.
Free kick number two on the stroke of half time, personally this was the pick of the three, Gallagher to Johnson back to Gallagher cross was inch perfect Baptiste made it two.
Two substitutions by Hudersfield Wells and Bunn came on they looked better, but North End nearly made it three when Pringle could not quite force his way through, didn't matter though, free kick number three, Gallagher cut out the middle men on this one curled it past everyone into the net. Game over not quite, Town piled on tons of pressure lobbing in many shots in a valiant attempt to get back in the game, they had a series of corners as they pinned North End back. The consolation goal came about 15 minutes about 15 minutes from time from unsurprisingly a free kick, Schindler heading the ball back into the six yard box for Wells to score from close range. North End could not quite relax but survived the final period without too many alarms to take a deserved three points.
Preston North End 3 Huddersfield Town 1 Att 12862
Preston manager Simon Grayson: "Maybe leaving Paul Gallagher out for a couple of games has given a reminder that nobody is safe in the team if others are doing well. Gally, on his day, is as good as anyone in this division with his delivery.
"We knew what a good team they were and we knew that we had to be very good off the ball to stop them playing.
"Sometimes you win a match with the ball and how you play, but that was as much about what we did off it as well.
"We made them kick it long and not get into a routine. We got the goals at the right time and it was a really strong performance from first whistle to last."
Huddersfield boss David Wagner: "To be fair, the explanation for our performance is very easy, we weren't on the aggression that we normally are.
"If you want to be successful here against Preston you have to be aggressive, especially in the first line to defend the ball and keep the ball. This is what we completely missed.
"In the end, three set-pieces decided the game. But credit to Preston, Gallagher is a great deliverer and unfortunately we were not able to defend these balls.
"It was a weakness in that game yes, but my bigger concern is that we didn't have our fighting attitude. In the second half it was better, but the first half was not good enough."
Grayson made three changes with Pringle and Gallagher back in the side along with the previously suspended Cunningham. Huddersfield also made a few changed from the defeat on Sunday.
On 6 minutes free kick number one, whipped in from the left touchline, Clarke on the end of it not sure if Ward got a hand to it but in it went, fair play to Clarke didn't celebrate unlike the rest of us.
Within five minutes Town had two chances Scannell denied by a great saving tackle by Cunningham and keeper Maxwell was almost caught 40 yards from goal but was saved by his defenders.
Town dominated possession forced several corners which well all caught by the impressive Maxwell, although they had possession for long periods they were slow in the build up and always seemed to want ten passes to many whereas North End were a little more direct got the ball in the box causing panic in the Town ranks. Keeper Ward looked suspect on balls into the box and the two central defenders Hudson and Schindler could not cope with the improving Hugill who also showed that he has a decent turn of speed for a big man.
Free kick number two on the stroke of half time, personally this was the pick of the three, Gallagher to Johnson back to Gallagher cross was inch perfect Baptiste made it two.
Two substitutions by Hudersfield Wells and Bunn came on they looked better, but North End nearly made it three when Pringle could not quite force his way through, didn't matter though, free kick number three, Gallagher cut out the middle men on this one curled it past everyone into the net. Game over not quite, Town piled on tons of pressure lobbing in many shots in a valiant attempt to get back in the game, they had a series of corners as they pinned North End back. The consolation goal came about 15 minutes about 15 minutes from time from unsurprisingly a free kick, Schindler heading the ball back into the six yard box for Wells to score from close range. North End could not quite relax but survived the final period without too many alarms to take a deserved three points.
Preston North End 3 Huddersfield Town 1 Att 12862
Preston manager Simon Grayson: "Maybe leaving Paul Gallagher out for a couple of games has given a reminder that nobody is safe in the team if others are doing well. Gally, on his day, is as good as anyone in this division with his delivery.
"We knew what a good team they were and we knew that we had to be very good off the ball to stop them playing.
"Sometimes you win a match with the ball and how you play, but that was as much about what we did off it as well.
"We made them kick it long and not get into a routine. We got the goals at the right time and it was a really strong performance from first whistle to last."
Huddersfield boss David Wagner: "To be fair, the explanation for our performance is very easy, we weren't on the aggression that we normally are.
"If you want to be successful here against Preston you have to be aggressive, especially in the first line to defend the ball and keep the ball. This is what we completely missed.
"In the end, three set-pieces decided the game. But credit to Preston, Gallagher is a great deliverer and unfortunately we were not able to defend these balls.
"It was a weakness in that game yes, but my bigger concern is that we didn't have our fighting attitude. In the second half it was better, but the first half was not good enough."
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