The Opposition View: Preston North End

Last updated : 27 March 2013 By Jim Bonner

Presumably, this is a season that will not live long in the memory?

Absolutely not. Mid-table mediocrity, no derby games or memorable score lines. Dull.

Did Graham Westley deserve to go and do you think Simon Grayson is the man to take Preston forward?

Westley lost the plot, he did a good job building a side in the summer but was out of his depth at this level and couldn't get the best out of them. Predictable and robotic football, zero creativity and poor tactical decisions which cost us points.

It's very early days for Grayson but so far, so good I would say and his record at this level is as good as it gets, winning promotion with Leeds, Huddersfield and that run-down township with a tower.

Patrick Agyemang will be returning to Deepdale. What reception will he get and what do you think of him as a player?

He will get a good one I think, seems to have changed his game a lot due to lack of pace and has become a hold up player but the man was rapid when he was at Deepdale and was all about running at defenders and playing on the shoulder.

He is one of the most unpredictable strikers we've ever had, running the ball out of play one minute and scoring overhead kicks the next. Will always be remembered by me for his wonder goal at home to West Brom (Youtube it!) and his goal that killed off West Ham at Upton park.

Who are Preston's key players that Pompey fans should be wary of?

Lee Holmes, few better players in this league and has come into his own after suffering numerous injuries in the first half of the season. He has been playing down the right recently but can put in a good cross with either foot and causes plenty of problems when he cuts in and has a run, class act.

I think Stuart Beavon will miss this one so we will be without our main goal threat. He's a brilliant striker of the ball, has a fantastic touch and will run himself into the ground. Nicky Wroe likes a pop from range too and is our joint-top scorer.

What weaknesses in this North End side could Pompey exploit on Good Friday?

Since Grayson has come in we have been very solid at the back and we haven't conceded in our last four games from open play, would have kept four clean sheets if it wasn't for a debatable last minute penalty at Brentford.

Prior to that the two goals we conceded were individual errors by Bailey Wright and David Buchanan so a concentration lapse or communication error from one of those two could let you in. 

Pompey have massively improved recently so what kind of match will you be expecting at Deepdale?

Pompey need wins so i'm expecting an open game, we've wasted chances in recent games so hopefully we can be more clinical on Friday and see a few goals.

Predict the outcome of the game.

2-1 PNE, David Connolly is bound to score if he plays, he has haunted us for years.