Lillywhites v Terriers Match Thread

Town go into their 43rd game of the season looking to cement their place in the end of season Play Offs, I think it's already secured. Recent results and performances over the Easter Holidays have left some Town fans questioning whether Dean Hoyle made the right decision is sacking Lee Clark. Personally I think if Lee Clark can be given three years, then Simon Grayson can be given the same amount of time(ish).
On to Saturday's game and both teams have had a change of manager this season. Firstly Preston got rid of Phil (naturally) Brown and replaced him with Graham Westley from Stevenage after they tumbled down the League. This was after quite a promising start to their campaign and a move which made some national press due to Westley's odd text messages with a motivational intent to players at Stupid o'clock in the morning. We all know about what happened at Town, so no need to go into that again. Preston were one of my favourites to bounce straight back up to the Championship, but it seems money troubles have put a promotion charge on the back burner till??????? Well, who knows. Town have been given a massive 5000 tickets for this one, but I fear some will now have been put off from going due to recent form.

Getting there

I would head the well trodden route to Blackpool, but head off the M6 at Preston. If your going there by Train, I've been reliably told it's a 25 mins walk to the Stadium, so give yourself plenty of time.

Beer

We all know should drink with responsibility, but it seems there is contrasting stories on where to get refreshments. It seems the bigger the crowd the less likely you are to get in somewhere. Wetherspoons and Yates' are usually safe bets though.

Played for both (recently)

Chris Lucketti

Really liked this player in his first stint at Town. He came in the Rubery era and was one player who was a bargain at the time, but money troubles forced a fire sale and he was one who went. His second stint can at best be described as a total waste of time and money for the club.

Jamie McCombe

This lad got a small tickle from a Leyton Orient player and was told he would never play for the club again by our former manager. He was then shipped out to Preston. This enraged some fans, but pleased others as he is a scapegoat for some. Up to ticklegate he was, in my eyes, our best defender.

Pawel Abbott

Looked a great replacement for Steady back in the day and was offered to MK Dopns in a swap for Dean Lewington, but turned it down. Now plying his trade for Ruch Chorzow in Poland

Team News

Who knows what team could be put out for this one, so lets look at some form

Smithies...some say is costing us goals, but he is an asset so will no doubt play
Hunt..has he been found out going forward, like he has going back
Morrison.... looks a must buy in the summer and looks solid alongside
P Clarke.. Looks a better player since his injury problems
Woods.. another been injured, so can he get his place back off
T Clarke.. well documented I'm not his biggest fan, but some like him and think he's not in his natural position.
Ward..frustrating is all I can describe this lad. Has time on his side and also a big money price tag
Robinson.. Got a start at B/Mouth, but I'm still not convinced this lad is a footballer
Kay..another scapegoat, but does offer a bit of muscle in the middle
Arismendi..rarely gives the ball away, but needs a better partner than the other two on offer to him
Arfield....in/out/in/out/in/out he's like a Boots' dream of him and Mitzi
Roberts....does he give a feck anymore??? I don't think so
Lee....stop trying to get a free kick and do your job
Rhodes....take our lass for half an hour or so, infact take tez's too.
Novak...not a winger and maybe not fit

I'm going for

....................................Smithies..................................

Hunt.....................Clarke P..........Morrison................Woods

Arfield.....................Kay.................Arismendi............Ward

..........................Lee.......................Rhodes..................

Referee

Andy D'urso
Seems there is a late ref change and Mr D'urso with his vast experience has taken over from the ill Rob Lewis

If this team can play to their maximum then I fully think the 3 points are theirs for the taking. I cant make this game due to potential fitting of decking, but I'm gonna really stick my neck on the line and say a 2-0 victory to Town and Grayson to finish what Lee Clark didn't too to Graham Westley