Tuesday, 20 September 2016

The Cherries must take their hurt out on Preston

Coming into the English Football League Cup game with Preston having just had one league win, there is much need for the Cherries to reassert their belief that they can control games and start scoring some goals. The third round of a cup competition is not always a routine game though and Preston have already knocked out Oldham and Hartlepool who would both be considered as hard games for AFCB only a few years ago. Last season, Preston proved to be tough opponents, taking the Cherries to a penalty shootout at Deepdale at this stage. 

AFCB should have too much for the Championship side and the Cherries home form is something that is not a massive concern, having seen the side get a win against WBA. Yet, the side will be changed from what we saw on Saturday and there needs to be a reaction.
The pressure will be on Eddie to get his team selection right.
For Preston too it has been a nervy start to 2016/17 and in their last match they were thumped 5-0 by Brentford which is hardly good preparations for going away to a Premier League side. Their best result in the Championship so far is certainly a 0-2 away win at QPR, but whether their influential Aiden McGeady can rally the 'Invincibles' is perhaps a big ask for them considering that they are shipping goals at an alarming rate, just like the Cherries.

Simon Grayson's summer signings include: Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady on loan from Everton. Alex Baptiste in central defence from Middlesbrough, and striker Marnick Vermijl from Sheffield Wednesday. Other signings include the Danish striker, Simon Makienok from Charlton, keeper Chris Maxwell from Fleetwood and Tommy Spurr, a defender from Blackburn Rovers.

The forwards that have been most in form for Preston before the Brentford defeat were Jordan Hugill, Callum Robinson and Eoin Doyle - and all three played against the Bees so we can perhaps expect a change up front. Jermaine Beckford is still at Preston North End and could be involved.

Eddie and Jason have to choose a side that will progress and the choice of who to pick is wide now, but  many of the players who were involved in the last round of the EFL Cup will be charged with the responsibility to clear the hurt of the City result and challenge for  a place in the squad on Saturday.

AFCB possible line up
Federici, Aké, M Wilson, Mings, B Smith, Faser, Gosling, L Cook, Pugh, Grabban, Afobe

Subs
Holmes, Buckly, Lee, Hyndman, Mousset, Gradel, Ndjoli

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