The fans panel
0-1
Written by Jimmy Atkinson
"Differing opinions about this game arose after the match, but one thing was for certain. What a strike".
The match itself wasn't the best, in terms of quality by both sides. Leicester, were not pretty to be watched and didn't force any real test on Lonergan, who to be honest had nothing to do except pick the ball out of the net three times for rightly disallowed goals. In recent weeks, we've had some shocking officials at both Deepdale and away from home, but the flip-side of the coin happened on Tuesday night with the officials seeming to be inexperienced, but strong in enforcing their decisions. Thought that Preston played well in spells, the return of Sean St.
Ledger seemed to give the back-line a lot more balance and cohesion, and with Chilvers and Mawene as solid as a rock there was no route for Leicester to get past them, or even test Lonergan. Saying that, Leicester will probably feel slightly aggrieved seeming that they had the ball in the net three times, but looking at the incidents again, there is two clear offside's, and one blatant handball. So all credit to the officials, who have got these incidents correct on this occasion. Notable mention also to Chris Sedgwick, who I thought was the pick of the Preston midfielder's.
Tireless running and effort, which would be a dream if it could be taken into some of the other midfielder's games. Darren Carter had a very poor game by his standards, was completely missing for the middle 80 minutes of the game before showing why we paid three-quarters of a million pound for him with one of the best goals this season, in any league, in any country.
Hate to be a pessimist, but I thought Whaley is beginning to look slightly disinterested. He's going back to how he was under Simpson in not taking on the men and coming backwards, instead of been the out-and-out winger that he is known for. Whether the penalty miss against Portsmouth has psychologically affected him or not interests me because he seems to be lacking the confidence he had built up until that point.
It was also a shame to see the hard-working Craig Beattie substituted with a hamstring injury shortly before half-time. I was impressed with his hard-work, and seems to have a touch of class about him. I hope I see him back in a Preston shirt soon following his move from West Bromwich Albion. But, at the end of the day its the most important three points of the season. Well done boys.
Match Ratings:
1. Lonergan - 6
18. Hill - 5
14. Chilvers - 8
5. Mawene - 8
12. St Ledger - 8
7. Sedgwick - 8 (STAR MAN)
11. Carter - 7
16. McKenna - 6
15. Whaley - 5 (23. L Neal - 6)
9. Brown - 6
10. Beattie - 6 (33. Mellor - 6)