North End well beaten with a mixed display at Bristol with Mr Ferguson in charge for the first time. There’s time, but with Chelsea scoring 7 and playing PNE in the cup next week the defence are no doubt practicing blocking the goal line. Although Darren F says attack and entertainment is his philosophy so lets hope he gets it right.
Preston’s plight is similar to a number of north-west teams this season. Even the mighty Man.U. are looking out of sorts but still high in the table. Some glimmers of light, last weekend on TV, Everton and Wigan looked like they’d turned a corner and maybe they’ll move up the table.
Some common themes are management disruption. Preston, Bolton, Burnley, Wigan, Man.C. have had changes to their managers. Man U, Liverpool have tensions between the fans and board. Man.U. and Liverpool have also had injuries to some key players. The recession is also increasing the damage and, although denied, this and the fall of the pound against the Euro makes overseas clubs able to make bids that those with the UK£ will find more difficult to turn away and more difficult to buy replacement.
Another feature is that Chelsea and Arsenal are playing great football this season.
The north-west has been very successful in football terms in the last decade and even places like Morecambe and Fleetwood are having their best time. Can’t really account for this but hope that things aren’t changing just yet.