Big Game Preview - Preton North End v Latics

In the final game before the latest international break, I didn’t miss these in League 1, we travel the short distance up the M6 to face Preston North End at Deepdale.

The prospect of a ding-dong Lancashire derby really has whet the appetite and close on 4,000 Wiganers are making the trip to cheer the Latics on to what they hope will be their second away win of the campaign.

Whilst we sit a comfortable 9^th, level on 17 points with 6^th placed Brentford, Preston are floundering at the foot of the table 6 points and a -10 goal difference, not the start that the Lillywhites were envisaging.

Recent weeks have seen Paul Cook tighten up the defences with just one goal conceded in the last three games - that was a hotly disputed 84^th minute penalty away at Norwich – the gung ho approach of the first few games appears to have settled down, though I do suspect that Saturday’s game will be a very open affair.

With Preston desperate for points and the Latics smelling blood we should hopefully see a full bloodied game with a cup tie feel about it, a great atmosphere awaits and this is a game that all Latics fans are looking forward to.

Up the tics!

Team News

Wigan Athletic

Gavin Massey is still a long way off with his hamstring injury but Dan Burn, Sam Morsy, James Vaughan and Will Grigg are now all declared fully fit and raring to go creating somewhat of a welcome headache for manager Paul Cook.

I can see both Grigg and Morsy coming into the starting XI whilst Vaughan and Burn will probably have to make do with a place on the bench.

Latics possible:

Walton

James, Kipre, Dunkley, Robinson

Morsy, Evans

Windass, Powell, Jacobs

Grigg

Man To Watch

Nick Powell will surely be up for this one, and no doubt up to his sh*thousing best, should be a great battle between himself and the Preston defensive midfield line.

 

Preston North End

Josh Harrop, Billy Bodin, Callum Woods and Sean Maguire are all missing with injury and Darnell Fisher is likely to have a late fitness test but is a doubt.

Brandon Barker is likely to return following a bout of illness that he’s now recovered from.

Preston possible:

Maxwell

Fisher, Huntington, Davies, Hughes

Pearson, Johnson

Browne, Robinson, Barker

Nmecha

Man To Watch

Ben Pearson former Manchester United youngster and will be well known to Nick Powell, tough tackling and highly rated, should be a great duel with both Powell and Pearson on Saturday, there could be cards!

Any Previous?

Latics and Preston have met 45 times down the years.

Latics 14 wins, Preston 17, draws 14.

 

Meet The Ref

Lee Probert (Wilts) take a look at our Meet The Ref article by clicking here

Prediction

I predict a high scoring game each week, mostly tongue in cheek, but I do feel that this will be one of those that will see quite a few goals, possibly a red card or two also, I’m going for a 2-3 away win for the Latics.

Up Next

Latics v West Brom

DW Stadium

Saturday

20/10/18

3pm

 

Ladies And Gentlemen We Have A Winner

Massive congratulations to Peter, he was first to be pulled out of the hat in the Red Brick Design Springfield Park print competition that we recently ran on the PWU Latics Podcast.

A lifelong Latics supporter, born and bred Wiganer now living in Lincolnshire but still a season ticket holder at the DW Stadium.

In town on family business I managed to meet up with the man himself and Peter was absolutely delighted to win the print, on handing over the prize this afternoon Peter told me:

“I’m absolutely delighted to win the print”

So there you have it, why not be like Peter and see if you can be a winner in our latest competition courtesy of Jonny Adamson a fantastic overhead view of the Springfield Park site.

Click on the tweet below for details, oh and don’t forget to give this week’s podcast a listen, features a great preview of the PNE v Latics game.

To win the Springfield Park print below all you have to do is...

👍🏼 like this post
⚽️ Follow us
👦🏼 Follow @jonnyadamsonps

Why not treat yourself to one of these prints @LaticsOfficial fans?! #wafc https://t.co/MvJwOUDwcT

— Progress with Unity - Wigan Athletic Podcast (@PWUPodcast) October 3, 2018

Meet The Ref - PNE v Latics

Latics travel 15 miles up the M6 on Saturday for a derby match with Preston North End at Deepdale in what could be a real Lancashire hotpot, the man in the middle charged with ensuring that no one over steps the mark will be Gloucestershire official Lee Probert.

The 44 year old Bristol born whistle blower is a Select Group official and has been officiating in the Premier League for several seasons and our paths have crossed on numerous occasions though the last time was a while back, May the 4^th 2013 to be exact, when the ‘force’ was definitely with us as we went to the Hawthorns and beat West Brom 3-2.  

Lee Probert has ref’d five games this so far season, 3 in the Premier League, 1 in the Championship and 1 in League One

Probert gave an interview where he stated that he`s a referee because he is a rubbish footballer and says to be a good referee you need confidence, a calm approach when making decisions, assertiveness, resilience, patience and sound knowledge of the rules of the game, man-management and communication skills. You`ve not got that straight from the text book have you Lee?

Any way here is an excerpt of that interview:

How did you get introduced into refereeing?
My interest in football began at an early age due to my father managing several amateur local football teams. I was encouraged by him to take the referee`s exam at the age of 16 when I realised that I would not achieve my dream of becoming a professional footballer.

What is the best game you have officiated and why?
To date the most memorable game I have officiated would be the Carling Cup Final 2006/2007 season at the Millennium Stadium between Arsenal and Chelsea. To be involved in such a prestigious final was an acknowledgement of all the hard work and dedication that is required.

What skills do you think you need to become a professional referee?
There are many skills required to become a professional referee, to be confident and possess a calm approach when making decisions, having assertiveness, resilience and patience but most importantly having sound knowledge of the rules of the game, man-management and communication skills.

Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?
The constant support and guidance of my parents throughout my career perhaps has been the biggest influence by far, although along the way I have had the pleasure of working alongside experienced coaches who have assisted the development of my career.

In your opinion who is/was the best referee?
In my opinion the best referee of his time was Jack Taylor who was the first English referee to take charge of a World Cup Final in 1974.

Lee Probert Card Watch 2018/19

Games – 5

Yellows – 17

Reds – 2

Preston North End v Wigan Athletic
Referee - Probert, Lee
Assistants - Andrew Garratt and Neil Davies
Fourth Official - Ross Joyce

PWU Latics Podcast - Episode 11 - PNE Preview

Another week, another PWU Latics podcast.

Cast away your autumnal woes and cheer yourself up with a listen to the latest podcast, which is episode 11 of this particular season and the 276th since we began!.

Take a look back on the Norwich defeat and the goalless draw with Swansea, both games provided the Latics with a strong test as we remain in the top half of the table.

The result of the centre back pairings from the Latics Legends XI are named and we go on to debate the nominees for the right side of midfield, a difficult choice, no doubt people will disagree.

We launch a competition with a superb prize courtesy of Johnny Adamson.

Preston North End fans and season ticket holders at Deepdale, Martin and Steve join us live in the studio for a preview of Saturday’s local derby.

Happy listening fellow tics!