Match Thread Coventry City - Preston North End FC Match Thread - Friday 23rd Feb (1 Viewer)

Mcbean

Well-Known Member
If this is the only plan in place for tonight it’s going to be carnage again.

For all the positives and massive steps forward we’ve taken the last few years, this aspect is still so amateur.

And before people moan, it isn’t as straightforward for people to just get there early. Especially on Friday when people have work, plans with kids/families etc to work around.
Although going in with 30 mins to go was certainly ok for us last time having had a bevvy in the Casino
 

rexo87

Well-Known Member
With Torp, Sheaf and Allen out injured, it really is time for Eccles to step up and prove he is a top quality Championship CM.

A lot of this forum seems to think he is. He’s a solid option defensively and in possession but he’s conservative. Sheaf and Torp are a level above him.

He’s still got almost 3 years on Sheaf. He’s better than Sheaf was at 23


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SkyBlueSoul

Well-Known Member
Going with 1-1 tonight. Hoping the 3 days off have revitalised them a bit, especially Saka. Need him firing and not battling through at 75%. Eccles and Lati is what it is if Torp's out, at least it's a strong base and MR always says if you can't win, don't lose.

Wilson
MvE Thomas Kitching Dasilva
Eccles Lati
Saka O'Hare Wright
Simms
 

Hertsccfc

Well-Known Member
With Torp, Sheaf and Allen out injured, it really is time for Eccles to step up and prove he is a top quality Championship CM.

A lot of this forum seems to think he is. He’s a solid option defensively and in possession but he’s conservative. Sheaf and Torp are a level above him.
What more do you expect of Eccles?

He's been a regular performer in a top Championship team for a year and a half and for periods our best player this season. But I guess some people will never accept him because they have made their mind up.
 
Its Preston isn’t it? Accept defeat now and it will hurt less come 10pm this evening. 0-2
This was my initial thinking, but I say every time we play them that our abysmal record has to change at some point - so why not this time!

Does feel like the stakes are quite high tonight too, so what better time to put the bogey team to bed and jump back into the top 6.

Optimistically going for a 2-0 home win, we should have enough about us to get the three points.
 

Noble

Well-Known Member
Looks like some of our usual youth subs are playing for the U21s today, might be a short bench
 

Cov98

Well-Known Member
Tonight I think we go with
Collins
MVE Thomas Kitching Bidwell
Lati Eccles
Sakamoto O’Hare Wright
Simms
Can't see Robins dropping Wilson considering he got a clean sheet last time out, albeit not having anything to do.

Otherwise I reckon that's pretty much the team we'll go with. Can't drop Simms after his performance last game.
 

Jamesimus

Well-Known Member
So just to confirm, it is on ifollow, it’s just that Preston fans have absolutely no idea how to use a vpn?
 

Ian1779

Well-Known Member
He’s a different type of player to Sheaf and Torp. Eccles has now played over 100 games for us, he’s proven himself to be a quality championship level player. Maybe try getting off his back and supporting him
Eccles has proven he is of Championship standard. Given we are no longer flouncing around in L1/L2 it will already be more difficult for any of our academy players to break into the first team. The fact he has done it and made >100 appearances should result be something we celebrate.

Miles better than Bayliss, Stevenson, Thomas and other players we sold on for cash not so long ago
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
What more do you expect of Eccles?

He's been a regular performer in a top Championship team for a year and a half and for periods our best player this season. But I guess some people will never accept him because they have made their mind up.

Would you say he’s a standout performer? Likewise, had Hamer stayed, would he start over Sheaf or Hamer? I don’t think so. In fact, would he start ahead of Torp? Probably not.

You say he’s been our best player this season but on what metric? It’s claims like these that grate me.

I’ve been consistent in saying that Eccles is a good, solid player. Based on my viewings of him, I don’t think he’s someone who can take us to the next level. That isn’t an insult of him in the slightest.

He’s still young and can develop and that next step for him is to run games in the same way Sheaf and Hamer were able to.
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
Eccles has proven he is of Championship standard. Given we are no longer flouncing around in L1/L2 it will already be more difficult for any of our academy players to break into the first team. The fact he has done it and made >100 appearances should result be something we celebrate.

Miles better than Bayliss, Stevenson, Thomas and other players we sold on for cash not so long ago

Agreed and he deserves all the credit for that. All of those players, with the exception of Stevenson would have develop a lot more staying at Cov. Robins and his team have done a great job at developing talent.

For periods, he’s been our best player. Assuming he means the start of the season, when Eccles was playing at a solid level while most of the rest of the team was floundering, I would tend to agree with him.
Based on subjective opinion? Sheaf has been better in most categories and he doesn’t take set pieces.
 

Earlsdon_Skyblue1

Well-Known Member
Would you say he’s a standout performer? Likewise, had Hamer stayed, would he start over Sheaf or Hamer? I don’t think so. In fact, would he start ahead of Torp? Probably not.

You say he’s been our best player this season but on what metric? It’s claims like these that grate me.

I’ve been consistent in saying that Eccles is a good, solid player. Based on my viewings of him, I don’t think he’s someone who can take us to the next level. That isn’t an insult of him in the slightest.

He’s still young and can develop and that next step for him is to run games in the same way Sheaf and Hamer were able to.

Earlier in the season he was one of our best players, if not the best player in quite a few games. I do think he has been a bit average in some more recent matches, but I think one of the Sheffield Wednesday games he was again back to his best.

The comparisons with Sheaf are annoying. They are both very good midfielders, but one is routinely criticised and deemed a squad player, the other a champions league star in the waiting. You said in an earlier post that Sheaf was a class above, but I have to say that I reject that argument. I don't see very much between them at all, but that's a good thing. Torp was the upgrade the midfield needed creativity-wise.
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
Earlier in the season he was one of our best players, if not the best player in quite a few games. I do think he has been a bit average in some more recent matches, but I think one of the Sheffield Wednesday games he was again back to his best.

The comparisons with Sheaf are annoying. They are both very good midfielders, but one is routinely criticised and deemed a squad player, the other a champions league star in the waiting. You said in an earlier post that Sheaf was a class above, but I have to say that I reject that argument. I don't see very much between them at all, but that's a good thing. Torp was the upgrade the midfield needed creativity-wise.

I think both Eccles and Sheaf can be overrated a little bit. Central midfield is the only position where it’s not better than last season. Earlier on in the season when people were saying it’s our strongest position - it isn’t.

I’m rooting for all of our players, if Eccles could hit Hamer’s level of performances I would be delighted. There’s no agenda here.

When it comes down to it, would Eccles start ahead of Sheaf, Hamer or Torp? I would say no at this stage of his career. He’s a very solid player.
 

Hertsccfc

Well-Known Member
Would you say he’s a standout performer? Likewise, had Hamer stayed, would he start over Sheaf or Hamer? I don’t think so. In fact, would he start ahead of Torp? Probably not.

You say he’s been our best player this season but on what metric? It’s claims like these that grate me.

I’ve been consistent in saying that Eccles is a good, solid player. Based on my viewings of him, I don’t think he’s someone who can take us to the next level. That isn’t an insult of him in the slightest.

He’s still young and can develop and that next step for him is to run games in the same way Sheaf and Hamer were able to.
Sorry if it grates that I believe he was our best player early in the season. Obviously you know best.
 

Hertsccfc

Well-Known Member
I think both Eccles and Sheaf can be overrated a little bit. Central midfield is the only position where it’s not better than last season. Earlier on in the season when people were saying it’s our strongest position - it isn’t.

I’m rooting for all of our players, if Eccles could hit Hamer’s level of performances I would be delighted. There’s no agenda here.

When it comes down to it, would Eccles start ahead of Sheaf, Hamer or Torp? I would say no at this stage of his career. He’s a very solid player.
Hamer and Gyokeres were a different level to any players we have had for many years. To compare Sheaf and Eccles to them is unfair and they have often been our best players this season.
 

Yorkshire SB

Well-Known Member
Would you say he’s a standout performer? Likewise, had Hamer stayed, would he start over Sheaf or Hamer? I don’t think so. In fact, would he start ahead of Torp? Probably not.

You say he’s been our best player this season but on what metric? It’s claims like these that grate me.

I’ve been consistent in saying that Eccles is a good, solid player. Based on my viewings of him, I don’t think he’s someone who can take us to the next level. That isn’t an insult of him in the slightest.

He’s still young and can develop and that next step for him is to run games in the same way Sheaf and Hamer were able to.
I’m with you.

He’s had a great season, added consistency and certainly looks a very decent championship player (I’d say he didn’t really last).

This is an opportunity for him to puff his chest out and show that he’s capable of being a top championship player, because honestly, I think there is more to come from Eccles. I want to see a bit more arrogance and confidence in his play.
 

mullingar

Well-Known Member
Is there any TV coverage at all of tonights game? I assumed ifollow would be good on a Friday but The Telegraph suggests otherwise
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
Hamer and Gyokeres were a different level to any players we have had for many years. To compare Sheaf and Eccles to them is unfair and they have often been our best players this season.
Is it? We want to be a Premiership club and Hamer starts for worst Prem team since Derby. He was the Championship’s best midfielder last season.

Even at upfront, we’ve got nearly the same production from Wright and Simms as Gyokeres. There’s less X-factor but the goal contributions tally up.
 
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