Vital Scunthorpe preview the Iron’s absolutely massive relegation scrap clash against Phil Brown’s bottom of the table Preston North End.
Vital Quotes:
Brian Horton:
‘It’s a massive game for both sides’
Ian Baraclough: ‘You’ve got to be honest with yourself. Otherwise you’re not helping yourself or the team.’
Scunthorpe United Team News:
With just 10 games remaining, the Iron are trailing safety by 4 points, and will be desperate to use their game in hand against Preston to cut the gap to just 1.
However: the Iron have lost 4 out of their last 5 games, including their last 2 and will want to return to their home form that saw them beat both Forest and Swansea by a solitary goal to nil.
Ben Gordon is the Iron’s only fresh injury doubt: although ex-Preston man Eddie Nolan is back and ready to step in for the loanee is needed.
Michael O’Connor is also back in contention for the Iron – and Scunny will be hoping that their top scorer can come to the party as the Iron desperately search for the win needed to keep them up.
Player to watch: Joe Garner
The clever centre-forward has been a hit in North Lincolnshire since his loan switch from Nottingham Forest – and his goals, all round play and commitment have proved invaluable for the Iron.
He holds it up well, wins plenty of free-kicks and penalties: and will be hoping that he can provide the attacking threat to find the Iron 3 more points at home.
Preston North End Team News:
Preston are in absolutely rotten form – rooted to the bottom of the table, seemingly destined for relegation and haven’t won all year.
But Phil Brown’s men are likely to be boosted by the return of midfielder Barry Nicholson and keeper Iain Turner in time for the game against the Iron.
Player to watch: Paul Hayes
Despite having had a relatively unsuccessful time with Preston so far – he’s still very popular with the Iron fans, and his technique, all round class and undoubted skill and intelligence will make him a threat if the service is right for Preston.
However: it’s perhaps not a shock that after being subbed in the game against the Iron earlier in the season – it was only the Scunny fans he clapped off.
Match Facts & Stats
The Iron’s recent record is good and will be hoping to complete another double over the Lilywhites following their brilliant 3-2 success over the Lancashire side earlier in the season.
This could mirror the Iron’s successes last season: where wins both at home and at Deepdale were vital in securing safety for the Iron.
Ref Watch:
The man in the middle for tonight’s game will be Nigel Miller owing to an enforced change of officials by the FA.
Iron fans will be hoping for an improved performance from the man in black and his officials from Saturday.
Match Prediction:
Owing to the Iron’s pitch and the rotten form both teams are in, do not expect a classic game on show at Glanford Park.
It is likely to be low on quality, high on intensity and low on goals.
But Preston are the only side in the league who haven’t won in 2011, and the Iron will fancy their chances of stretching their awful form.
So it is with hope more than anything else that we predict a tight, edgy, scrappy and unattractive 1-0 Iron victory.
Next Fixtures:
Saturday March 19th, N-Power Championship: Ipswich Town {A}
