PRESTON IN LEAGUE CUP

How vital is this one? What are your thoughts on Wednesday night's game?

To be honest wont be gutted if we lost but a win does keep the momentum going. It does give an opportunity for some players to get a start and importantly get some match fitness which simply cant get on the training ground.

If I was NA team would be Bart, Fox, Hoovield, Fonte,Butterfield, Holmes, Chaplow, Schneiderlin, De Ridder, Forte ,Guly

subs Davis, Martin, Lallana, Lambert, Cork.

Think I read that Fox is cuptied.

Well a good result, into last 16 and all with 10 changes from Saturday. saints controlled the first half without carving out that many chances but by the same token never looked in any real danger. sainst took the lead with well worked corner. Reeves who had a good first half but tired hid behind the post, can do as not very big! Came back on and headed back across goal for Hoovield to head in. After that saints had a good patch but kep to long range shots or crosses which Preston were quite comofrtable with.

saints notoriously slow start in second halfs continued with a sloppy conceded goal. soft free kick knocked in, forward allowed space to shoot, Bart only parried and despite saints having 4 players in the box ball fell to one preston player whose shot was partly blocked but enough to go in.

Even for 10 minutes then lallana came on, Holmes moved to right beat his player and hit decent cross with his right foot and Lallana in close headed what proved the winner. Coupe of close moments but mostly free kicks and corners.

Positives

10 players got good match practice , decent debut for reeves, into last 16, day off for Cork, Fox Guly and Hammond

not so positive.

Bart didnt command his box, made harder work the should have been, de ridder and Holmes delivery often let down approach play, only one up front meant Forte didnt look good but in fairness little support so tough night for him