Preston North End's 07/08 Championship Season Review

The 2007/2008 season started as the last one had ended for Preston North End only this time they were without goalscoring hero David Nugent who had joined Portsmouth in the summer for a reported £6 million pounds.

Preston struggled at the beginning of the season picking up only one victory in their first seven games.

When reflecting on this bad start Preston North End midfielder Darren Carter said: "The confidence and the atmosphere around the place was rock bottom.
"when there's no banter flying around, no one really bubbling about the place it carries on to a Saturday, you go into the game on that low. There were points before Christmas where you thought , where do you go from here?"

Manager Paul Simpson was released from his position on the 13th November after only being able to guide Preston to two furthur victories.

Alan Irvine

A week later and Alan Irvine was appointed manager. Irvine had received one of the best apprenticeships in the game working at both Blackburn and Newcastle as Academy Director bringing through players like England Under 21 defender Steven Taylor. More recently Irvine had been Assistant Manager at Everton since 2002 during their most successful spell since the Premiership began.

Irvine is the latest in a long line of Scots to manage Preston including David Moyes, Craig Brown and Billy Davies. Preston fans were hoping he could be just as succesful as his fellow countrymen had been during their time at the club.

Irvine soon got to work trying to change the way the training and match preparation was carried out in order to bring it up to the high standards he had set for himself at Everton. He also set an ambitious target of 54 points for his team to reach to make them safe from relegation.

After three straight defeats Irvine got his first win as Preston manager beating Hull 3-0 at Deepdale with goals from Agyemang, Whaley and Neal. However this win was followed with a 1-0 defeat at home to bitter local rivals Blackpool who had been promoted to the Championship that season. The result left Preston second from bottom after 21 games played and eyebrows were starting to be raised over whether Preston had any chance of acheiving the target the manager had set.

Revival

However the derby defeat led to a team revival and North End won their next three games including a satisfying 3-2 victory over another bitter local rival Burnley away at Turf Moor.



In the second half of the season the revival was complete and Preston hit an excellent run of form.

So what led to the turn around? Daren carter said: "A relisation that things could really go bad this year. Everyone came together and said 'we've got to get ourselves out of this, we've got to be right on the pitch and do everything right on the training ground.' When the gaffer came in he organised everything, preperation for games has never been so good."

Preston enjoyed victories over promotion chasing Stoke, Charlton and Wolves before completing the double over Burnley, winning 2-1 at Deepdale.

Target reached

Preston reached their 54 point target with a 2-2 draw away at QPR although they were dissapointed not to win the game after conceeding two late goals in extra time.

They will not be losing any of their focus yet though, Alan Irvine said: "We're on top of the form guide since the 12th of January with Hull and the target is for us to stay there,
"We've got two home games remaining and we'd love to win the two of them."

Fans Opinion

The Preston North End Fans didn't hessitate to give their opinion on Preston's season via the 606 forum. MisterMajestic wrote: "Irvine is and has been fantastic. A likeable guy but also very intelligent when it comes to the beautiful game. He knew exactly what was needed when he came in and took the players right back to basics. Brown was a very astute signing and by all accounts so is Trotman. Next season I'm hoping for Promotion to the Premier League! Come on whites!!!"

Steady said: "I've found this season really hard work! Alan Irvine has done a fantastic job and full credit to the players for taking in and responding to his ideas and methods. Needless to say I'm more optimistic about the next campaign!"

Thisyearsformeandyou enthusiastically posted: "I have loved this season! The intrigue, the comings and goings, ups and downs. It has been bizarre and enthralling.

"There were moments when I despaired (Cardiff - second half!!), moments of intensity (WBA - 2-1), moments of excitement (Southampton 5-1) and moments of pride (many, especially, Sheff Utd 3-1).

"Yes, of course I would have preferred to have won more games and been top of the league, but I think that history will tell that this season was a turning for the club. We were not ready for great things, we're still not but I believe that we will be, sooner rather than later.

"Alan Irvine is the best possible thing that could have happened to PNE. Before he came it was hard to see where we were going - no-one had even mentioned his name as a likely candidate, but Derek Shaw obviously had his eye on him and what a fantastic appointment. For all his faults, even his most hardened critic must credit Shaw for appointing Irvine.

"Next season I wish for patience from everyone - however good a manger Irvine is it still takes time to build a good team that is capable, not just of getting into the premiership, but to stay there as well.

"The future is bright! Up the lilywhites!"

Preston North End v Barnsley Match Preview

Preston reached their 54 point target in midweek but won't be able to relax against a Barnsley side that are fighting to avoid relegation when they meet at Deepdale tomorrow.

Barnsley may have been knocked out in the FA Cup semi final last weekend to Cardiff but bounced back in terrific fashion to beat Championship title contenders Watford 3-0 at Vicarage Road.

At a press conference today Preston North End Manager Alan Irvine said: "They went to Watford on the back of a really big disappointment for them and they showed great character, they'll be feeling much better about themselves."

North End Midfielder Darren Carter is expecting a challenge but believes Barnsley fatigue may give Preston an advantage: "They'll come here confident but if they've played Sunday and Wednesday we want to make sure we're alot brighter and fresher because we've had a week off. We'll be flying out the blocks and it's game we want to win and have to win"

Odejayi

The player Preston defenders should be watching for is Kayode Odejayi who scored a fantastic winning goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter final.



He missed a great chance to draw Barnsley level at Wembley last weekend but didn't dwell on it and was back in goalscoring form against Watford netting two goals to lift the Yorkshire side out of the relegation places.

Talking about the Nigerian striker Preston manager Irvine said: "He plays right on the shoulder of the last defender, he looks to run in behind all the time, he's very quick and he's very strong. He's a handful for any defenders."



Irvine will be able to pick from a near full strength squad after Neil Mellor, Billy Jones and Youl Mawene were all confirmed fit to play tomorrow.

Mathematically Safe

Preston will want to make sure they don't let their level of performance drop after reaching their 54 points target Irvine set when he took over as manager in November as they cold still go down. However if they win against Barnsley tomorrow and Leicester lose to already relegated Colchester they will be mathematically safe and able to enjoy their remaining three games.

Irvine said: "I was just aware that if we could beat Barnsley then it going to make life extremely tough for them. So the target was to go out and win this particular game. But it would be great if we were mathematically safe after this game."



However Irvine will not be keeping his players informed of the scores of teams also trying to avoid relegation. He said: "We'll do our job and just concentrate on getting that done.
"we need to get the points that we need and then it's up to everyone else to try and do the same for their clubs"

He also will not risk upsetting the balance of his team by experimenting with new ideas for next season. Irvine said "We owe everybody a duty of putting out the strongest team that we can and trying to win our remaining games."

Irvine on Barnsley

Davydenko wins Miami Open

Nikolay Davydenko beat Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-2 in the final of the Miami Open. He broke Nadal twice in each set and dominated on both serve and return to wrap up the match in one hour thrity minutes.

The victory secures Davydenko's second Masters Series title in addition to the Paris Masters he won in 2006.

Davydenko said: "Second time to win Masters Series, it's like for me something important,

"My tennis was so good today. I think it's the best tennis of the hard-court season."

Annacone is new GB Coach

Peter Lundgren resigned to spend more time with his ill father. American Paul Annacone who is already the Tennis Lawn Associations Mens Head Coach will take over. He will be in charge for the crucial World Group play-off in September that will determine if they stay in the 16-team World Group.

GB Davis Cup Captain John Lloyd said: "Paul has been working closely with many of our top players in his role as head coach and his knowledge and experience will be vital as we prepare for the World Group play-off."

Countdown to Wimbledon

Wimbledon to stay on the Beeb

BBC Sport will continue it's long association with Wimbledon after it secured broadcast right's until 2014

BBC Director of Sport Roger Molsey said: "We are deeply proud of historic ties with Wimbledon, but this is focused on state-of-the-art digital services,"

"We're determined to make the event an even bigger part of our national sporting life through the use of new technology and working with the club to innovate across digital platforms,"

An example of the innovation is bringing Wimbledon to the BBC iPlayer. Extensive coverage of the event which was previously available to digital viewers via the red button will also now be available online.

Chief executive of the All England Club Ian Ritchie said: "Like the BBC, we are always looking to bring The Championships to a wider audience at the same time as improving the overall quality of the coverage.

"Through the latest digital technology Wimbledon fans can choose to stay in touch with all the drama and action in a way that suits them best.

Miami Open Preview

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Roger Federer is looking for his first title of 2008 and will be eager to get off the mark in Miami which he won in 2005 and retained the following year.

Rafael Nadal lost in the final of the Miami Open in 2005 to Roger Federer and the World No.2 will be eager to put things right this year.

Novak Djokovic, winner of the Australian Open, will be looking to retain the Miami Open and continue his brilliant year.

Nikolay Davydenko will be looking to go one better then his semi final at the Dubai Championships and add a second title to the one he won in Paris two years ago.

Andy Murray, after having a dissapointing 2008 so far he'll be looking to regain the form thats seen him beat World No.1 Roger Federer twice and win the Miami Open for the first time.

Does Murray have the better of Federer?

Andy Murray has know won two out of his last three meetings with world number one Roger Federer after beating him in the first round of the Dubai Championship.

Murray clearly has the Swiss superstar rattled and after the match he criticised the Scots playing style: "He's going to have to grind very hard for the next few years if he keeps playing this way." (BBC Sport)

Murray hit back saying: "You do different things against different players.

"My serve is clearly much better than it was two years ago. I feel quicker and stronger around the court. Mentally I feel like I'm better." (BBC Sport)

He feels his improved mental strength has come form some very unusual training methods. He's started doing Bikram Yoga, which is performed in a sauna, and Murray said "“It’s ugly. I started doing it in December. It’s helped me a lot with my fitness and mental strength.” (ATP Tennis Blog)

Some people believe Murray's win was not the massive shock it's been out to be when put in the context of recent month's. Federer hadn't played competitively since the Australian Open semi final and the ATP tennis blog said: "Federer has no match practise and that might have been the decisive factor. Murray on the other hand has won two titles in two months. You would be dissapointed to lose this match with that kind of record"



Perhaps then this wasn't a great shock, just a case of a player in the top 10, playing on top form and riding high on confidence beating someone who's rusty and looking to get back into his stride. However we're talking about Federer, one of the all time greats, and nothing should be taken away from the young Great Britain with a bright future.

Preston North End 2-0 Stoke

Allan Irvine continued North End's impressive revival with a victory over table topping stoke.
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Roger Federer profile

Roger Federer equalled the great Bjorn Borg’s record of 5 successive Wimbledon Finals after beating Rafael Nadal. He has now won twelve grand slam tiles and has been ranked the number one tennis player in the world since February 2004, a record for the Swiss national who’s total career prize money comes close to £20 million.

Federer said: “it was a huge occasion for me, huge pressure.” Borg presented him with the trophy, a special moment for Federer: “it made me a bit more proud of myself... it’s very nice to share a moment with a person like Bjorn.”

Having achieved so much in his career he could be forgiven for losing some of his focus but Federer claims there’s still plenty to keep him motivated: “I haven't won Paris, the Davis Cup, the Olympic Games, many other tournaments I'd like to win” He also has one eye on Pete Sampras’ record of seven Wimbledon titles: “Pete Sampras is maybe the greatest player we've ever had. I'd love to equal his record.”

“I've played so well the last few years you would always put me as the favourite here at Wimbledon. It was the same thing when Bjorn won his fourth or fifth. You would think he would also go on and win five more. It's not that easy, you know. Pete Sampras did it. That's why he is an awesome, incredible athlete, incredible talent. “


Standing in his way is Rafael Nadal who has risen to the standard that Federer has set and pushed him all the way in this years final. On Nadal and their rivalry Federer said: “he's playing phenomenal tennis... he came so close … he deserves a title here… he's not getting any worse. It was a tough match and I have the highest respect for him.”

“It's a good rivalry. We've been at the top for over a hundred weeks together. It is building up to maybe one of the great rivalries”

The final was one Federer will never forget: “it's my first Grand Slam final I win in five sets.

That obviously alone is going to get emotions out of you because you're drained towards the end, you know, mentally and physically. You fought your heart out, you know, the whole way. I knew that was a big occasion, maybe the biggest occasion of my life so far on a big stage. I was very happy to come through as the stronger.”

The pressure seemed to be getting to him at one stage when he had an altercation with the referee that was more reminiscent of John McEnroe then cool Swede Bjorn Borg. Federer said ”I was just frustrated because I got broken first up and then to be broken this way was for me was very irritating. Umpire told me, too, he saw the ball out. He couldn't believe it was in. For me it was kind of a shock. I was like, all of a sudden, anything you challenge now is just going to go against me. You feel like things are just not working out for you. So it took me a few games to kind of forget about it and I was ready for the fifth, thank God.”

Beaten finalist Rafael Nadal knows he still has work to do before he can be considered on a par with world number one Federer. Nadal said: “He served better than me, and that's important in every surface,”
“To be compared with Roger right now is not possible because he has 11 Grand Slams, and I have three. But I am young. I am improving every season and try to continue improving every day, practice with illusion.”

Nadal also feels Federer is capable of becoming the greatest tennis player of all time. He said: ”Well, the best player in history has 14 (Grand Slams, Pete Sampras). So he's very close. He's still playing unbelievable. If he wins 14 or 16 or 13 in my opinion, the tennis level will be the best in history.”

Roger Federer’s first Grand Slam win came in 2003 when he won Wimbledon after beating Mark Phillipouses in the final. He only lost one set in the tournament. It was a sign of things to come at Wimbledon in the years ahead.

2004 was when Federer became a dominant force in tennis. He won three out of the four Grand Slams, never lost to anyone inside the top ten and won every final he participated in.

In 2005 Federer became the first player in the Open era to win back to back Wimbledon and US Open titles. He reached the semi finals of the other two Grand Slams.

He achieved another treble of Grand Slams in 2006 when he once again won Wimbledon the US Open and the Australian Open. The only tournament he didn’t reach the final in that year was the Cincinnati Masters where he was knocked out in the second round by Andy Murray.

2007 was year of records for Federer. First he became
the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win a Grand Slam singles tournament without dropping a set when he won the Australian Open. He then ended Rafael Nadal’s record of 81 consecutive matches unbeaten on clay when he won the Hamburg Masters. At Wimbledon he equalled Borg’s record of five consecutive titles and became the first person ever to win three Grand Slams in a year three times.

So far in 2008 Federer has lost in the semi final of the Australian Open to eventual winner Novak Đoković in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(5). With Federer still feeling there’s plenty for him play for 2008 will surely be another record breaking year but with young stars like Nadal and Doković ever improving he will have to remain focus to stay at the top of his game.

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