Southampton manager Russell Martin has shared his thoughts on Preston North End ahead of their match at Deepdale tonight. Preston North End, led by Ryan Lowe, are looking to turn their fortunes around in the Championship.
PNE is currently in a five-game winless streak, including a 1-1 draw with Millwall last Saturday. This is the second of two consecutive home games for North End, and Lowe is undoubtedly eager to secure three points tonight.
However, North End faces a tough challenge, as Southampton has only dropped two points in their last four matches. Despite their relegation from the Premier League, Southampton still boasts a squad with a significant amount of Premier League-quality players. So far this season, PNE has only played one of the relegated sides, resulting in a 3-0 loss to Leicester City.
Russell Martin, who made the move from Swansea City to Southampton over the summer, described PNE as a “very physical” team with good athleticism. He noted their strong organization in defense and a more direct playing style, emphasizing that it will be a tough challenge.
Martin mentioned, “They are a very physical team. They have good athleticism, they are really organized when they don’t have possession, and in possession, they move the ball forward quicker than Hull did. They are really proficient at what they do, which explains their position in the league.”
He also recognized that each Championship challenge is unique and that PNE’s success can be attributed to their continuity and consistency in their approach.
The match promises to be a tough one, but Martin is looking forward to it, especially after the weekend. He expects to provide opportunities to a couple of players who need to seize them.
Lowe may make some changes to the PNE lineup, with Liam Millar and Milutin Osmajic pushing for a spot. Duane Holmes and Will Keane, who had subpar performances against Millwall, might be moved to the bench. Additionally, Ched Evans is an option, having returned to fitness, and Alan Browne could return to the lineup after being on the bench in the previous match.
Lowe has several options at his disposal and will be working to find the right combination against a Southampton side that typically enjoys possession.
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