The Southampton boss shares his verdict on Ryan Lowe’s PNE

PNE are back in action this evening, hosting Southampton as Ryan Lowe looks to get back on track..

North End have gone five games without a win following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Millwall..

This is North End’s second home doubles and Lowe will certainly be keen to get the three points tonight..

North End face a tough task as Southampton have dropped just two points in their last four outings..

The Saints still have a quality squad in the Premier League after being relegated from the Premier League..

PNE have only faced one of the relegated teams this season and ultimately lost 3-0 away to Leicester City..
Lowe will be hoping the situation improves this evening and his counterpart Russell Martin has now given his view on North End..
Martin, who left Swansea City for Southampton in the summer, told the Daily Echo that he thinks PNE are a “very physical” team..
Martin added that PNE have “good physicality” and are very organised, while eyeing a more direct style with a “tough challenge” expected..
“It’s a very physical team.. They are physical, they are really organized when they have the ball, when they have the ball they

move faster than Hull.. They are really good at what they do.. That’s why they’re where they are in the league,” Martin said..

“This will be a difficult challenge.. That’s the beauty of the Championship.. Every challenge is so different.. We will be prepared

for it.. We played against them a few times over the last coup

“It is a tough game for sure, but it is one that we can be excited about after the weekend.. It will be one where a couple of players get opportunities, and they need to take them,” he added..
North End started well against Millwall but couldn’t find a goal after going behind..
Lowe may want to make some changes tonight as Liam Millar and Milutin Osmajic will surely come le of years.. They have benefited from continuity and consistency in what they do..”knocking..
Duane Holmes and Will Keane didn’t have their best game against Millwall and could find themselves on the bench tonight..
Ched Evans is another option after returning to fitness while Alan Browne could return after being on the bench against Millwall..
Lowe has options at his disposal and will find the right formula to counter a Southampton side that could have seen plenty of the ball if Martin’s usual approach fails..

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Cast your minds back to January 2021.

This was one of the busiest PNE transfer windows in memory – especially for a January window.

North End overhauled the squad with eight new signings and eight departures during a COVID-impacted season.

PNE brought in two defenders; Sepp van den Berg came in on loan from Liverpool as part of the Ben Davies deal, becoming a firm fan favourite.

Liam Lindsay came in from Stoke City too, offering a left-footed option at the back following the Davies departure.

PNE did look at other options though – including Cedric Kipre.

As reported by Lancs Live, PNE had agreed a deal to take Kipre on loan for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

However, North End scrapped the move with Van den Berg and Lindsay arriving instead, leaving Kipre to head to Belgium with Charleroi.

The 26-year-old had barely featured for West Brom following a move from Wigan Athletic and it looked like he would be heading out of the club.

A loan move to Cardiff City last season didn’t really help the idea of Kipre saving his West Brom career but he may well be in action today.

The Ivorian centre back has started seven of West Brom’s eight games this season but was only on the bench against Millwall last week.

Kipre may be back in contention for a start today though with his physical abilities maybe seen as a way to cope with Milutin Osmajic.

Things could have been very different for Kipre; he could have become a loan favourite at PNE like Van den Berg or secure a permanent move like Lindsay.

That didn’t happen and with Kipre looking to nail down a regular starting spot, he will be desperate to shine against PNE today.