[themaclad]

LAST TIME OUT



FORM GUIDE

BLACKPOOL 7 PNE 13

MANAGER

AGENT APPLETON



West Bromwich Albion
"Having had my playing career taken away from me prematurely, I am all the more determined now to make a success of my coaching career."

Michael Appleton[12]
After the knee injury, Appleton stayed with West Brom in a coaching capacity. He worked in the club's youth side for five years. He worked with different age groups before moving up to the senior squad as assistant manager. In June 2009, Appleton was appointed first-team coach. After the board sacked Roberto Di Matteo and placed him on gardening leave on 6 February 2011, Appleton was placed in temporary charge of first-team affairs.[13] In his only match in charge, West Brom drew 3–3 at home to West Ham, having been 3–0 up at half-time.[14]

Portsmouth
On 10 November 2011, Portsmouth unveiled Appleton as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract; his first official managerial role.[15] Appleton's first League game in charge was a 2–0 defeat against Watford.[16] Appleton made two new signings in Joe Mattock and George Thorne on loan from West Bromwich Albion.[17] He had previously worked with them when on the coaching staff at West Brom.[citation needed]

Appleton made his first permanent signing by bringing in Kelvin Etuhu on a free transfer after Etuhu spent eight months in jail for carrying out an assault outside a Manchester casino in February.[18] Following Portsmouth's fall into administration, Appleton insisted that he would not walk away from the club, vowing to "fight on until the end".[19] Portsmouth were relegated from the Championship at the end of the 2011–12 season.

Blackpool
On 7 November 2012, Appleton was appointed manager of Blackpool on a one-year rolling contract.[20] His first game in charge was on 10 November 2012, a 2–2 draw at home to Bolton Wanderers.[21] He earned his first win as Blackpool manager on 1 December 2012, beating Peterborough 4–1 away from home, extending his unbeaten start to five games.[22] He was in charge for a further six League games, of which he won one, drew three and lost two.

After his resignation, he became the shortest-serving Blackpool manager in their history, with just eleven Football League games under his belt.[citation needed]

Blackburn Rovers
On 10 January 2013, Appleton was given permission to speak to Blackburn Rovers, and it was announced a day later by Rovers that he had agreed to join the club as manager after 65 days in charge of Blackpool. Appleton said of his move across Lancashire to Blackburn: "I am delighted to be joining such a historic club. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I am excited about the challenge we have ahead of us."[23]

Appleton's first match in charge of Rovers was on 19 January 2013, a 2–1 defeat against Charlton Athletic at Ewood Park.[24] He earned his first victory on 26 January 2013, a 3–0 win against Derby County at Pride Park in the FA Cup fourth round.[25] A week later, he recorded his first league victory, a 2–0 win at home against Bristol City.[26] On 16 February 2013, Appleton's Blackburn team defeated Premier League team Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium;[27] however, the victory was followed by a run of eight games without a win, with Rovers losing an FA Cup quarter-final replay at home to Millwall.[3]

On 19 March 2013, after poor results in the Championship, Appleton was relieved of his duties as manager of Blackburn Rovers, having won four of his fifteen games in charge. A brief statement on the club website said: "Blackburn Rovers FC can confirm that Michael Appleton has been relieved of his duties as manager along with assistant manager Ashley Westwood, first-team coach Darren Moore and head of senior recruitment Luke Dowling."[28]

Appleton's tenure at Blackburn lasted 67 days, two days more than his time in the Blackpool hotseat. At his time of departure, Blackburn were eighteenth in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone, thirteen points adrift of the play-off places with only nine games to go.[28]

Oxford United
On 4 July 2014, Appleton became the new head coach of Oxford United, replacing Gary Waddock.[29] In his first season, Oxford finished in thirteenth place in League Two. The following season, however, they finished second with 86 points, achieving automatic promotion to League One,[30] and reached the final of the Football League Trophy at Wembley.[31] In his third season in charge, Oxford again reached the final of the EFL Trophy, but again finished runners-up.[32] They finished in eighth place in League One.[33]

Leicester City
On 20 June 2017, Appleton was confirmed as the new assistant to manager Craig Shakespeare at Premier League club Leicester City, signing a three-year contract.[34] After the dismissal of Shakespeare in October 2017, Appleton took over as caretaker manager[35] for two matches, both Leicester victories,[36] before the appointment of Claude Puel. On 30 June 2018, it was announced that Appleton had left his position at Leicester with immediate effect following a restructure of the coaching staff.[37]

Return to West Bromwich Albion
On 26 April 2019, Appleton agreed to act as first-team coach to West Bromwich Albion caretaker manager James Shan until the end of the 2018–19 season,[38] speculation having arisen in previous weeks that he could become the new manager of the West Midlands club.[39] The move saw Appleton return to the Baggies following an eight-year absence,[38] where he linked up with former associate Steven Reid, who was acting in the same role as Appleton.[40] On 5 August 2019, West Brom announced that Appleton had been appointed as the coach of their under-23 squad.[41]

Lincoln City
On 23 September 2019, Appleton returned to management, after being appointed at recently promoted League One club Lincoln City on a four-year deal.[42] He replaced Danny Cowley, who left to take over at struggling Championship club Huddersfield Town.[43] He signed a new four-year deal on 25 February 2021.[44] On 30 April 2022, following their victory over Crewe Alexandra on the final day of the season, it was announced that Appleton would be leaving his role as manager.[45]

Return to Blackpool
On 17 June 2022, Appleton was appointed head coach of Blackpool, his second stint at the club. He signed a contract until June 2026, succeeding Neil Critchley, who left two weeks earlier to become assistant to Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.[46]

CULTURE



Blackpool Tower is a tourist attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, which was opened to the public on 14 May 1894. When it opened, Blackpool Tower was the tallest man made structure in the British Empire.[1] Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it is 518 feet (158 metres) tall and is the 125th-tallest freestanding tower in the world.[2] Blackpool Tower is also the common name for the Tower Buildings, an entertainment complex in a red-brick three-storey block that comprises the tower, Tower Circus, the Tower Ballroom, and roof gardens, which was designated a Grade I listed building in 1973.[3]

[themaclad]

In The Dressing Room

In his pre-match interview, Ryan Lowe confirmed he would be able to choose from the same group of players who beat Huddersfield Town during the week.

Daniel Johnson and Liam Lindsay both missed that game with respective injuries, and are expected to miss out once again.

The manager also confirmed that striker Troy Parrott had surgery on his hamstring injury during the week, and he is on track to be ready for the return to action after the World Cup break.

A Look At Our Hosts

Managed by former PNE midfielder Michael Appleton, the Seasiders go into the weekend sat just above the bottom three.

They've struggled for consistency so far this season, yet to achieve back-to-back victories in the Championship, and their most recent result was a 3-1 defeat at home against Hull City on Wednesday night.

Blackpool were without a number of players in that game due to injuries and suspensions, but they'll at least have Marvin Ekpiteta and Dom Thompson returning to the fold following their one-game bans.

Going Head To Head


Games played: 96
PNE wins: 46
Draws: 19
Blackpool wins: 31
Last meeting: PNE 1-0 Blackpool, 5th April 2022

One To Watch


Forward Jerry Yates appears to have hit goalscoring form in recent weeks, having netted two braces in the past three matches.

The attacker has played both centrally and off the left in games of late, and even had to operate at right wing back in their victory over Watford a week and a half ago.

Yates also registered an assist for his side in last season’s meeting against North End at Bloomfield Road.

Match Officials


Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh will take charge of Saturday’s fixture.

Kavanagh last refereed a North End fixture back in November 2021, when PNE drew 1-1 at home to Fulham, with his last game prior to that dating back to 2017.

He has officiated seven games so far this season – one of which came in the Europa League – showing a total of 24 yellow cards. He will be assisted by Dan Cook and Daniel Robathan, with Samuel Barrott on fourth official duties.

NEWBIES

http://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=11286

https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/

MACS VIEW

Well it's that time again a meeting with our nearest and dearest at the other end of the M55, as derbies go this one is hard to figure, you have one side who to be fair to Pool do score goals against one thatis unable to shoot but has a defence which has been outstanding this season
They will have two back following suspension which should make them stronger.
Given the lack of goals we have scored does seem astonishing that we are five points from the top, are we going to bore them to death as we did on Tuesday.
Still not sure about Lowe let us hope we don't get a performance like we did last season, half twelve kick off als a ball ache but will be there

[themaclad]

Blackpool 4 Yates 2, Patino, CJ Hamilton Preston North End 2 Whiteman, Connolly og

Blackpool line-up: Maxwell; Connolly, Ekpiteta, Thorniley (Williams, 80), Husband (Thompson, 86); Bridcutt (Carey, 30), Patino, Dougall; Yates, Madine, Hamilton. Subs not used: Grimshaw, Wright, Corbeanu, Poveda.

PNE line-up: Woodman; Storey (Evans, 83), Lindsay, Cunningham (Diaby, 64); Potts, Whiteman, Ledson (Maguire, 76), Fernández; McCann (Browne, 83), Woodburn (Brady, 76); Riis. Subs not used: Cornell, Johnson.

Attendance: 13,632 (PNE fans: TBC).

Referee: Mr C Kavanagh.

The pivotal moment for me in a game which a neutral would have enjoyed, was Cunningham going off injured, Diaby came on and Lindsay moved to the left side of defence, from then on in we looked vulnerable at the back which the home side took advantage. To be fair couldn't fault Diaby for the goals
Until then we had been the better side but as per usual our inability to put the ball in the net cost us.
The usual friendly welcome from security getting into ground, searched as per usual, the joy of travelling away, great atmosphere for a dinner time kick off.
Started well, plenty of possession although saying that as per usual didn't force Maxwell into any meaningful saves, Riis looked a handful with the ball at his feet, Woodburn also looked decent. Little was seen of the home attack as our resolute defence kept them at bay although that was soon to change.
Potts effort saved fully at the second attempt by Maxwell, before the stopper and his defenced nearly ballsed up with Riis blocking a clearence for Maxwell which could have dropped anywhere.
Pool one up Madine heads to the backpost Yates in acres of space simple headed goal.
Did us a favour piled forward, Riis down the left, cuts into area, brought down, clear penalty, Whiteman down the centre, all square.
On the stroke of half time, Riis had the ball in the net, the whistle had gone but the finish by Riis who was stood next to the corner flag was outstanding, pity it didn't count

Second period on top, no efforts at goal was to cost us, again lots of the ball but no end product, then 20 minutes from the end we dealt clear the ball and it ended up with Patino who fired home from the edge of the box, might be harsh on Woodman thought he may have done better.
Never looked like clawing it back, ten from the end, Yates above the defender over Woodman 3-1.
Managed to get  charity goal in injury time Connolly apparently heading home via the post from Brady's free kick
As for the fourth the traditional keeper goes up for a corner and we lose the ball and Hamilton sweeps ball home from 30 yards with the keeper nowhere.
Homebound, got accused by a plod of not listening to him, then stood in some horse crap, annoyed to say the least, not sure about Lowe, our inability to actually put sides to the sword is coming back to haunt us

[themaclad]

Lacking quality in the final third, would never have guessed

Blackpool manager Michael Appleton told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I feel fantastic after that and why shouldn't we? It's been a tough few weeks. The atmosphere was incredible.

"We've shown we're capable of scoring goals and I think the players showed a lot of character.

"It's always crucial going ahead in games because it makes you a bit freer, which is difficult in a derby.

"I thought we looked really threatening and put them under pressure. After a difficult week, I'll enjoy this one."

Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"The scoreline doesn't [tell the whole story] and before they scored their second, it looking like only one team was going to create more chances.

"It definitely wasn't a 4-2 but our final third was lacking in quality. I said to the group you have to punish teams when you're on top and we couldn't do it.

"We're playing some good football and I think you can see that. We've just got to keep working to get better."

[themaclad]

[theo_luddite]

Many a trip to Blackpool over the years and not just for football. Most of the football one's were day (or evening) trippers with the occasional weekender in St. Anne's.

Stood on that terrace when there was a rusty lid on it, stood on it when the lid was removed and it was falling apart, as the Blackpool fans let us know by lobbing bits of their terrace at us so we could help repair the bits that were crumbling under our feet. Eventually the whole terrace disappeared and we were shuffled into a cattle pen under the rusty roof of the nearest stand in that photo that finishes middle right. I believe that is now their main stand after redevelopment.

The next and last time I went they'd redeveloped two sides of the ground (nearest and left in the photo), the terrace had long gone, in fact it was long gone for many years before that end was also developed, and away fans were stuck on some scaffolding that replaced the Whitbread advert stand. If it rained, as soon as you got through the turnstile you were ankle deep in mud. If you turned left you could enjoy the chip van or the overflowing portaloos whilst standing on a few flagstones that were only shoe sole deep in mud. If you turned right you could try and find your seat whilst wearing shoes/boots that were now 2 sizes bigger than they were when you got out of the car in the car park behind. They were two sizes bigger again by the time you went for a pee and came back again.

The best part about trips to Blackpool was the journey home. By the time you reached Preston you knew you'd escaped.

[themaclad]

The home fans are as hostile as they come apparently a bit hairy on Blackpool South Station afterwards.