[themaclad]

Might be important

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2639912



LAST TIME OUT



Neil Critchley

Critchley retired as a player aged 24 and became a coach at Crewe, working under Gradi and Steve Holland,[4] and being appointed joint Academy director in 2007, before joining Liverpool as under-18s coach in 2013.[5]

Liverpool
Due to fixture congestion of Liverpool's first team during the 2019–20 season, Critchley served as their stand-in manager for their EFL Cup away match against Aston Villa on 17 December 2019.[6] The congestion was caused by Liverpool's participation in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar, which overlapped with the EFL Cup quarter-finals.[7][8][9] Liverpool, fielding a team made up exclusively of under-23s, were beaten 5–0.[10][11] Critchley again served as Liverpool's stand-in manager for the FA Cup fourth round replay against Shrewsbury Town on 4 February 2020, as the first team were on a mid-season break.[12] The youthful Liverpool team won 1–0 via an own goal.[13]

Blackpool
On 2 March 2020, Critchley was appointed as head coach of Blackpool on a three-and-a-half-year contract.[14] After a curtailed regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Blackpool finished in 13th position after standings were amended to reflect a points-per-game ratio.[15]

In Critchley's first full season in charge, 2020–21, Blackpool finished third at the conclusion of the regular season, going on to win promotion via the EFL League One play-offs.[16]

On 19 November 2021, Critchley signed a four-year extension to his contract, keeping him at Bloomfield Road until 2026.[17] The following week, Critchley was named Manager of the Season at the annual North West Football Awards, beating Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, Blackpool's former captain and now Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt, and former Morecambe manager Derek Adams.[18]

Aston Villa (assistant)
On 2 June 2022, Critchley departed Blackpool after accepting the role of assistant head coach to Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.[19] He had told Blackpool's owner Simon Sadler that he was keen to work again with Gerrard and "pit himself against some of the best coaches in the world".[20]

On 21 October 2022, Critchley departed Aston Villa, following the sacking of Gerrard the day prior.[21]

Queens Park Rangers
On 11 December 2022, Critchley was appointed head coach of Championship club Queens Park Rangers on a three-and-a-half year deal.[22]


In The Dressing Room

With several players having missed last weekend’s victory over Blackburn Rovers through injury, Ryan Lowe is hopeful of at least one returning to the fold.

He confirmed in his pre-match press conference that one or two would be taking part in training on Thursday or Friday, and that their progress would be assessed ahead of the game.

Troy Parrott will definitely miss out, with the manager expecting to have the Irish forward back for the Huddersfield Town FA Cup game.

A Look At Our Visitors

It’s the start of a new era at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon, with head coach Neil Critchley set to take charge of the team for the first time since his appointment last weekend.

The former Blackpool and Liverpool U23 boss goes into Loftus Road following the departure of Michael Beale to Scottish side Rangers, and Critchley is tasked with getting the R’s back on track.

After an impressive start to the campaign, things haven’t gone as well in recent games, as they head into the weekend winless in six – with five of those matches ending in defeat.

Going Head To Head


Games played: 49
PNE wins: 19
Draws: 17
QPR wins: 13
Last meeting: PNE 2-1 QPR, 9th April 2022

One To Watch


Attacking midfielder Chris Willock is often a man QPR turn to for inspiration, and he regularly comes up with the goods.

Following an impressive 2021/22 campaign, which saw the Arsenal Academy graduate directly contribute to 18 goals, so far this season he’s been involved in seven.

With fellow attacking spark Ilias Chair still away with Morocco at the Qatar World Cup, skilful dribbler Willock could have a big part to play as he looks for his first goal since the start of October.

Match Officials


After officiating the last fixture at Deepdale – a defeat to Millwall – Oliver Langford is back in Lancashire this weekend.

It will be the third time this season which Langford has refereed a North End fixture, after taking charge of the Rotherham United and Millwall matches.

He has been the main official for 17 matches in total this season, showing 65 yellow cards and one red so far.


MACS VIEW

Like our last opponents the hapless plastics from Blackburn, Rangers play us fresh from a 3-0 to Burnley, so hopefully we will follow with another 4-1 victory
However they have the new manager syndrome which will probably give them a bit of lift after being demolished by the Dingles. Best keep an eye on the weather -7 tonight frost covers will be down so hopefully will get the go ahead for Saturday.
The last game before we start a run of playing Huddersfield at Deepdale.