[themaclad]

Preston North End v Blackburn Rovers
Deepdale 17/2/2024 15.00hrs

The lot from the East of the County arrive for the first time in about 4 years for a non televised match

Last time out





FORM GUIDE

PNE 13 ROVERS 4

Not be a cakewalk this, been in flux in recent weeks now with new decent manager

WHO IS IN FORM



MANAGER



Following his retirement as a player, Eustace moved into coaching. On 21 April 2016, he was named manager of National League side Kidderminster Harriers on a one-year contract for the 2016–17 season.[38] While at the club, Eustace transformed the side's style of play,[39] with the Harriers being dubbed the "non-league Barcelona".[40] Eustace led his side to the play-offs in two seasons, as well as the First Round Proper of the FA Cup.[39]

He left the club on 25 May 2018 to join former manager Steve McClaren at Queens Park Rangers as assistant manager.[41] At QPR, he had a brief spell as caretaker manager in 2019,[42] helping the club avoid relegation from the Championship with 7 points from his 7 games in charge.[37] Following Mark Warburton's arrival as manager in May 2019, Eustace remained as his assistant and began studying for his UEFA Pro Licence.[37][43] In March 2022 he was named as Assistant Manager of the Republic of Ireland team under manager Stephen Kenny, while he would also continue his existing role at QPR.[44] Eustace, along with Matt Gardiner, left his role at QPR in June 2022 following the appointment of new manager Michael Beale.[45]

Birmingham City
Eustace succeeded Lee Bowyer as head coach of Championship club Birmingham City on 3 July 2022. His first managerial role in the football league, he signed a three-year contract.[46] Eustace's first competitive game in charge was a 0–0 draw away to Luton Town. Eustace gained his first victory as Birmingham manager in the following match day, beating Huddersfield Town at home on 5 August 2022. Eustace was able to guide the club to its highest points tally since 2016, successfully avoiding relegation.[47]

On 9 October 2023, Eustace was sacked by Birmingham City. The club cited the importance of the board of directors and management being fully aligned on the culture of the football club as the reason behind the decision, despite an impressive start to the season with the club in sixth position with eighteen points from eleven matches.[48] Following Eustace's dismissal, the club fell to 20th by the end of 2023, with the replacement manager, Wayne Rooney, being sacked after just fifteen matches.[49]

Blackburn Rovers
On 9 February 2024, Eustace was appointed head coach of Championship club Blackburn Rovers on a two-and-a-half year deal.[50]

https://www.rovers.co.uk/

https://www.brfcs.com/forums/topic/36858...-17022024/

Astonishingly some of their fans can actually string a sentence together


Who’s Available?

Ryan Lowe will provide an update on team news in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

Speaking after Wednesday night’s victory over Middlesbrough, the manager revealed Brad Potts will miss the next few weeks with a hamstring injury.

Andrew Hughes may also be absent after jarring his knee in the same fixture, while Ben Whiteman and Liam Lindsay will need to be assessed after seemingly picking up knocks.

Opposition Focus

There’s been a change-up at Rovers in recent weeks with their captain and manager vacating, and they’re now under the guidance of head coach John Eustace – formerly of Birmingham City.

Eustace took his new side to his ex-employers during the week and it wasn’t a happy return as Blues came out on top, and the new boss has called for patience in the early days of his tenure.

Rovers, who sit 16th, have been hindered this season by their 57 goals conceded – the second-worst record in the league – however, Sammie Szmodics’ 17 strikes in the Championship have gone some way to evening that out.


Match Officials

Referee: David Webb
Assistant Referees: Rob Smith and Nigel Lugg
Fourth Official: Peter Wright

David Webb will referee’s Saturday’s derby in what will be his fourth PNE match of the season, with the most recent of those being the late defeat at Elland Road.

Webb has history when it comes to Lancashire derbies, having overseen a 2-1 victory at Ewood Park in February 2021, and North End’s 1-0 win over Blackpool in April 2022.

So far this season, Webb has taken charge of 23 matches, showing 97 yellow cards and one red.

He was shite at Leeds he'll be shite again tomorrow

MACS VIEW

This depends on who is fit for us, Potts is a big loss playing Millar on the right doesn't work, time for Seary? Whiteman and Lindsay both went off on Wednesday possibly down to te sapping conditions. As for them suspect they will be better than recent form suggests, no easy game this