Preston North End get back to league affairs this weekend for the first time in 2010.
The Lilywhites may have a new-look management team but they will be hoping that it's the same again on the field as they look to recreate the form which saw them win 7-0 against Colchester United a fortnight ago.
2010 has been all about the battle against the weather so far. Last weekend's home tie against Doncaster Rovers was called off due to an icy pitch whilst the training grounds at Springfields have been under a thick carpet of snow. But North End have been fortunate to call in an early favour at Manchester United and have managed to train on the snow-free surfaces of Carrington training complex.
Preston boss Darren Ferguson still has the Play-Offs very much in his targets, he's quick to point out that PNE are eight points behind sixth-placed Swansea with a game in hand on the Welsh club.
Saturday's trip to Bristol City will be the Preston players' first opportunity to impress the new management and they will be keen to put down an early marker with next weekend's mouthwatering FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Chelsea on the horizon.
Bristol City v Preston North End
Coca-Cola Championship
Saturday 16th January 2010 3pm
Ashton Gate
Darren Ferguson's Team News
"It's a bit of a blow to lose Paul Parry, he's going to see the specialist and it could be four to six weeks but we will just have to see how it is and how he gets on with the physio.
"Trots [Neal Trotman] has done well in training. He's quick, he wants to defend, he's a proper defender. At times he's not been able to train with us because we have been on the artificial and it gives him a little bit of a problem with his knee, but he's done fine like the rest of them."
The Opposition
Gary Johnson's Bristol City lie just three points ahead of North End in 12th position and the incentive for the Lilywhites is that they know a win will leapfrog them over the West County club.
The Robins had a brief flirtation with the Play-Offs earlier in the season but they have won just one of their last eleven games and needed a last minute equaliser to avoid a home defeat in the FA Cup in the show at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night.
The key man for Bristol has been former Crewe striker Nicky Maynard. The 24-year-old hitman already has ten goals and has started the majority of games for Johnson's side this campaign.
Scottish international defender Jamie McAllister is another who has been a key figure for the Robins this year. The former Aberdeen and Hearts full-back has been involved in every game so far this season for Bristol.
The Manager
"You know all teams who will be up for it with a new manager. Often they get a free one for their first game and get a win - we've got to buck that trend.
"All the problems that some players may have had with a previous manager have gone and they will have a new lease of life.
"But we're still in a good position and if we can win our fair share of home games that we have got coming up then we can get ourselves back challenging.
"We've got lots of games coming up in quick succession and it's a vital time for us. It has the ability to shape our season."
Gary Johnson speaking on bcfc.co.uk
The Player
"It's their manager Darren Ferguson's first game in charge of the club, having taken over recently.
"During his time in charge of Peterborough, Ferguson got them playing some good, attractive football and helped them achieve back to back promotions.
"Whether he's been able to instill the same play into Preston's game in such a short space of time, we'll have to wait and see.
"Whatever the case, we still know they are a good side. We remember the opening day of the season, and the 2-2 draw up there having been leading 2-0 in the final stages. Hopefully we can get 2-0 up and hold on past when the fourth official's board is raised into the air."
Bristol captain Louis Carey speaking on bcfc.co.uk
Head-to-Head
PNE's all time record against Bristol City W25 D25 L24
PNE's all time league record against Bristol City W22 D23 L24
Last Meeting
Preston North End 2 Bristol City 2
(Parkin 82, Davidson 90 (p); Hartley 49 (p), Clarkson 58)
Saturday 8th August 2009
Coca-Cola Championship
Deepdale
PNEBetting.com Odds
Bristol City 6/5 Draw 9/4 Colchester 23/10
PNEBetting.com Selected Bet
Ross Wallace to score first in a 2-0 win - 110/1.
PNE Player
Matt Hardman will be joined by current first team player Barry Nicholson for a full match commentary of Saturday's match on PNE Player.
Any Other Business?
Darren Ferguson's first game as Peterborough manager was an away trip to Lincoln on 27th January 2007.
