Manager Simon Grayson is expecting some extra derby spice for this weekend’s first ever visit of Fleetwood Town to Deepdale.
Speaking ahead of the visit of the Cod Army the Lilywhites chief said he was looking forward to welcoming the League One newcomers, but was also focused on continuing the recent run of results.
“The last few years have been fantastic for them,” said the gaffer. “I know Andy Pilley really well. He has put his money where his mouth is; has done the stadium, got the team through the divisions and he wants to keep progressing.
“When I was at Blackpool the reserves used to play there, which is how I got to know him and it is a story that is unbelievable and fantastic at the same time.
“But all of that, including winning at Wembley and getting promotion, is in the past for them now. They will be looking at what they can do in the future and the owner will be looking to get into the Championship.
“They recruited well over the summer with players who have had League One and Championship experience, so we know what it is going to be like.
“They have a good manager, who knows what the game is about and we will have to be really at it to go and win the game again.”
With Graham Alexander returning to Deepdale for the first time as a manager, Simon is expecting a good response for the visiting boss: “It is never easy when you get your first job; people want immediate success, but he has gone and done that with promotion last season,” he continued.
“They play a good brand of football, that is pleasing on the eye, so he has done a great job.
“He is a proper football person, as his career tells you. He just loves football and hopefully on Saturday he gets the applause before the game and after the game, but we get the three points!”
The visitors have started the season well and only sit six points behind the Lilywhites and therefore the manager knows a good performance is again needed in order to keep the run going.
“They will raise their game everywhere they go. They did ever so well at Milton Keynes Dons the other night and were unfortunate not to get anything out of the game.
“It is a local derby and there is extra spice, but we need to concentrate on what we need to do to get the three points.
“We have a fantastic record at Deepdale, no matter who has been here, and we want to make sure that come five o’clock on Saturday that that record is still intact,” he added.
“The last few years have been fantastic for them,” said the gaffer. “I know Andy Pilley really well. He has put his money where his mouth is; has done the stadium, got the team through the divisions and he wants to keep progressing.
“When I was at Blackpool the reserves used to play there, which is how I got to know him and it is a story that is unbelievable and fantastic at the same time.
“But all of that, including winning at Wembley and getting promotion, is in the past for them now. They will be looking at what they can do in the future and the owner will be looking to get into the Championship.
“They recruited well over the summer with players who have had League One and Championship experience, so we know what it is going to be like.
“They have a good manager, who knows what the game is about and we will have to be really at it to go and win the game again.”
With Graham Alexander returning to Deepdale for the first time as a manager, Simon is expecting a good response for the visiting boss: “It is never easy when you get your first job; people want immediate success, but he has gone and done that with promotion last season,” he continued.
“They play a good brand of football, that is pleasing on the eye, so he has done a great job.
“He is a proper football person, as his career tells you. He just loves football and hopefully on Saturday he gets the applause before the game and after the game, but we get the three points!”
The visitors have started the season well and only sit six points behind the Lilywhites and therefore the manager knows a good performance is again needed in order to keep the run going.
“They will raise their game everywhere they go. They did ever so well at Milton Keynes Dons the other night and were unfortunate not to get anything out of the game.
“It is a local derby and there is extra spice, but we need to concentrate on what we need to do to get the three points.
“We have a fantastic record at Deepdale, no matter who has been here, and we want to make sure that come five o’clock on Saturday that that record is still intact,” he added.