Last weekend’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday resulted in only PNE’s second defeat in 11 games, but the manager is keen to get straight back on the horse!
The North End boss spoke ahead of the visit of Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers and is hoping the derby provides the perfect setting to return a three point performance at Deepdale.
“There are three points at stake and we want to get back to winning ways,” said the gaffer. “We didn’t play as well as we could do last weekend, but we could have still got something out of the game.
“It is now about getting three points, moving up the Championship and hopefully getting the bragging rights for the supporters that local derby matches create.”
Rovers have had a good few weeks, with Owen Doyle on the list of nominees for manager of the month for November and Simon, a former Blackburn player, is well aware of the threats in their squad.
“When you look at their season, they had a disappointing start, but have had a good last few games and Owen has been nominated for manager of the month, so it shows what a month they have had,” he continued.
“To go to Newcastle and put on their last away performance was a major coupon buster – no one outside of Blackburn’s dressing room would have expected that.
“We know what they have got. They have got some good players; some experienced players, who have played at the top level with Championship and Premier League football under their belts, so we know what to expect.
“We will analyse their strengths and weaknesses, like we do with all teams. We know we have to compete, but we also have to play our own game and not the occasion.
“They have some good options, but you go through any team in the Championship and they have good players, because they have earned the right to get there and it is such a competitive league.”
North End’s only home defeat in seven came in the controversial encounter with Newcastle United and the Lilywhites chief is hoping for more ‘fortress Deepdale’ is evident come Saturday evening.
“Our record at Deepdale has been good over the last couple of months.
“We had two disappointing results in terms of just drawing the last two, but in the Championship a draw takes a lot of doing, regardless who you are playing.
“We are on a good run, there will be a good atmosphere and so we need to put on a good performance, to get the three points.
“We have to earn the right to get them – just because it is on TV doesn’t make it more significant, you just have to do what is right for the team and do what is needed to get the three points for the team,” he added.
“There are three points at stake and we want to get back to winning ways,” said the gaffer. “We didn’t play as well as we could do last weekend, but we could have still got something out of the game.
“It is now about getting three points, moving up the Championship and hopefully getting the bragging rights for the supporters that local derby matches create.”
Rovers have had a good few weeks, with Owen Doyle on the list of nominees for manager of the month for November and Simon, a former Blackburn player, is well aware of the threats in their squad.
“When you look at their season, they had a disappointing start, but have had a good last few games and Owen has been nominated for manager of the month, so it shows what a month they have had,” he continued.
“To go to Newcastle and put on their last away performance was a major coupon buster – no one outside of Blackburn’s dressing room would have expected that.
“We know what they have got. They have got some good players; some experienced players, who have played at the top level with Championship and Premier League football under their belts, so we know what to expect.
“We will analyse their strengths and weaknesses, like we do with all teams. We know we have to compete, but we also have to play our own game and not the occasion.
“They have some good options, but you go through any team in the Championship and they have good players, because they have earned the right to get there and it is such a competitive league.”
North End’s only home defeat in seven came in the controversial encounter with Newcastle United and the Lilywhites chief is hoping for more ‘fortress Deepdale’ is evident come Saturday evening.
“Our record at Deepdale has been good over the last couple of months.
“We had two disappointing results in terms of just drawing the last two, but in the Championship a draw takes a lot of doing, regardless who you are playing.
“We are on a good run, there will be a good atmosphere and so we need to put on a good performance, to get the three points.
“We have to earn the right to get them – just because it is on TV doesn’t make it more significant, you just have to do what is right for the team and do what is needed to get the three points for the team,” he added.