Well look who is coming back

Ryan Thomas Lowe (born 18 September 1978) is an English professional football coach and former player, who is currently head coach of EFL League One side Wigan Athletic.

Lowe's playing career, as a striker, began at Burscough in 1999 and he became a Football League player with Shrewsbury Town the following year. He played for eight league clubs in all and had three spells at Bury and at Crewe Alexandra. In the second half of the 2010–11 season, Lowe established a Bury club record by scoring a goal in each of nine consecutive league games. Lowe ended his playing career at Bury who had signed him again in January 2017, this time as player-coach. He became caretaker-manager twice in 2017–18 after first Lee Clark and then Chris Lucketti were sacked. Lowe retired from playing in March 2018 during his second caretaker appointment.

In May 2018, despite their relegation to League Two, Bury offered Lowe the position of full-time manager on a two-year contract to the end of the 2019–20 season. After guiding the club to promotion back to League One, he left Bury on 5 June 2019 to take over at newly relegated Plymouth Argyle, managing them to an immediate return to League One before joining Preston North End in December 2021, staying with them until August 2024. He was appointed as Wigan's head coach in March 2025.



Attributed to Timmy 96

https://wiganathletic.com/

PIES FORM

Team News

Odel Offiah was withdrawn in the victory at Bristol City and is a doubt for Friday night’s fixture, whilst Robbie Brady and Andrija Vukčević remain sidelined with injuries.

Lewis Gibson moves ever closer to a return and could come into contention to feature in the cup clash against The Latics.

The Hosts

Wigan come into the tie on the back of an indifferent run of form which has seen them pick up four points from the four matches they’ve played since Christmas. Boxing Day defeat to Graham Alexander’s Bradford City was followed by a 2-0 win at Burton Albion before a 1-1 home draw against Barnsley and a narrow defeat on the road at league leaders, Cardiff City.

Ryan Lowe returns to Deepdale in the dugout for the first team since leaving North End by mutual consent following the first game of last season against Sheffield United and he’ll be looking to guide his team further away from the relegation zone and closer to the Play-Off places in a really tight and competitive Sky Bet League One.


Match Officials

Referee: Oliver Langford

Assistant Referees: Mark Stevens, Shaun Hudson

Fourth Official: Richard Eley

Oliver Langford will take charge of the clash at Deepdale and he last officiated a North End fixture in the dramatic 3-2 victory against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in November. He also took charge of the opening day draw at QPR.

The cup, many years ago third round day was a highlight of the season, all 32 games played with a three pm kick off, these days fixtures are played at varying times during the weekend, sides play less than full strength sides, shame really.
As for this be good to win against Fantastic

On a personal note 93rd consecutive game which equals my record, not an anorak really.