Paul Heckingbottom is looking forward to playing Blackburn Rovers in front of PNE’s travelling supporters.
North End’s squad has strengthened tremendously in recent times, with a number of players previously sidelined returning to fitness alongside a few extra additions in the winter transfer window.
The manager touched upon how important this will be for the Lilywhites during the final stages of this season, as well as providing an update on a couple of sidelined members of the team.
“We've got almost a fully fit squad in terms of people on the grass,” revealed Hecky. “Just Liam Lindsay missing, but Robbie and Pottsy have done everything this week, so they're getting closer and closer, fitter and fitter, which is good. It's just Dan, the last little bit for him to get over the line, so in that respect, preparation's been good.
“We saw the impact from the bench at the weekend; we've got a few weeks now where we do have tight turnovers in games. My intention is to use the bench regardless of the state of the game, with the squad, if new players, players coming back, know the roles and want to have an impact.
“Regardless of who starts, using that bench aggressively, winning or losing, hopefully we can keep the intensity of the performance.”
The hosts currently find themselves three points outside of the relegation zone but have won two of their previous three Championship matches.
With new boss Michael O’Neill in the dugout, North End’s manager is expecting a tough test at Ewood Park.
“Their last performance in terms of result was very, very good,” admitted Hecky.
“I know Michael pretty well; he's had some of his players in my squad. Blackburn have turned to someone with a hell of a lot of experience who won't be overawed or distracted with the position they're in; he'll really focus and channel their energy into what's important.
“The majority of games I've seen, I've always seen a dangerous side, I've always seen a side that plays with a lot of energy, and that's what I'm expecting from them tomorrow night.”
PNE will be backed by over 5,700 fans at Ewood Park on Friday, in what has proven to be a fiercely contested fixture in years gone by.
Hecky is hoping that his team will put on a good show in front of the travelling supporters and is looking forward to the occasion.
“We want to generate an atmosphere where our fans are noisy and they get behind our performance,” stated the manager.
“For me, it adds to a derby, a Friday night, big following, I think that always adds to the occasion of a derby. The more you can build the occasion, the better it is to be involved in.
“We're ready to go, big game for us, big derby game, people say it all the time, but it's true, forget league positions, forget form, Friday night, we've sold our allocation out, it'll be a big following.
“It’s a Friday night game on the TV so it'll be a good occasion, hopefully a good performance.”
A landmark for yours, providing I get there this is the 100th league and cup game on the trot, during the run,mucho crapo has been witnessed and of all places to hit the landmark is Ewood, it would have been more of an irony if it had been next Tuesday at Swansea but more about that in that thread.
North End’s squad has strengthened tremendously in recent times, with a number of players previously sidelined returning to fitness alongside a few extra additions in the winter transfer window.
The manager touched upon how important this will be for the Lilywhites during the final stages of this season, as well as providing an update on a couple of sidelined members of the team.
“We've got almost a fully fit squad in terms of people on the grass,” revealed Hecky. “Just Liam Lindsay missing, but Robbie and Pottsy have done everything this week, so they're getting closer and closer, fitter and fitter, which is good. It's just Dan, the last little bit for him to get over the line, so in that respect, preparation's been good.
“We saw the impact from the bench at the weekend; we've got a few weeks now where we do have tight turnovers in games. My intention is to use the bench regardless of the state of the game, with the squad, if new players, players coming back, know the roles and want to have an impact.
“Regardless of who starts, using that bench aggressively, winning or losing, hopefully we can keep the intensity of the performance.”
The hosts currently find themselves three points outside of the relegation zone but have won two of their previous three Championship matches.
With new boss Michael O’Neill in the dugout, North End’s manager is expecting a tough test at Ewood Park.
“Their last performance in terms of result was very, very good,” admitted Hecky.
“I know Michael pretty well; he's had some of his players in my squad. Blackburn have turned to someone with a hell of a lot of experience who won't be overawed or distracted with the position they're in; he'll really focus and channel their energy into what's important.
“The majority of games I've seen, I've always seen a dangerous side, I've always seen a side that plays with a lot of energy, and that's what I'm expecting from them tomorrow night.”
PNE will be backed by over 5,700 fans at Ewood Park on Friday, in what has proven to be a fiercely contested fixture in years gone by.
Hecky is hoping that his team will put on a good show in front of the travelling supporters and is looking forward to the occasion.
“We want to generate an atmosphere where our fans are noisy and they get behind our performance,” stated the manager.
“For me, it adds to a derby, a Friday night, big following, I think that always adds to the occasion of a derby. The more you can build the occasion, the better it is to be involved in.
“We're ready to go, big game for us, big derby game, people say it all the time, but it's true, forget league positions, forget form, Friday night, we've sold our allocation out, it'll be a big following.
“It’s a Friday night game on the TV so it'll be a good occasion, hopefully a good performance.”
A landmark for yours, providing I get there this is the 100th league and cup game on the trot, during the run,mucho crapo has been witnessed and of all places to hit the landmark is Ewood, it would have been more of an irony if it had been next Tuesday at Swansea but more about that in that thread.
Team News
Paul Heckingbottom has confirmed that the majority of players are partaking in training ahead of the trip to Blackburn, with Brad Potts and Robbie Brady joining in with all sessions.
Daniel Iversen and Liam Lindsay continue to work their way back to full fitness and will hope to make a return to action in the coming weeks.
Match Officials
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Assistant Referees: Andrew Fox and Mark Stevens
Fourth Official: James Linington
Anthony Backhouse will officiate the clash between North End and Rovers this weekend.
This will be the 17th Championship match he has taken charge of this term, alongside a couple of games in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?