See Alan Irvine's thoughts in our video slot to the right...


Though the Preston v Blackpool fixture is a new experience to Alan Irvine, he is fully aware of the importance of this game in the context of the whole season. A veteran of the East Lancs derby and a keen follower of the Glasgow derby, the PNE boss shares his views with us ahead of the biggest game of the season so far...

You seem to have games coming at you right, left and centre, but what are your thoughts about Saturday's big derby clash?

"Here comes another one! They all come thick and fast, that's for sure, but this one is a particularly massive game. I'm fully aware of what this game means to the fans and to the Club. Derbies are extra special occasions, no doubt about it, and anyone who says it is only three points is wrong. On paper that might be true, but in reality it means more than that to both sets of supporters - a lot more!"

Saturday is a big game for the fans, but how much of a support have they been to you previously?

"Hopefully Tuesday's result was a reward for those who've stuck by us. We need that help, and they gave us plenty of it. Obviously, you then hope the players respond in the right way and give them the reward in return - I think they got that."

What sort of occasion are you expecting?

"Like any other derby game, it's bound to be tense. I'm expecting it to be very partisan, and the form book can go out of the window in derby games. You have to hope that passion, commitment and desire take over, and you hope the players play with their heads. I've only been at Preston for a couple of weeks - although it feels like a couple of months! Even so, I've already detected that there's a definite edge to this particular game, in spite of the fact that every game is crucial in our situation. I am fully aware of what it means to both clubs and how important these derby games are, because I grew up with the Celtic v Rangers fixtures up in Glasgow and I've played in Everton v Liverpool matches. I know how passionate things can get and I'm under no illusions that this is a big one."

It'll surely be a big confidence boost to go into the derby on the back of a win, but how much did you enjoy that first victory over Hull in midweek?

"I'm enjoying it now! At the time it was pretty tense and obviously even at 2-0 we thought a goal for Hull could change everything. Fortunately we got the third goal and I'm absolutely delighted. I'm delighted for the players, I'm delighted for the staff who've obviously been going through a really hard time, and I think it's a really good start for us to build on now."

Would you say it was a perfect PNE performance?

"No - there are a lot of things that we need to do better, but obviously it was another improvement and it was very important that we got the three points. I'm certainly delighted with how the players went about their jobs but we could do it with a little more quality at times."

You stuck with the same side as the game on Saturday and it seemed to bring its rewards.

"I said to the lads after the game at Wolves that I was really pleased with how they went about things. They did all the things I asked that day without actually winning the game. I felt, therefore, that I needed to stick with the same set of players, rather than changing things around. Unfortunately, Brett got injured early on and had to come off, but that gave Paul Gallagher the chance to come on and impress. Pat Agyemang was terrific. We asked him to play a role where he was right up on the shoulder of the last defender, and for the goal he timed his run to perfection after a great pass from Paul Gallagher - he went on to finish it superbly."

It seemed like inspired work when you brought on Lewis Neal and Neil Mellor to, given the impact of their arrival that brought the third goal.

"It was fantastic for them, but I'm not going to take the credit for it being a tactical masterstroke! Pat Agyemang and Simon Whaley had both run themselves into the ground, and I felt we needed to make the change there. The players have all been training really, really well, and I'm delighted that they can show what they can do by coming off the bench to make and score that goal."

Get down to Deepdale on Saturday to see the first home derby for eight years - tickets available now via MyPNE.com. If you can't make it in person, catch up with all the action via Whites World. The game is not being televised, so make sure you don't miss a kick with our full match coverage, which starts with our preview show at midday.