Paul Heckingbottom has laid out his plan for Preston North End to secure a vital result in Saturday's televised Lancashire derby against Blackburn Rovers. The manager, speaking in a report published by Preston North End FC 13 hours ago, stressed the need for discipline and aggression against Tony Mowbray's side at Deepdale.
Preston enter the fixture rooted to the bottom of the Championship table with zero points from four games, having lost all four. Their form of four consecutive defeats is the worst in the division, and they have scored just three goals while conceding nine, leaving them with a -6 goal difference. They currently sit 10 points behind early leaders Swansea City.
What is Heckingbottom's tactical plan for the derby?
Heckingbottom identified the specific challenge posed by Blackburn's style under returning manager Tony Mowbray. Mowbray, who previously managed Rovers from 2017 to 2022 and won promotion from League One, is known for a particular brand of football. "Tony's teams have always played good football," Heckingbottom said. "There's a looseness to them in possession which can cause you problems if you don't play with discipline."
The Preston boss believes the key is to turn that style against Blackburn. He stated his side must focus on causing problems in forward areas and force Rovers to defend. This means imposing themselves both with and without the ball to make the visitors worry about Preston's chances. You can see how the team is shaping up for this task on our squad page.
How important is the Deepdale atmosphere?
The 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday will be broadcast live on television, but Heckingbottom is counting on a powerful home crowd. He referenced the brilliant and sustained reception the fans gave the team after their last performance at Deepdale, following the match against Bristol City. That support is something he expects to be replicated and amplified for a local derby.
"I'm expecting the atmosphere to be great and hopefully we get the result on Saturday," Heckingbottom said. The manager views the passionate home support as a potential catalyst to help lift his team from their difficult start. The full schedule of upcoming games, including this derby, is available on our fixtures list.
Where does this game fit in Preston's season?
This match represents a critical early opportunity for Preston to change the narrative of their campaign. Facing a Blackburn side sitting 13th in the table, a positive result could provide a massive morale boost. Every point is vital when you are at the foot of the standings, and a derby victory carries extra weight.
Heckingbottom's message is clear: his team must go out and perform. The focus is on executing their plan with the required discipline to nullify Blackburn's threats while being aggressive enough to create and take their own opportunities. The next fixture for Preston North End is this home derby against Blackburn Rovers on September 5th, 2026.
