Preston face West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday and Steve Bruce would be forgiven for fearing a certain sense a deja vu.
North End host the Baggies at Deepdale with Ryan Lowe’s men desperate for a win, even a goal.
West Brom come to town in pretty dire form themselves having won just once in the Championship this term.
That win came on the 20th of August and West Brom have now taken just one point in their last three games.
Home defeats to Birmingham City and Swansea City have piled the pressure on boss Steve Bruce, with many fans calling for his departure.
A poor result or performance against Preston could spell the end for Bruce and this will feel awfully familiar.
Almost four years ago to the day, Preston travelled to take on Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Bruce was heckled by his own fans and one even threw a cabbage at him as Villa fans attempted to spark a managerial change.
Villa took a 2-0 lead at half time only for Preston to come back to 3-2 up, with Yannick Bolasie securing a last-gasp point for Villa.
It could have been worse for Preston had Chris Maxwell not saved Glenn Whelan’s penalty in injury time.
It still wasn’t enough for Bruce to keep his job though as Villa pulled the trigger and gave him his marching orders after that Preston draw.
Here we are again then; it’s early October, Bruce is under pressure from fans and struggling for wins, facing a midweek clash with Preston.
Bruce will be fearing a repeat of that 2018 situation as defeat to Preston could spell the end of his Baggies tenure.
Whilst we wouldn’t wish for anyone to lose their job, Preston need points and goals quickly and if that means Bruce falls once again at the hands of North End then so be it; this game is simply huge for both managers.