Former Preston North End striker Connor Wickham has played a big role in pushing Blackpool closer to relegation – and the sacking of Mick McCarthy.
PNE fans are feeling pretty good about things right now.
Friday’s 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers means North End have given themselves a real chance of pushing for a playoff place.
As if that isn’t enough, our bitter rivals Blackpool are going through a nightmare.
North End beat the Tangerines 3-1 at Deepdale last weekend and the mocking only seems to be ramping up now.
Blackpool were beaten 3-1 at home by Cardiff City – a direct rival in the fight for survival – on Friday.
The Bluebirds were 3-0 up by half-time having absolutely run riot at Bloomfield Road.
What will make PNE fans laugh even more is that a former North End striker played his role in that Cardiff win.
Connor Wickham spent the first half of last season at PNE having joined on a free transfer from Crystal Palace.
The move didn’t really work out as injury limited Wickham to just two appearances before Ryan Lowe allowed him to leave.
Wickham moved on to MK Dons and then Forest Green Rovers before returning to the Championship with Cardiff.
Wickham had a huge impact against Blackpool, scoring Cardiff’s first goal with a towering header at the back post.
The experienced striker was then able to set up Joe Ralls for number three, consigning Blackpool to defeat before the first half even ended.
Blackpool aren’t completely done yet, but seven points adrift of safety with six games to play leaves them with a mountain to climb.
The Tangerines have taken the decision to sack Mick McCarthy this weekend, a decision that has come all too late for many fans.
McCarthy was never going to recover from such a terrible display against PNE and fans were never going to change their minds on him.
Barring a big turnaround, there will be no PNE v Blackpool derby next season.