Ahead of the Lancashire Derby on Saturday, Preston North End’s Ryan Ledson has spoken about his previous experiences of games against Blackpool.
He’s yet to taste any action on the pitch but was able to see contrasting emotions in the two games last season. The defeat at Bloomfield Road was one of Frankie McAvoy’s last in charge. It’s hard to recover from such an abject display in a big game like that, especially when there hadn’t been much to shout about in that season anyway.
Ledson remained on the bench that day despite being an obvious player to have involved in a derby. We all know what his game is about now and Ryan would relish the opportunity to go into battle against The Tangerines.
By the time North End got their revenge in April thanks to Cameron Archer, Ledson was in the stands having undergone surgery on his knee. He was able to soak up the atmosphere on that special night and he understands how much this game means to everyone connected with the club.
After a good performance in the midweek win over Huddersfield Town ‘Rhino’ is expected to sit alongside Ben Whiteman again for the early kick-off on Saturday. Ledson is the closest thing we have to Ben Pearson since he left for Bournemouth and every team needs a player like that for a derby. One who doesn’t shy out of a 50-50 and can have a huge affect on the tempo and momentum of the game.
Ahead of the game Preston’s number 18 spoke to Lancs Live about the upcoming match and his memories of last season. As well as recalling a brick being thrown through the bus window at Bloomfield Road he also spoke about Brad Potts’ spell at Blackpool.
Pottsy scored 19 goals in 98 games for them between 2015 and 2017 helping them win the League Two play-offs in his last season at the club. He moved onto Barnsley before joining North End, a move that obviously didn’t go down too well with Blackpool fans.
Speaking about Potts’s return to Bloomfield Road on Saturday Ledson said “He is obviously going to get a bit of stick when he goes back, even though he did absolutely unbelievably for them.”
“He got them up and back on the road, so that sums them up really doesn’t it? He will get a bit of stick, but as you say he’s a big character and he’ll rise to the that. He gave them a bit (at Deepdale) didn’t he? And so he should. Why not? Those lot booing him after what he did for that club, I don’t get it, but it’s up to them.”
It would be great to see Potts and Ledson celebrate together after the final whistle on Saturday and I doubt either of them would be holding back.