‘Bigger and better?’ – Preston North End’s former Owl backs Sheffield Wednesday in the future
This weekend’s tie will see the former Owl visit his old club in a league game for the first time as a manager, his only other return coming in 2021 when his Plymouth Argyle side drew 0-0 at S6 in the FA Cup in front of just over 7,000 people.
He’s likely to get a good reception on Saturday afternoon given his role in earning promotion in 2011/12 in a short but sweet stay in Sheffield, and the 44-year-old says that it was a time he thoroughly enjoyed.
“It was a fantastic time,” he told Preston’s official website. “I had a great relationship with the fans, it’s a fantastic football club, and for now they certainly deserve to be in the Championship… Can they go on to bigger and better? I’m sure they can at one point because it’s a fantastic club.”
“But it’s not about me,” he insisted. “I’m going back there with my team to put on a show and get a result. I think the performance away from home at Bristol City was fantastic, especially in the second half, and then the performance last Saturday at home to Sunderland who are expected to be up there. They’re a good team, very intricate.
“We’re coming up against a different team now in Sheffield Wednesday who play a different way and a different style… I think every week you’re coming up against someone a little bit different.”
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Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe hopes to see coach Rob Kelly get better and says the club won’t be looking to replace him for the time being.
The Lilywhites added the experienced coach to their backroom team last month, following Paul Gallagher’s exit to Stoke City and the appointment of Peter Murphy. However, Kelly is now taking time out of the game due to ‘personal health issues which are preventing him continuing in his role’.
North End have put no timeframe on any potential return for Kelly – who was on PNE’s staff between 2007 and 2010 and has also worked for Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday during his long coaching career. Lowe was asked about Kelly’s situation in his latest pre-match press conference and simply wanted to wish him the best.
“What I will say about Rob is that he’s been a big figure in where I’ve got to today,” said Lowe. “We were at Bury together and I had six months of work with him. He’s still high in my regard, for what he’s done for me. I continue to speak to him every couple of days. I don’t want to say too much, because it’s a personal issue with Rob. We wish him all the best. He’s on the mend and who knows?
“But, as far as now, we’ve got a job to do with the team, the players and Rob understands that. He’s a top, top bloke and we just want to wish him well in getting well. We are fine with what we’ve got. We haven’t looked at that. And again, it’s more important than anything for Rob to get better himself. He will slowly but surely get there I’m sure.”
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