Occupying That Home Dugout

Simon Grayson gets the chance to lead out Preston for the first time at Deepdale this weekend when Preston return home for the first time since his appointment.

A good atmosphere is something that he, as he told The Evening Post, is looking forward to hopefully getting: 'I'm looking forward to us playing at home for the first time since I took over.

'Hopefully there will be a good atmosphere and we can make it an intimidating place for the opposition.'

Grayson has been to Deepdale as a manager previously, and could have joined The Lilywhites on loan as a player had his then Blackburn manager Graeme Souness allowed this in 2000, which he didn't.

This refusal left Grayson disappointed but being with the home side, and not against them, will make a change. He added: 'It will make a nice change not to be the opposition manager at Deepdale, I've been here a few times in the past with other clubs.

'As a player, there was a chance of me coming here in 2000 when I was at Blackburn Rovers.

'David Moyes tried to sign me on loan but Graeme Souness wouldn't let me go which was disappointing.'

I've little doubt that Grayson, and his side, will get the reception and backing that he's called upon and he'll be hoping that he can guide his side to a positive result to reward them.

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