An Easter Monday showdown against The Lillywhites of Preston North End awaits us at the MKM and a 3pm kick off signifying the first of the last 3 games to try and grab the desperate points we need for maintaining our Championship lives.

Home games haven't exactly been a pleasant affair for an average of 21,500 Tigers fans this season who have witnessed just 4 wins to date, the best being the 4 - 1 victory over Cardiff all the way back in September 2024 when Belloumi bagged a his first goal and brace of the campaign.

Fast forward to now, we've gone from 12th place on that day to the 20th place we sit now on a precarious 45 points, just 2 points above the drop zone currently occupied by Plymouth on 40 points, Cardiff on 42 and Luton on 43. The only buffer between us is Derby, also on 43 points who we have yet to play.

Preston on 49 points are sat 3 places above us in 17th place and visit us on the back of a 2 - 1 defeat by QPR after taking the lead 1 - 0 on the stroke of half time but capitulated to 2 late goals by The Hoops including a sweet strike in the 94th minute to nail Preston's coffin lid shut making it 5 games without a win for the Lancashire lads.

We, on the same hand fair no better by a long chalk. 2 losses and a draw in the last 3 games is a worrying run of form but one we've become reluctantly used to after witnessing another lacklustre affair in Swansea on (Not so ) Good Friday as we wimped out 1 - 0 losers.

3 games ago we had all the controls in our own hands but now, we are heavily relying on other clubs to drop or pick up points as it suits us and thankfully, Friday went quite kindly with Luton losing, Preston losing and Plymouth losing. Derby who beat Luton, we have yet to play so that game is crucial.

Of course to avoid the mathematical gymnastics of relegation possibilities, we can do it the easy way and win all our remaining games. Easier said than done BUT It has been done before, earlier this season V Stoke, Cardiff and QPR but heavily relied on Belloumi, Miller and Bedia who have been injured or sold on since so the odds of that are huge. Monday needs a full change from the stale football we've been served up. The last two games have been just about identical in terms of line up and subs and both games have been woeful. Gelhardt has been played out of position on the right flank, then on 60 minutes Kamara comes on to replace him and Gelhardt is then moved to his correct position in the middle. Why not start both players in their preferred and most effective position from the start? Let's see some new faces as well.

There's more questions than answers at the moment and all are being asked by the faithful who once again will be turning up in our droves to keep the "Ull flag flying high with fingers crossed that The Pink Pandur can maintain his high level of net minding and has been superb of late. The only player who is earning his shirt over many others. There's no doubt Heckingbottom, Preston's manager will be looking to end their poor run while Selles will be looking for our 12th win in 44 games.

City fans may see a rather strange dress code for The Lillywhite fans on Monday as many may be wearing Bowler Hats. The reason being is that its the club’s annual Gentry Day, which is an important occasion where supporters take the opportunity to remember all those connected with their club who have sadly passed away. Preston will be without the injured Ledson, Potts, Woodman, McCann and Whatmough.

My starting 11 would be.

Pandur.

Coyle.
Hughes.
Jones.
Jacob.

Matazo.
Puerta.

Kamara.
Gelhardt.
Burstow.

Pedro.

Predicted score 0 - 0

Last 6 games V Preston LDWDDL

UTT