Blackpool boss Ian Evatt makes Preston North End point to ex-Leeds United man after FA Cup victory
The FA Cup third round draw takes place on Monday night
Blackpool boss Ian Evatt would welcome a trip to Preston North End in the FA Cup.
The Seasiders, who sit 22nd in League One, booked their place in the third round of the competition on Sunday. Evatt’s side saw off Carlisle United, 4-1, at Bloomfield Road. It was a potential banana skin for Blackpool with Mark Hughes’ men having knocked Reading out in the previous round.
Now, attention turns to Monday night’s draw, which will take place at approximately 18:40 - ahead of Brackley Town’s tie with Burton Albion. Evatt has overseen mixed results since taking on the job, in late October, at his former club. As far as the FA Cup is concerned, a derby at Deepdale is something he’d like to see come out the hat.
When asked by ex-PNE striker Jermaine Beckford, on TNT Sports, his preference for the next stage, Evatt said: “What you don’t want is an inbetweener (of a big club and lower league team). What we’d like is an opportunity to progress, not taking anything for granted.
“But, if not, a huge away tie would be great, just to give the fans a big day out. Obviously, it is lucrative for this football club. Or, a derby maybe, like Preston away. Something like that would be nice.”
Evatt’s history with PNE
The ex-defender made more than 250 appearances for Blackpool during his playing days. It was while at Chesterfield, though, that the centre-back hit the headlines after a visit to Deepdale.
During the League One play-off semi-final second leg, in 2015, Evatt said he was ‘punched, kicked and spat on’ during the home faithful’s pitch invasion. He labelled it an ‘absolute disgrace’.