North End were the only side to knock out a Premier League club as Marnick Vermijl’s early strike put pay to Quique Flores’ Watford at Deepdale.
After the game Lilyhwites boss Simon Grayson spoke to PNE Player and was very pleased with his side’s effort against the top flight outfit.
“We are very pleased with how we did tonight,” he said. “Regardless of the changes Watford made, they have some fantastic players and no matter who came into our team they knew they had to work hard, be disciplined, keep their shape and ultimately somewhere down the line we were going to get chances.
“The early goal gave us a good confidence boost and throughout the game we did well. We limited them to very few opportunities and we had some good opportunities ourselves to extend the lead, so we are very pleased we have put on a good performance against a very talented Watford outfit.
“It is not their priority this season, but we have still put on a good performance and picked up a result against a Premier League side.”
The decision to select Vermijl in a front three may have come as a surprise to many outside the coach’s room at Deepdale, but the manager made the decision with options limited to him and it proved a master-stroke.
“We know Marnick is an attacking full back and we were short of numbers, so we made a few changes because one or two were carrying knocks from the weekend, but the players were adaptable to what we did,” he added.
“Josh [Brownhill] is claiming it was a great ball, but it was more of a miss-hit shot, but they all count and Marnick took the opportunity well and it gave us a good early opportunity to build on.”
To watch the full interview click here now and remember that if you sign up to PNE Player before the transfer window closes next Monday at 6pm then you could win one of six home or away shirts.