Club captain Callum Davidson has sounded a rallying cry to his team-mates and supporters ahead of the FA Cup third round clash with Aidy Boothroyd's Colchester United this Saturday.
The Scotland international told the Club's official website of his shock at the departure of manager Alan Irvine, but said that it was important the players focused on the task ahead and showed a united front with supporters to get a positive result and progress in the competition.
"That's football for you," the LilywhitesNo.3 said. "Sometimes people don't see that side of the game. What's happened isn't great, but I'm a Preston player, everyone else is a Preston player and it is our job to get on with it.
"Our attitude won't change from last week or the week before. It will be the same effort, attitude and application and it is a big massive game for us against Colchester. It is imperative for us that we put on a big performance and get a result against them.
"We will be desperate to get a result for the outgoing boss. It will be a tough game, because with Aidy Boothroyd in charge we know what sort of team we are going to be up against. It will be a really hard game and we will be doing our best.
"We want the fans behind us. People have voiced their opinions in the last 24 hours and I'm sure they'll say a few things on Saturday, but when the game starts we need support. We need everybody behind us. I have always said that and hopefully they will give us their support during the game on Saturday."
As captain Callum is a significant voice in the dressing room and he admits they already have a siege mentality and he will be continuing to rally the team ahead of the big game.
"I think we have had a siege mentality already, because we are a close squad. I think that is probably why we had our success last season. Sometimes you can moan about the size of the squad, but it has its benefits and it is a really good group of boys. We are fighting for each other and we will be doing as well as we can for Preston and I am hoping that that will continue. I think it will continue, whoever is in charge at the Club.
"Because I am slightly more experienced in situations like this - I have had a few managers in my time - I probably will have to make sure we stay focused. I have listened to a lot of captains, such as Matt Elliott and people like that, who have given advice like 'let's stick together' and I'll probably say that to the boys.
"There is a good bunch of lads here, so I don't really need to say a lot. They all know themselves that we have to stick together and I'll be putting the onus on making sure everyone is doing everything right, doing what we should be doing and take it from there.
"You look at the performances over the last two years and we have come back in a lot of games and that shows our spirit. I think that is something that we have got and something we have to keep. A lot of the boys are sad to see the manager go, but we have to make sure we are all focused and ready to go again, whatever our feeling are about the situation. We are Preston North End employees and we will be doing our best for the Club."
And with one of the highlights of the footballing calendar, FA Cup third round weekend, just three days away, for left-back wants it to be the start of a good run for him and the team in the competition.
"Everyone looks forward to this weekend. I always look forward to the FA Cup, it is something slightly different. It is a good time for us and it is probably a good time to play in the FA Cup after what has happened. I would love to go on a good cup run, it is something I haven't managed to do in my career, so it would be good to do that this year."
