Preston defender Billy Jones is feeling very positive with the tempo that North End has been starting their recent games at.
In three of the last four games, the Lilywhites have raced into the lead and Jones believes that emerging so quickly from the blocks is currently stifling teams.
Speaking to pne.com following North End's 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, Jones said:
"I feel happy with the starts that we have been making, at the start of the season we were struggling to start at that tempo and then we would raise it in the second half, but now it is the opposite.
"I think that it must be a massive shock for teams when we start at that tempo and I think that if we play the full 90 like that then we could beat anyone in the league."
Despite this positive start, the full back is desperate for the Lilywhites to replicate their explosive first half form in the second half of games.
"Five games unbeaten sounds good but we know that we have dropped points in some of those games, so we are disappointed at that.
"If we didn't, I don't know where that would have put us in the league but I'm sure that we would be looking towards the Play-Offs.
"I don't know if we still have a chance or not because I don't know the other results, all I know is that we have got two massive away games and if we want to be up there, then we need to be beating or putting in top performances against these sides."
One man who impressed Jones was midfielder Paul Coutts who scored his first goal in the league. Jones thinks that this will be another string to North End's bow if Coutts continues to fire in the goals.
"Couttsy likes to get on the ball and I think that he doesn't ever shy away from that. He always wants the ball which is what you want a midfielder to do. With him scoring his goal, I'm sure he'll go on now and get some more.
"To be an all-round midfielder you need to get goals as well, for the goal he scored tonight, he had a long run to get in there and he finished it off really well."
There is plenty of healthy competition in the squad at the moment with Jones being pushed at right back by Michael Hart. This just emphasises to Jones the strength and depth which Preston currently have in the squad and this is another huge positive for the Lilywhites.
"There is competition all over the park; we have got a very strong squad which is what you want if you want to be towards the top of the table.
"If I got injured or lost my place to Harty, you know that Harty is a good player and would come in and do well. Every starting player knows that every player that is pushing them is good Championship players so I think that shows our strength in depth."
