Academy manager Nick Harrison stressed the importance of youth development, after PNE narrowly lost their first league match of the season.
Speaking after the 2-1 home defeat to Oldham, Harrison said: “We're disappointed because we wanted to start well, it's always nice to win your first league game, but I think above all we wanted a performance and I don't think we got that today.”
The Lilywhites went ahead early in the match through captain Josh Brownhill, but two first half goals from Oldham were enough for them to take the three points at Victory Park.
“We've got to work harder, they have to perform as individuals and as a group. Regardless of whether we win or lose, it is about development and it's a youth league, a youth team so we're looking for them to develop, but each game we just want them to perform,” added the Academy manager.
“It's not just about a first 11 and that group of players we stick with throughout the season. It is about development so we want to make sure we blood the young players coming through and utilise all the players we've got in the youth team and that'll happen whether we win, lose or draw.”
After playing the full 90 minutes in Saturday's match, Bradley Roscoe also spoke, and said: “It was a bit of a poor performance by us, but we'll be ready to go again next week and hopefully bounce back and get three points away at Walsall.”
Speaking of his own performance he added: “I think I did alright, I could have done a bit better - I didn't get a clean sheet and again hopefully that will be better next week.
“We now just want to get out there again at Walsall next week and hopefully get three points.”