Paul Huntington is hoping to see North End’s fantastic away record continue when the Lilywhites head south to Crawley on Saturday.
Preston have won five straight on their travels, conceding only one goal in that time and despite what will be a difficult test against John Gregory’s men, Huntington is looking for he and his team-mates to continue their impressive run.
“Saturday will be another tough game,” said Huntington.
“They are a good side, but we will be looking to carry on the run we are on at the moment.
“I think our willingness to work hard for each other and the shape that we play, is a big reason why our away form is so good.
“Home and away we have been playing quite good, but we have just had better form away.
“I think the togetherness we have in the group is good and everyone works hard from the first minute of games, I wouldn’t really put it down to anything other than that.
“It is a different game playing away, you need to have a good shape about you, out of possession as well as when you are on the ball and I think that is something we have enjoyed and we relish.”
League positions alone would lead the neutral to believing that North End should return to Lancashire with three points come 5pm on Saturday, but in their only previous clashes, the Red Devils have won them both.
And the central defender is under no illusions about how difficult a match this will be.
He continued: “This is going to be a very tough test despite what the league positions say, they have got some very good players.
“You can look at form and previous seasons, but we have got to look at it in a way that we are going into the game confident and looking to carry on that run.”
After being a regular in the PNE lineup since manager Simon Grayson’s arrival, Huntington has recently found himself out of the starting XI, but he returned for the first time since the 6-0 drubbing of Barnet, in the second round of the FA Cup last weekend against Wycombe Wanderers.
And as competition for places hot’s up and the games come thick and fast over the festive period, the PNE No.4 is hoping to cement his place back in the defensive line.
“I think being left out happens to almost everyone throughout the season,” continued the former Newcastle United man.
“All you can do is get your head down and keep working hard and if the team is winning then that is great.
“It is very much about the team and it is a squad game and we have a very good squad.
“Various players have come in and out of the team and that is part and parcel of football.
“The training has always been good and it is sharp, which allows the players, the ones who haven’t been featuring, to come straight back in and that is only good for the squad and for the Club so that is great.”