PNE.Com catch up with new recruit Paul Connolly ahead of this weekend's game against Coventry
“I’d love for my first team debut to contribute to Preston’s first win of 2013,” said Connolly. “It would get the fans back onside and help all of us move in the right direction.
With Preston yet to win this calendar year, Connolly is desperate for the Lilywhites to change the record, admitting he would love nothing more than contributing to a late North End push for promotion.
“Hopefully I can bring some experience into the defence and we start getting some positive results.”
He revealed: “I watched the cup game against Coventry on the tele and there was nothing in it. Preston probably deserved it. It was just fine lines between two good teams so hopefully we can come out on top this time and win the battle.
As Preston prepare to take on Coventry City for the third time in little over a month, Connolly knows how desperate the Deepdale crowd are for a win as the Lilywhites look to avenge their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy exit from earlier this month.
“I’ve really settled in well with the lads here, they are very easy to settle in with. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and feel like I’ve been here longer than I have, which is a compliment to the lads.”
“On the plus side it’s been good to get the extra week’s training with the lads. We’ve had some good team bonding and I’ve settled in well. I’ve enjoyed it so far and it’s given me the chance to get to know everyone.”
While frustrated that he has had to wait so long to make his first appearance for the Club, Connolly admitted the delay had done some good as well, giving him the chance to make his presence firmly felt amongst the dressing room.
“I was a bit disappointed but I’ve had a good week’s training so hopefully it won’t be off this time and I can look forward to making my debut.”
“I was really looking forward to last Saturday but then we got the call that it was off on Friday.
“I’m looking forward to playing in front of the Deepdale crowd as a Preston player,” the 29-year-old confessed. “I’ve played here many times for away sides and I can’t wait to come out here as a home player. I’m looking forward to it very much.
And in an exclusive chat with PNE.com ahead of Saturday’s match against Coventry City, Connolly expressed his excitement at the prospect of making his first appearance for Preston at Deepdale, against the Sky Blues.
The right-back joined North End from Leeds United, on a loan deal until the end of the season, earlier this month, with Connolly’s prolonged wait to make his debut creating a sense of intrigue among PNE supporters surrounding the latest player to sign up to be part of the Graham Westley revolution.
Having missed out on making his debut for the Lilywhites last weekend after Preston’s trip to Yeovil Town fell foul to the winter freeze, new signing Paul Connolly is eager to make up for lost time as he prepares to make his maiden appearance in the famous white jersey.
“Hopefully we can have a little push for promotion because there would be nothing worse than the season filtering out into nothing.”