Lee Holmes is confident that the momentum PNE have gained from their consecutive wins this week will stand them in good stead for the rest of pre-season.
The winger played the best part of half an hour in the Lilywhites’ 6-0 thrashing of local non-league side Bamber Bridge on Wednesday evening, just 24 hours after playing 65 minutes against Chorley, and the 26-year-old was happy with North End’s performance at Irongate.
“I think it was a really good run out for the boys,” he told PNE.Com after the match.
“It was great to hit the back of the net and for the team to be able to get a good result like that is pleasing.”
Meanwhile, Holmes now hopes the confidence PNE have built over the course of their recent victories can serve them well as they continue their preparations for the 2013/14 campaign.
“It is mainly about fitness and getting yourself into good shape for the new season but it’s always nice to win games and I think winning games brings a good momentum going into the next games,” he continued.
“Ultimately it’s to get some minutes in our legs and I think the lads’ application has shown us good.”
Holmes often drifted infield against Brig, tucking in behind striker Graham Cummins, and the winger admits he enjoys playing centrally as it allows his creative side to flourish.
“I like to be involved and getting on the ball and trying to make things happen so I try and look for it if I’m not getting the ball out wide and the manager’s said that we can get on the ball and float a little bit, when it’s on, and keep a good shape when we haven’t got the ball,” he said.
“As I say I like to be on the ball and trying to make things happen so I try to do that as much as I can.”
An impressive crowd of 1,405 were at Irongate for the friendly and Lee was full of praise for the supporters as well as the connection between both Preston and Bamber Bridge.
“I think it’s great for Bamber Bridge as a club and Preston that they have such a great relationship,” he said.
“Also, it’s good for the community, we don’t usually get to interact with the fans as much as we have today and it’s nice to have that atmosphere.”
Next up for PNE is a trip to Fleetwood Town, managed by Lilywhites legend Graham Alexander, and Holmes sees the match at Highbury as a chance to perfect some training ground tactics.
“First and foremost is about trying to get some good partnerships, good fitness and obviously we go into it trying to implicate the things we do on the training pitch with the manager and trying to get good performances and good results,” he said.
“It won’t be any different from tonight really we just try and step it up every game we play for the upcoming season.”
Then, on Tuesday 23rd July, North End host Lancashire neighbours Blackburn Rovers, in what will be the first game between the sides in 12 years, and a fixture Holmes believes will prepare the Lilywhites well for their cup tie against arch rivals Blackpool in the opening week of competitive play.
“We’ve got some great games coming up, and some important games, so we’ll be relishing that because it is a local derby and we’ll be going into that wanting to win the game like we want to win every game,” he added.
“The fans will be behind us and it gives us a good momentum and good understanding we’ve got coming up.
“With Blackpool, we obviously want to put one over on them and I’m sure everyone at the Club, supporters, players and staff, will want to do the same so we’ll be trying our hardest to do that.”