PNE striker Stuart Beavon was in a confident mood following the announcement of the Club’s Capital One Cup fixture against Blackpool, claiming the Lilywhites are capable of beating Paul Ince’s side.
North End were drawn against the Seasiders in the competition for the first time in 27 years on Monday morning, with the match scheduled to take place in the week commencing Monday 5th August.
And Beavon is sure that if PNE go about the game in the same way they finished the 2012/13 season, they will have a good chance of victory.
“We finished the season on a high and finished the season going into every game thinking we were more than capable of winning,” he said.
“It’s going to be no different, we know we can beat anyone on our day.”
And while the 29-year-old denies the derby-day build up will have any bearing on the team’s preparations, Beavon admits the anticipation for such a mouth watering tie will be tangible.
“I don’t think you change your preparations but there is definitely an excitement for it but we’ve got to be focussed on the job and ready for it, like any other game,” he added.
“You want to play against the clubs in the league above because we want to be there and we are aiming to get there next season.”
Meanwhile, the former Wycombe Wanderers front man reflected on his debut season at Deepdale and revealed the frustration he feels at his nine goal haul.
“Last year I wasn’t happy with the amount of goals I scored and I want to build on that, definitely.
“But first and foremost, I think we’ve got a hell of a squad going into the new season and there’s a lot of competition in the team.”
And Beavon is certain that the fight for a first team place between the side’s current crop of wide men will prove fruitful for himself and the other forwards at the Club.
“We’ve got [Lee] Holmes, Will [Hayhurst], Jeff [Monakana] and obviously the more we can get balls into the box the better for the strikers.”
“Chris [Humphrey] is a good player and he’s going to come in and make us stronger.”