Lee Holmes is hoping North End can replicate the momentum they have in League One in this year’s FA Cup, following the Lilywhites 6-0 win over Barnet.
Preston ran riot at Deepdale as Paul Gallagher grabbed a hat-trick, Joe Garner got two and Tom Clarke the other to send the Club into the second round of the prestigious knock-out competition.
“I think it’s all about momentum really, I think if we can take the momentum we’ve got in the league into the cup, we just want to win every game really,” Holmes told PNE.Com in an exclusive interview following the game.
“It’s just another game that we want to win and keep the momentum coming forward and that’s what the cup is there for.”
Holmes was also quick to praise goalscorer Gallagher in the aftermath of the victory and says the Leicester loanee has made a good start to life since his return to North End.
“He’s obviously started really well, he gives a lot to the team,” Holmes said.
“He’s always looking for the ball and he’s always getting in good positions to score goals.
“A great start for him and it’s good for us going forward.”
The 26-year-old also relished the chance to play against Champions League winner Edgar Davids.
The former Holland international was on the pitch for a total of 76 minutes at Deepdale and Holmes was almost lost for words when discussing the Barnet player-manager’s desire.
“It’s nice to play against someone like Edgar Davids, it’s unbelievable that at 40 he’s still got the energy and desire that he has,” he said.
“We just had a little bit of banter there with Garner that he still couldn’t get away from a 40-year-old.
“He’s had a wonderful career and to have the desire and passion he’s got is very good.”
A red card for Barnet top-scorer Keanu Marsh-Brown in the first half meant the visitors were forced to play the majority of the match with ten men.
Then, after the break, North End forward Stuart Beavon was also told to get an early bath by the referee.
“I think it probably took a bit of the edge off the game,” Holmes said of the dismissals.
“I think we had a job and we knew what we wanted to do and we got what we wanted to achieve by the end of the game.
“I think we knew what we wanted to do and I don’t think it stopped what we wanted to achieve by the end of the game.
“I think the two sendings off were soft and I think Bev’s very unlucky really to be seeing red.
“But the ref’s made the decision and, I’ve not seen it yet so I cant really comment, I just see what happens in the next few weeks.”
Late on in the second half, Holmes was taken off as a precaution after suffering a blow to the head. The winger insists he is fine, however.
“I just hit my head a little bit and fell awkwardly, everything’s fine now so we’re all good really,” he said.