Nicky Wroe is looking forward to Oldham Athletic’s second visit to Deepdale in a month as the Lilywhites look to put the weekend behind them.
North End return to cup action on Tuesday in the second round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and the midfielder wants to right a wrong from Saturday which saw Preston suffer their first league defeat of the season.
Speaking exclusively to PNE.Com, Wroe said: “I’m looking forward to the Oldham game; we have already had a tough game against them so we can’t underestimate them and it will be a chance for us to bounce back from a disappointing game on Saturday.
“They proved difficult on the Monday night live on the TV and we will be going into the game knowing that we will need to play our best to get a result.
“We just take every game as it comes, but we will be a little more aware having played them recently of what they are all about and we will try and combat their strengths.”
The JPT gives Sky Bet League One and Two clubs a realistic chance of a trip to Wembley and the PNE No.8 is fully aware of how infrequent that opportunity can arise, but with the Club having reached the Northern Area semi-final on back-to-back occasions, he and the rest of the squad, will be hoping it’s third time lucky this time around.
“The league is the priority, but it is a competition that if you do progress in it, then there is a chance of getting to Wembley and that chance doesn’t come around too much,” added Wroe.
“It is a chance for the gaffer to use the squad as well and maybe give a few people a run out who haven’t played recently.
“It is a chance for us to win another game and progress in the cup and that is what everybody will be looking to do.”
After a disappointing first half at London Road against Peterborough United, Wroe and fellow central midfielder John Welsh helped turn the tide in the second half and the former Shrewsbury Town man is hoping that he has done enough to force his way into Simon Grayson’s thoughts for tomorrow.
Wroe continued: “It is disappointing that me and John Welsh had to come on in that situation, but we looked to try and influence the game and I think we did pick it up.
“We just couldn’t quite get that goal that could have kicked us on and maybe get an equalise if we had got that first one, so it was a bit disappointing in that way, but it was good to get a few minutes under my belt.
“It would be nice to get a little bit more time than I have been getting recently, so hopefully I did enough on Saturday to impress the manager and hopefully I will be in his thoughts for tomorrow night and come the weekend.
“It is all about competition for places and I think that is healthy for a squad.
“There is good competition in this squad and I think the lads who get the opportunity tomorrow will be looking to impress and get in the managers thoughts for the weekend.”