Keith Keane insists that there is still more to come from Preston North End following an impressive start to the season by Simon Grayson’s troops.
The Lilywhites currently occupy fifth position in Sky Bet League One and remain unbeaten thru seven league fixtures, but Keane is adamant that the players have more to offer as the season progresses.
Speaking to PNE.Com, Keane said: “Apart from Walsall, I still don’t think we have played anywhere near as well as we are capable of.
“I think Stevenage, the first half wasn’t very good, played a lot better in the second half and managed to win comfortably, so it is positive for us in the fact that I don’t think we have played anywhere near what we are capable off and we have managed to come away with a few victories.
“I think the season has started very well, we started off being very solid and we knew the goals would come and I think in the last three games we have shown that we always believed we could score goals.
“Staying solid at the back has always been one of our main points and yeah we have had a really good start.”
In contrast to North End’s positive start to the 2013/14 season, new Sheffield United manager Davie Weir has had a tough start to life in football management, with the Blades misfiring at present, but Keane knows just how difficult it will be to end Preston’s 35 year spell of returning from Bramall Lane without maximum points this Saturday.
“On paper they have a very, very good team despite the start that they have had,” added PNE’s captain.
“I think it is only a matter of time before they put a team away and put them to the sword and we have just got to make sure that we turn up and do everything properly and we are not the ones they are putting to the sword.”
With the exception of long term absentee Jack King, the Lilywhites will head east on Saturday with a fit and healthy squad, meaning the battle for starting jersey’s continues, including between Keane and his squad roommate.
Keano continued: “The biggest pressure at the minute is knowing you have to play well to stay in the team.
“At the minute, I am playing in front of John Welsh and we are roommates!
“I never thought that would have happened, so, like I said, if I don’t keep playing well then John Welsh or Nicky Wroe are sitting there waiting to play.
“That puts pressure on you in itself, but it’s a good pressure and the fact that you need to be playing to your best to stay in the team.”
Leyton Orient aside, who have raced to the summit of the League One mountain, the early chasing pack and grouped tightly behind them and Keane knows that in this league, anyone can beat anyone if they are caught on an off day.
The PNE No.2 said “I think every team in this league thinks that if they turn up on the day and play to the best that they can, they are more than able, whoever they are playing, to get the three points.
“That is all we are thinking about at the minute is that we know that if we do turn up and play to our best, then we have a very, very good chance of staying unbeaten and maybe picking up the three points.
“You have got to look at the other teams like Wolves and Peterborough, Leyton Orient, who are absolutely flying at the moment.
“We are just concentrating on ourselves at the minute and if we keep turning up to each game and doing our jobs properly then we will be in and around it near the end of the season.”
He continued by saying: “If you don’t turn up in this league you are going to get turned over, despite what form they are in so we have just got to make sure that we are professional and make sure we turn up.”