Manager Simon Grayson is well aware that high-flying Shrewsbury Town will pose a significant test to the Lilywhites in Saturday’s FA Cup second round tie at Deepdale.
The PNE boss looked ahead to the clash with the Salop and admitted that both sides would be desperate to be in the third round draw come Monday evening.
“This is a round that everyone wants to get through because they know what is potentially around the corner,” he said.
“We have tough game against Shrewsbury – we have played them once already and it is a tough game. They are flying in League Two, so we are under no illusions that this is going to be a tough game for us.
“Everybody will be desperate to get through so they can be in that draw, with the hope that you can be drawn against a big hitter, because that is what it is all about. Everyone wants to get a massive attraction, but we have to make sure that we are in that hat first, because we are in for a very tough time.”
The game is only the Lilywhites’ second home game in ten games and he is delighted to be back at PR1: “We’ve been on travels, so it is nice to be at home,” he continued.
“It has been a tough period for the players, the staff, but most noticeably the supporters, who have been travelling up and down the country, having to take time off work, spending their money, so it is nice to get back to Deepdale.
“We suffered a defeat in the last home game, for the first time in the league in about 11 months, so we want to get back to winning ways very quickly. We are looking forward to it and we want to put on a performance and try and get through.”
Despite a hectic schedule and still fighting on three fronts, the gaffer also believes that a good cup run can dovetail perfectly with success in the league.
“We treat every game with the respect that it is due and try to win every game. I think that winning matches can breed confidence in the group. When we won against Bristol City we wanted another game very quickly, so it was good to have the JPT game and we progressed in that.
“We have taken every game seriously, because we want to have that winning mentality, but also because we want to win a trophy, whatever competition we are involved in.
“There is no getting away from the fact that the third round draw is the most exciting one of the season – it has everyone gripped – it’s a fantastic competition and hopefully we are in the draw,” he added.
“This is a round that everyone wants to get through because they know what is potentially around the corner,” he said.
“We have tough game against Shrewsbury – we have played them once already and it is a tough game. They are flying in League Two, so we are under no illusions that this is going to be a tough game for us.
“Everybody will be desperate to get through so they can be in that draw, with the hope that you can be drawn against a big hitter, because that is what it is all about. Everyone wants to get a massive attraction, but we have to make sure that we are in that hat first, because we are in for a very tough time.”
The game is only the Lilywhites’ second home game in ten games and he is delighted to be back at PR1: “We’ve been on travels, so it is nice to be at home,” he continued.
“It has been a tough period for the players, the staff, but most noticeably the supporters, who have been travelling up and down the country, having to take time off work, spending their money, so it is nice to get back to Deepdale.
“We suffered a defeat in the last home game, for the first time in the league in about 11 months, so we want to get back to winning ways very quickly. We are looking forward to it and we want to put on a performance and try and get through.”
Despite a hectic schedule and still fighting on three fronts, the gaffer also believes that a good cup run can dovetail perfectly with success in the league.
“We treat every game with the respect that it is due and try to win every game. I think that winning matches can breed confidence in the group. When we won against Bristol City we wanted another game very quickly, so it was good to have the JPT game and we progressed in that.
“We have taken every game seriously, because we want to have that winning mentality, but also because we want to win a trophy, whatever competition we are involved in.
“There is no getting away from the fact that the third round draw is the most exciting one of the season – it has everyone gripped – it’s a fantastic competition and hopefully we are in the draw,” he added.