Preston North End’s Jack King is fully aware of the threat posed by Oldham Athletic – one of the few sides to have beaten the Lilywhites this season.
King and his team-mates head to Boundary Park on Saturday for what is somewhat of a local derby this season and the No.22 is under no illusion about how difficult the task of returning with three points will be.
In an exclusive interview with PNE.Com, King said: “It is important to keep the momentum going, we obviously picked up four points in the week and we need to crack on and get another three this Saturday.
“They are a good side, probably a better side than their league position states.
“They are one of those sides that on their day, if they go a goal up or get their tails up, they can hurt you, they showed us that in the game that they beat us.
“But we also showed that when we got a goal up against them an our place, then we could go on and win the game, so nothing really changes for us, we go about it the same way we do in every game, but we need to be aware of their threats.
“They have got a young manager, a young team, and have got players that can express themselves.”
This campaign, North End have excelled on their travels, losing only twice on the road.
And King has become a key element of the gaffer’s often seen three-at-the-back formation in these games - a change up in formation that suits the utility man who has been laboured with a foot injury for the majority of the season.
But it is a position and results record he is enjoying.
He continued: “I would say our style of play probably suits being away slightly more, we are very difficult to break down and obviously there are goals in us.
“When the onus is on the other team at home, it probably plays into our hands a little bit and is probably why our results have been better.
“I enjoy playing as part of a back three, it probably suits me to have Bailey and Tom Clarke either side of me, it allows me to do the sweeping and a little bit more ball playing and the gaffer probably sees it that way.
“I have been playing more away from home than at home and I am just happy to play my part and carry on the push up the league.
“I think it is good to have that option of a ball playing central defender.
“The pitches are not great at this time of year so it is sometimes difficult, because you can’t play the football that you would like to play.
“All of the lads at the back are comfortable on it, but having played in midfield for quite a lot of my career and up front last year, I probably just have a little bit more composure and I like to think I bring that to the team and I can make a difference when I do play.
“My foot is ok, there is no real change to be honest, it is not really going to heal for the rest of the season so there is no real change, I am still doing my treatment on it, but I am taking full part in training.
“There are no real scares with it which is a good thing, so hopefully I can keep maintaining it for the rest of the season.”
The Lilywhites are expected to take around 3,000 fans to Greater Manchester on Saturday, a following that King is keen to send home happy come 5pm.
“They have been superb for us this season,” he added when asked about the supporters this season.
“The away support in particular has been fantastic, so it stands us in good stead if they are in good voice on Saturday and I’m sure we can send them away with a good result.”