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First Team News

Gaffer Pleased With Options Available

3 April 2017

First Team News

Gaffer Pleased With Options Available

3 April 2017

Manager Simon Grayson is pleased with the options at his disposal ahead of Tuesday's visit of Bristol City.

Daniel Johnson and Simon Makienok are back in contention after missing out for family reasons on Saturday, with Johnson becoming a father for the first time at the weekend. 
 
The gaffer showed the strength of his squad against Nottingham Forest on Saturday with a double change at half-time which saw Alex Baptiste and Callum Robinson make their mark in the second-half as PNE came back from behind. 
 
On the importance of the whole squad at this stage of the season particulary, the North End boss told PNE PlayerHD: "We've always said that we want players to effect the game when they come on and it's been a long season. 
 
"We are coming down to the last seven games of the season now and a lot of football has been played for a lot of our players. 
 
"You have to keep freshening it up every now and again to keep the mindset fresh and also the legs and the body because it has been a gruelling season for a lot of players. 
 
"Everybody comes into consideration for Tuesday night's game. Daniel Johnson is back into consideration after his girlfriend gave birth to a little baby girl and many congratulations to him. 
 
"We have got plenty of options, it's been a long season for some, it's been a longer season for people like Daryl and Andy Boyle who have been playing since the summer months as well so that's something we have to take into consideration. 
 
"Whichever team we put out, whatever system we play, we know what we are capable of doing. The system can be changed, we saw on Saturday, we went to a back three in the second half and played very well so there are options available to me. 
 
With seven games to play, there is still a lot to play for and the gaffer is encouraging everyone to pull together and embrace the final month of the season.
 
"I said it after the international break, that it was an eight game season and we wanted to embrace it and really look forward to it because there is a massive carrot still dangling away for us to try and achieve something. 
 
"While we have still got that in front of us then let's embrace it, let's enjoy it.
 
"I think everybody can see what it means to people. We were a little bit disappointed on Saturday when you don't win a game but not winning at home is not something we have been used to over the last few months.
 
"So let's really try and get back on the front foot, try and get three points then it becomes six games left and see where that takes us." 
 

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