Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is contemplating shaking up his side as they face the Lilywhites in their final home game of the 2017/18.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Alex Neil's men the Blades boss told the Sheffield Star: “That obligation we have to our supporters is to finish on a high. So there might be a few changes and surprises. We’ll see what happens. But I’m not ruling it out. No way.
“We’ve got to keep driving it forward, keep trying to raise the bar and improving everything that we do.
“If that means shaking things-up a bit, if that’s what we think is required, then so be it. That is what will happen.”
Speaking after his side's 2-1 loss to Birmingham City last week, the former United player and now manager felt the team's performance at St Andrews did not reach the levels he expected.
“Obviously we are looking very much at other people’s results now and it’s going to be a tough week for [the players]. I didn’t think our performance did the fans justice out there. Looking at other people’s results disappoints me because I think we should be in there," he continued.
"You’ll get a fired up performance in the next game. I’ll look into the players’ eyes and pick the right side to finish on a high because every time you pull on a red and white shirt, something is at stake.
“I’m disappointed for the supporters because they turned out in numbers. The dressing room was below them and, beforehand, we could hear the noise they were creating. It was a great lift and we got off to a great start. But we didn’t do enough. I won’t settle for second best.
“The damage wasn’t really done here. I want a consistent level of performance. Stranger things have happened but we have to rely on other results now and I don’t think we should be doing that.
"Hopefully we’ll have a really big crowd for Preston, because it should be."
And as mentioned, his side could well have a freshened up feel to it: "One or two have maybe got a bit comfy. Some on the outside maybe haven’t pushed hard enough and have gone a bit individual. I’ve been in the business long enough to not know what to do if that’s the case.
“I hope it’s not right. But I put it out there so it’s up to them to prove it’s not the case. If they are, you know what’s going to happen. I can’t build the sides I have in the past or going forward with that mentality. We work to a plan and you have to sacrifice yourself even if you aren’t playing to make sure the team works.
“My biggest thing now is that I have to be careful. Careful that I don’t get it wrong between someone who is tired or who thinks ‘I’ve made it as a Championship player'. Their fight was bigger than our fight. Maybe some of them, their race is run? There looked like there were some really tired bodies and minds out there. They’ve put in a lot of work lately. That’s a consolation I can take," he added.