Callum Robinson has been looking back on what he has described as his best season at the club.
Robinson scored seven times and provided seven assists this season as he played both on the wing and as a central striker, playing in 41 games for PNE in the league.
Although those numbers may not better last season, North End’s no.37 sees an improvement in his performance and also those of his teammates.
Speaking to iFollowPNE, he said: “Personally I think it’s been the best season I’ve had. Maybe not stats-wise, last season I probably scored a few more goals, but it think for my games’ consistently, week in week out.
“The gaffer here has really upped my game and I still have plenty more that I can give. It’s been my best season so far and then the lads have been great this season.
“To see how far the boys have come, and the club, literally missing out by two points just shows how far we’ve come.
“The teams above us were big clubs that have spent a lot of money; it just proves how good we are.
“We need to be confident going into next season because we’ve proved to everyone that we can go to big grounds and perform here. I’m really happy with myself personally but the lads have been great as well.”
The forward's best season yet is not quite over either, as he was one of five PNE players called up to Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland squad for friendlies upcoming friendlies; alongside Alan Browne, Greg Cunningham, Daryl Horgan and Sean Maguire.
Although he was born in Northampton, Robinson qualifies for the Boys in Green through his grandmother. He will eligible to play in the first friendly of the trip, against Celtic, as that is not an official FIFA friendly, with his teammates available for the second two against France and the USA.
After declaring himself available for Ireland earlier in the season, Robinson is looking forward to the experience and playing alongside his friends in the international setup.
“I’m really happy. It’s another achievement, just being involved or just being asked to play for the country. Hopefully if I do get picked and I go over there I really enjoy it.
“There’s obviously some close friends of mine and some good players as well.
“It’d be really enjoyable if I do get picked but I’ve just got to wait and find out. If I do, I’ll enjoy it and hopefully express what I can do on the pitch.”
After the internationals will come a period of rest for the forward, but that will all be tailored towards coming back to pre-season in the best possible shape for the next campaign.
“You need some time and space to chill out and rest up. It’s a long season, especially in the Championship, there’s so many games.
“It’ll be nice to get a little bit of rest and a bit of sun but then the back end of that we need to be getting back so we are right for pre-season and we can kick on then for next season.
“All the boys will pick up our programmes and we will have to do it because we have to come back in good shape. You never want to be found out as a player when you come back for pre-season. I don’t like it, the pre-season, it’s not really my thing; but you’ve got to do it and get fit.”
With high targets set for next season by the players, Robinson believes there is something special happening at Deepdale. With a young and hungry team that has developed drastically over the last few years, the Premier League is the aim.
“We’re still at a good age but by the time next season comes we’ll all be getting a little older. We’ve played around 40 games this season that is going to help.
“There are a lot of players that are in their first year. When we looked around the squad I think the gaffer singled out me and Browney and was saying that we were the lads that have actually played a lot of games at this level.
“It’s crazy. I still look around and I still feel really young as a player. It just proves how young we are but we’re building.
“We’re building something special here and if we come back in good shape ready to go again next season we could do something.
“Especially the fans that come week in week out, that come to the away games as well, they’ve seen us grow.
“From when I’ve been here in League One, the team, the strength in depth, everything is all going in one direction. I can only see it getting bigger and us as lads, as players, I can only see us getting better.
“We’re all at the right age now, ready to kick on and try and get ourselves into that Premier League.”
You can watch the full interview with Callum Robinson by clicking on the video above.