North End’s experienced midfielder Paul Gallagher believes the team can get on a positive run of results between the international breaks.
The No.12, who turned 34 last weekend, is looking forward to the spell of seven games in 22 days for the Lilywhites and believes that a good result against Reading this weekend could be a catalyst to a positive run.
“Sometimes you are pleased with the timing of an international break,” he told iFollow PNE to look ahead to the clash with Paul Clement’s Royals. “If you are on a run of winning games, you want to carry on playing, but we have had a few little niggles, so it allows us to rest and recuperate and work on a few things and the boys are raring to go now and are looking forward to getting out there.
“If you look through the division you will see teams that are in a false position – they have performed better than the points they have picked up – and vice versa – but it is just about believing in what we are doing, getting everyone together and giving it a big push.
“We have got a good block of games coming up to the next international break and if we can get a little run going, we are capable of going on runs where we go five or six unbeaten and we need to try and get back to that.”
The team have not been helped by a series of injuries and suspensions, but Gally says that this adversity is something the group at Deepdale thrive upon.
“The injuries and suspensions we have had really tests your togetherness,” he continued. “At the start of the season we had two strong 11s who were playing against each other in training, but all the clubs throughout the leagues will come unstuck with injuries and suspensions and it is about how you come out the other end.
“The manager has given us some ideas on the training pitch this week and we are looking forward to putting them into play this Saturday.
“Every player is looking forward to getting out there and trying to get a win against Reading.”
The visitors have also had a tough start to the season, but like PNE will think their performances have deserved more than the results they have so far achieved, but North End’s experienced middle man thinks this is league-wide phenomenon.
“They will be looking to bounce back as well, but it is about what we do. We are all still disappointed that we let the lead slip against Bolton, but we have to move on and we have some good games coming up where we can hopefully go and get the three points.
“Winning home games is vital; we want to try and get back to that as quickly as possible and away from home we want to try and get back to where we were last year.
“We have to take one game at a time and the next one is a big one against Reading. Their position in the league is not a reflection of how they have played, but we want to go out there and take the three points and it will be a good game,” he added.
To watch the full interview with Paul Gallagher and our other interviews in the build up to Saturday’s home game, just click on the video at the top of the page, and remember, all iFollow PNE interviews are available free of charge, without the need for subscription.