It has been a fantastic few weeks for Preston North End striker Jayden Stockley as he has played his part in the team’s efforts at the top end of the Championship.
The Lilywhites’ No.20 came on and changed the game, in the derby victory over Blackburn Rovers, before two excellent displays in the wins at Charlton and home to Huddersfield Town, winning the QUEST EFL player of the weekend after the triumph over the Terriers.
And he admits he has enjoyed being out and about in Preston over the last month or so: “After the Blackburn game I went to an Indian for a takeaway and I got a round of applause when I walked in – I couldn’t believe it!” He told iFollow PNE.
“The people around the city have been really nice and have only got nice things to say – it just gives you a nice feeling.
“I like to get around the city, see the place, the family and I have become adopted northerners and everyone has been so friendly.”
Jayden has thoroughly enjoyed the international break, getting engaged during the break, and now he can’t wait to get going again.
“When you get that little period of time off when you have been in good for, it is nice to reflect on that and think about what has gone well for us and to try and continue that momentum after the break,” he continued.
“We had DJ and Pearo out for the last game and a few players were carrying a bit of a knock, so it is nice for those players to get a rest.
“It has been nice for the players and good for everyone at the club to reflect on how well we have done and look ahead to these next few fixtures and try and build up that momentum again.
“I am really enjoying it. The international break came at a good time for me, having played the last three on the bounce and doing well.
“It has been a real upturn for me and that has come from a lot of hard work, so it has been good to be around family and feel good about yourself and you can’t not feel good about yourself at the moment.
“We have been doing brilliantly, flying in the league, and it is a good time reflect and for me, it has been great and I am really enjoying myself, which comes from being really happy around the place.”
Next up is a tough trip to Pride Park. PNE won on their first ever visit to the stadium in September 2002, but have not picked up three points there in 11 league games since and the former AFC Bournemouth man is expecting a tough game, but with a big away following, he can’t wait to get out there.
“It will be a tough place to go. Their home form has been good. They are a massive club, full of great players and players who have played higher and it will be a really high-quality game.
“I have not played [at Pride Park] so far in my career, so it will be great to go there and experience that. We will be looking to build on our away form; we got the Charlton win on our last trip and picked up the win at
Birmingham not too long ago, so it is something we are looking to build on, because if we pick up more points on the road, we will be a really healthy position.
“Away fans, when they travel, it is always great. They make so much noise, it is always buzzing and they are in good spirits and it does give you that lift, especially if you can celebrate in front of a packed and jubilant away stand, it is a good feeling and I am looking forward to it.”
With the international breaks done and dusted until last March, the graft of the season really gets going now and 26-year-old says the dressing room will look to push on once again.
“It is going to be an important stage of the season now. You look at the table in early January and the table won’t lie then.
“The teams at the top will be the ones who have been the most consistent and we should relish these battles over the next few weeks.
“We have put ourselves in this position and we are not the type of club or team to take our foot off the gas, we want to make each and every one of us proud and really attack the games coming up, so we can go into the festive fixtures still bouncing and keeping enjoying ourselves,” he added.