Frankie McAvoy sees PNE’s double header on the road as a chance to kickstart their away form, starting with Wednesday’s visit to face an AFC Bournemouth side unbeaten so far this season.
North End head to the Vitality Stadium for a 7.45pm kick-off to face the Cherries who are yet to lose so far this Championship season under the leadership of Scott Parker.
Speaking to iFollow PNE, Frankie said: “First and foremost we know what we’re going to be facing. I think they’re undefeated in the league and I think it’s the most points that anybody’s attained at this stage in the Championship, so without doubt Scott Parker’s done a magnificent job at Bournemouth.
“Ben Pearson’s there and quite a lot of the time he’s found himself on the bench so that just shows the strength in depth that they’ve got within their squad and they’re a quality outfit, I don’t think there’s any questions or doubt about that.
“But if you’re on your game, anyone’s capable in the Championship, no matter where you are in the league, you’re capable of winning any game on any given day and we’ll go there, prepare ourselves as best as we can to try and win it at Bournemouth.
“It would be pointless going there and sitting back and just hoping for the best, we won’t. We’ll prepare ourselves as best as we can and do our utmost to try and win the game.”
PNE’s last trip to face the Cherries came last December when Alex Neil’s side went 3-0 up against Bournemouth, who were sat second in the table at the time.
The home side scored twice in the latter stages of the game and threatened a comeback, but North End held on for the three points.
Frankie, first team coach at the time, said: “I don’t think they were quite as high up in the league and as good last year as they are this year, but we did great there.
“I think we were holding on right at the death to win the game 3-2, but it was a great performance from us. We weren’t so great at home last season, we were a lot better away, this season it seems to be the opposite. Apart from the first game of the season we’ve performed admirably well at home.
“I think the eight games we’ve played, we’ve won four, drawn three which is good, we just need to try and do a wee bit better on the road.
“I think we’ve picked up three points in the away games which isn’t good enough, we need to do a lot better there, and hopefully that can kick into place on Wednesday night at Bournemouth.
“We have two big games coming up and great opportunities to go and see where exactly we are against a team that’s high flying at the top of the league so I’m looking forward to it.”
As mentioned by the head coach, North End’s home form has been far superior to away from Deepdale, picking up 15 points compared to their three on the road.
Asked if he feels it’s the return of fans which has influenced the difference in form, Frankie answered: “To be honest I don’t really know because the first game of the season when we had the fans it was rocking. We started well and then all of a sudden we don’t perform the way that we wanted to.
“I think the occasion with Mr Hemmings’ passing against Derby, I don’t think we did so well in that game either, but the others I don’t think anybody can hold anything against us, I think we’ve done extremely well in a lot of the games.
“Away from home, there’s a few games which we probably could have nicked wins in, but unfortunately we are where we are. It’s pointless dwelling on the past, it’s gone and there’s not a lot we can do about it."
Hear more from Frankie in his full interview on iFollow PNE.