Emil Riis said Preston North End had been needing a positive result and would take confidence from their victory against Coventry City.
The Dane hit the winning goal with just over 20 minutes remaining at Deepdale, after Patrick Bauer’s header on the hour mark had cancelled out Tyler Walker’s opener for the visitors on the stroke of half-time.
With this the Lilywhites’ first league win since the end of August, the Lilywhites’ No.19 admitted it was a much-needed victory.
“We’ve been needing that three points for a while now so to finally get an extra goal, that’s great for the team,” Emil told iFollow PNE. “We needed that confidence in the squad.
“I think the first 40 minutes of the first half, we were in control. We didn’t really create that many chances but I think we had them under control and then they scored a goal right before half-time. We knew we could do better second half.
The forward said having trailed at the break, the message from Frankie McAvoy and his staff was to press from the front in the second half.
“He [Frankie] wanted to be more on the front foot, go high up and press and force them to make mistakes and they did in the second half and we counted on that.
“If you’re 1-0 behind and you just sit back, it’s not good for anyone. We’re a team that want to go high and press, and if we play like this, we can beat anyone.”
He was pleased with both goals which resulted from that approach – both for himself and for team-mate Bauer.
“I was right behind him [Pat] and I can still hear the noise when he hit the ball. I knew it was going in straightaway, an unbelievable header for him.
“It’s always good to score goals and help the team to get three points, that’s more important, so I’m happy.
“That’s why I’m here. I’m just happy to get my goals and help the team best way I can.”
The result comes at an important time as North End now look ahead to a first West Lancashire derby in over eight years with Saturday’s trip to Blackpool, an experience that Riis is looking forward to be a part of.
“Hopefully that sets us up for Saturday. We needed that confidence going into the next couple of games, it’s a big week. We’ve been missing that one goal in so many games now and finally it’s there. I’m just delighted.
“The club really hyped it up so I know the fans don’t want to lose that game and we’ll do everything we can to win the game.
“We’re in training tomorrow so it’s just preparing for the next game.”
Watch Emil’s post-match thoughts in full on iFollow PNE.