Ryan Lowe said he was proud of his side’s “resolute” performance in the 1-0 away victory over Luton Town.
Preston North End secured their first victory of the Championship campaign in Bedfordshire, courtesy of a fantastic strike from Brad Potts on 18 minutes.
The hosts had just short of 20 attempts at Freddie Woodman’s goal, but everything they threw at Ryan Lowe’s side was defended brilliantly, and North End left Kenilworth Road still without conceding a goal in the league so far.
Speaking to iFollow, Ryan said: “To be resolute is to know that you can win games of football, especially when coming to these places.
“You’ve got to battle; it doesn’t just happen. I said to the group before, ‘you’ve got to believe you’re coming here to win, be the best you can be’, and they were the best they can be today.
“One or two might have thought they could do a little bit better, but if it wasn’t the quality it was effort, tackles, blocks.
“Everything they’ve done today was required for where we want to try and get to.
“That’s a Preston North End team I’m proud to manage because that’s what I want from them all.
“The players coming in, the players getting left out, it’s part and parcel of a squad game. When they’re resolute like that, putting bodies on the line to stop a very good team in Luton Town and limiting them to very few good opportunities, it’s very pleasing.”
The goal which won PNE the game was a thing of beauty, as left wing back Robbie Brady found his right counterpart Potts with a fantastic cross.
It definitely wasn’t an easy finish from there, though, as Potts seemed to hang in the air before meeting the ball perfectly and smashing home on the volley.
Ryan said: “I haven’t seen it back yet – I’ll have to watch it – but he said to me his two feet were off the ground!
“Fair play to Pottsy. We’ve been harping on about him – Gally [Paul Gallagher], Marshy [Mike Marsh] and myself – to get higher, step in, join in when he can, because when he’s like that and he’s on it, he’s unplayable, isn’t he?
“His energy and his desire to get places is different class so again I’m really pleased.
“That goal is worthy of winning any game.”
North End were once again backed by a superb following, with 895 PNE fans in attendance at Kenilworth Road, despite the rail strikes and the temperatures being in the mid-30s.
“They were actually in the shade though which is a good thing because there would probably have been a few sun burns on them,” laughed Ryan.
“But they were fantastic. We keep talking about it, but it’s brilliant.
“You see them all there – even the kids – they’ve all got their tops swinging, Preston North End shirts around their necks.
“That’s pride for me. I’m proud to be the Preston North End manager when I see that because they’re with us through thick and thin.
“They’re following us up and down the country, they’re coming on hot days like this, with no trains – unbelievable.
“I’m just pleased we’ve sent them home happy with three points.”