Andrew Hughes described the point Preston North End took from their opening day trip to Wigan Athletic as being a good one ‘in the end’, after they finished the contest with ten men.
The Welshman looked back on a couple of the Lilywhites’ first-half chances in particular wondering what might have been, with Emil Riis going close, but substitute Ched Evans’ dismissal ten minutes from time meant PNE had to defend their point in the closing stages.
Speaking to iFollow PNE after the game, North End’s No.16 said: There were times where there was quality and there were times when it was scrappy. “I think first half we had two great chances to go 1-0 up, but at the end of the day we’re happy to take the 0-0, as obviously we went down to ten men. It’s a good point in the end.
“I think as soon as we go down to ten men, we’re happy to take the 0-0. I thought we did well to see it out. They sustained a lot of pressure, put a lot of balls in our box, and we defended well at that period of time.”
Hughes felt he and his fellow defenders were comfortable at the back throughout the game.
He continued: “I felt overall, the back three were comfy today with the crosses coming in. I think as a whole we did defend really well. I think we just need to tidy up a few parts of our game and then we look forward to next week.”
He felt it simply wasn’t meant to be for his side to take all three points in the local derby particularly with how close Danish frontman Riis had gone in the first half.
“It’s always nice to get off the mark with a win first game of the season but it wasn’t meant to be. It’s a shame one of them chances couldn’t go in but to be fair to the ‘keeper, he’s made a great save from Emil’s effort second time around. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
The draw was played out in front of 4,700 travelling North End fans, whose support left Hughesy visibly impressed.
He is hoping their backing can help the team to make Deepdale a fortress, as they look ahead to a first Championship game on home soil, against Hull City, next weekend.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable support. I don’t think there was a spare seat in there. Fair play to the fans, I know it’s around the corner but they could have easily not come today. But fair play, unbelievable support.
“I think this year we need to make Deepdale a fortress. I think no team is going to come there and roll us over easy. We’ll put a marker down on Deepdale this year and start off next Saturday.”
Watch more from Hughesy on iFollow PNE.