Ryan Lowe feels it’s “massively important” his Preston North End side are confident heading into Saturday’s match against Sunderland.
PNE began the season last weekend with a 1-1 draw against Bristol City and followed that up with a defeat to Salford City in round one of the Carabao Cup during the week.
The manager wants his players to take the positives from the second-half performances in each of those matches.
On taking confidence from the display at Ashton Gate, Ryan said: “It’s massively important and then the second-half performance on Tuesday night.
“I know we made a few changes but the lads all know what we do and how we play. We prepare the right way, whether it’s the youngsters or the seniors playing.
“It doesn’t matter, we always prepare each and every team we put out the right way. Saturday will be no different.
“Coming off the back of an away performance like we did against Bristol City always gives you more confidence and I want that to be instilled in the lads and for them to believe they can go and get results wherever they go round the country, and that’ll be the message.”
North End will face a Sunderland side this weekend who secured a Play-Off spot at Deepdale on the final day of last season.
They didn’t quite have enough to make it to the Premier League, though, and they’ll no doubt be wanting to make another push this campaign.
Ryan said: “They are a strong force. They were good last season. They’re missing a few players that they had on loan last year, but they’ve still got some fantastic quality.
“People talk about their front players but they’ve still got a solid defence, a good midfield and a good goalkeeper, and they’re well-drilled and well-coached.
“We know we’re in for a tough afternoon of course, but I’m sure Tony [Mowbray] will be saying the same thing to his players about ours.
“We’re in for an interesting, entertaining game.”