Brad Potts knows the importance of keeping up his level of performances, but feels his displays so far are deservedly maintaining his place in the team.
North End’s No.44 is one of three players to have featured in every minute of Sky Bet Championship football so far this season for PNE.
He’s had a big part to play, too, either operating as a right wing back or on the right of a back four.
As ever, though, competition is high, especially with the return from injury of Liverpool loanee Calvin Ramsay, so Pottsy knows he can’t let his performances drop.
He said: “I think in any position really there’s going to be competition. I think if you’re not playing well there’s going to be someone else waiting.
“You’ve just got to make sure you’re doing well and doing enough to stay in the team and make sure the manager’s picking you.
“You kind of control that from your performances on the pitch. From what I’ve done so far this season I think I’ve deserved that and I just need to carry it on really.”
The 29-year-old won the Sky Sports Player of the Match award for his performance in North End’s last outing, a last-gasp victory over Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers.
Liam Lindsay was the man to head home the winner for his side in front of a packed-out away end, sealing back-to-back victories for PNE heading into the international break.
Pottsy said: “I think it was important that we went into the break off the back of a win, especially after beating Coventry.
“Obviously to do it in a derby game it was a great feeling and there’s just been a good vibe around the place since then so hopefully that can continue.
“It was amazing. I think you can’t beat a last-minute winner.
“We suffered against Southampton earlier on in the season and we did say after the game it’d swing round for us.
“Then obviously a few weeks on at Blackburn away in front of 6,000 away fans, you couldn’t have written it any better. It was amazing and just great to get the three points.”
Ryan Lowe’s side return to Deepdale this weekend for the visit of Cardiff City, who have made a positive start to the season.
Under new management in Erol Bulut, they appear a different side to the one which finished 21st in the Championship last term.
The Bluebirds arrive in Lancashire sat ninth in the table and just two points below Sunderland in sixth place.
Brad said: “I think they’ve got a few new players, a new manager and they’ve got quite an attacking team now, so we know it’s going to be different.
“But we’ve got a different team this season as well and we’ve got different qualities as well, so we need to make sure they’re worrying about what we have this season instead of us worrying about what they have.”