Now boss Neil needs a big favour from old pals
ALEX NEIL’S play-off hopes were almost wrecked by one of his former clubs – but now he is looking for a favour from another to keep alive Preston’s Premier League chances.
Norwich looked to have done serious damage to Neil’s chances of finishing in the top six by holding North End to a draw last week, yet Barnsley could now save the season for the former Oakwell midfielder.
Alan Browne’s second-half winner at Sheffield United has kept Preston in the hunt for the final play-off spot going into the final weekend.
To claim it, they need to beat Burton next Sunday and hope that sixth-placed Derby lose at home to Barnsley, where Neil (above) spent four years as a player.
The mood at Deepdale is much more cheerful than it was a week ago, when Norwich – who sacked Neil as boss 13 months ago – frustrated them by grinding out a 0-0 draw.
Match-winner Browne said: “People have been writing us off right from the start yet here we are. We’re still in with a shout and we’ve brought it down to the last game.”
Neil has good form when it comes to the play-offs – it was how he took Hamilton to the Scottish Premiership in 2014 and Norwich to the Premier League a year later. Browne said: “We might not make it but, if we do, then it’s good to have the gaffer’s experience.”
Sheffield United’s own play-off hopes disappeared with Saturday’s defeat – frustrated boss Chris Wilder admitting in his post-match press conference that he could quit if the battle for control between co-owners Kevin Mccabe and Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is not sorted out.
Wilder said: “We’re a little bit short on quality in certain areas. I work with what I’m given and that will dictate what direction the club want to go in.
“The division next season is going to move on. It’s going to be a tougher division.”