LEAGUE ONE CRUNCH
A look ahead to today’s key games, including Colchester v Preston
PRESTON boss Simon Grayson admits everything is at stake in today’s promotion decider against struggling Colchester. The Lilywhites will win promotion to the Championship if they match the result of MK Dons, who welcome already relegated Yeovil to stadium:mk.
North End go into their clash in Essex a point clear of the Dons and on the back of a 19-game unbeaten run in League One, with their last defeat coming against Crawley back in January.
Determined
They will be doubly determined to secure automatic promotion, and in turn avoid the play-offs, after finishing fifth last season but enduring the disappointment of being knocked out in the semi-finals by Rotherham.
Grayson has a full squad to choose from this afternoon and will be hoping for more goals from the division’s top scorer Joe Garner and the experienced Jermaine Beckford.
League One status might be on the line for Colchester but Grayson insists there is no time for sentiment – his players must keep their eyes on the prize and focus on sealing a return to the Championship for the first time in four years.
“It’s exciting times for everybody, nervous times for a lot of supporters but it will be the same for everyone connected with MK Dons as well,” he said.
“We’re very confident in what we can do, we’re very focused and we’re not going to be complacent. We’ve worked extremely hard to be given this opportunity to get promotion to the Championship and we are not going to give up on it lightly.
“We’ve said for the last three or four games our destiny is in our own hands and we can’t affect what happens at other clubs.
“It now all boils down to a onegame season. For us to be where we are and what we’ve done is testament to the players.
Respect
“At this stage of the season to have gone unbeaten for so long and to have given ourselves the opportunity to be promoted is fantastic, and we’re focused and determined to do that.
“Colchester played very well against Swindon the other night (1-1 on Tuesday) so we know that they will be up for the fight. They know that they’ve got nothing to lose and that they have to go out and win the game.
“So we know we have to be focused. They’ve got players who are desperate for survival and we fully respect Colchester and what they’ve done.
“We know what to expect but, again, I’m sure they are aware of what’s at stake for us.”
While Preston will draw hope from the fact they are in control of their fate, Colchester must win and hope that two of Crawley, Notts County, Crewe and, less realistically, Coventry slip up if they are to survive relegation.
Boss Tony Humes is set to name an unchanged side for the match and while he acknowledges second- placed Preston are a formidable force, he knows the U’s must believe they can avoid the drop if they’re to achieve it.
“We can beat Preston, of course we can,” he said.
“They haven’t won every game this season, they are not invincible.
“They will also be nervy because they have to win the game to make the top two – MK Dons are breathing right down their necks.
“You don’t know how pressure affects teams. We’ve just got to go and approach it in the same way, and see what happens.
“We’ve got to pick the players up and keep that belief going, which they’ve had all season.”