NEIL PINS HOPES ON BLADES CLASH
Play-off dreams hang by a thread
PRESTON manager Alex Neil admits next week’s clash with Sheffield United is win or bust after they were held to a draw at home to Norwich.
It’s a point that narrowed the gap to the play-offs to just two points but also represents an opportunity missed for Preston, who have taken just seven points from their last six home games.
Preston are now ninth, two points behind Millwall, who occupy the final play-off places, and they are only three clear of 11th-placed Sheffield United.
In such a tight play-off race, Neil knows next week’s penultimate match of the season is a must-win.
“We’ve now got a really important game Saturday, which we need to win,” he said.
“If we don’t, then unfortunately, our play-off hopes have gone. You want to be involved in big games. They don’t come any bigger than next week.
“We are all a bit frustrated because we certainly did enough to win the game today. It’s about putting those opportunities in the net when you are on top.
“One positive we can take is that before today’s game, it was three points, after today’s game it’s now two points, so we’ve clawed some points back, which is a bit fortunate.
“We will come back and we will improve. Hopefully, if the chances come in the next game, we can take them.”
Preston began the day three points off the Championship play-off places, with seven teams separated by just four points.
They cut Norwich open on nine minutes when Alan Browne slipped Callum Robinson clean through, but the forward was unable to sort his feet out and Angus Gunn collected the ball.
But Preston came closest to scoring before the interval on the half-hour mark as Paul Gallagher’s dipping free-kick from the edge of the area cannoned back off the underside of the bar.
Former Norwich manager Neil played his hand after 53 minutes, making a double change to bring on Sean Maguire and Josh Harrop.
The two nearly combined to give Preston the lead on the hour mark, as Maguire carried the ball the length of the field before trying to play Harrop in – only for a last-ditch Jamal Lewis tackle to deny the hosts.
After 77 minutes, Billy Bodin came within inches of the goal Preston desperately wanted to boost their play-off chances, curling wide from 18 yards.
The chances were coming thick and fast for the Lilywhites and Robinson’s pinpoint cross picked out Maguire after 78 minutes, but he headed over, unmarked, six yards out.
It wasn’t to be for Preston as Norwich kept their first clean sheet in nine league matches, which delighted manager Daniel Farke.
“The commitment is always there but today the attitude to keep a clean sheet was there,” Farke said.
“In general we gave everything. To have this attitude at this part of the season is outstanding. I thought we were pretty much in control of the game. The weather was pretty warm but we showed that attitude and commitment. I’m very proud of the players.
“There were some situations we could have controlled a bit better but I think it was, in general ,the right result. Next week at home will be a totally different game. The focus in the next week will be in our offence and what we can do in attack.”