NEIL: NOW IS THE TIME TO SUPPORT US!
ALEX NEIL reckons that it’s about time there was more of a buzz surrounding Preston – and called on the Deepdale faithful to do their part following a dramatic win over Birmingham City.
Sean Maguire’s added-time winner saw Neil’s troops claim all three points against the Blues, moving them up to seventh in the Championship table and only outside of the play-off spots on goal difference.
Manager Neil was disappointed by a home crowd of just over 17,509, but if his team are failing to steal a share of the spotlight, then so be it.
“We go under the radar because nobody cares about Preston apart from those involved with Preston – but we don’t care,” said the home manager.
“We care about the club and the fans know how it is, and that’s all that matters.
“I was a bit disappointed in the crowd, really. I think for what this team has done over the last 12 games, they deserved more, but the fans who were here backed us and really showed their support, which we are grateful for.
“If there was ever a time to come and support a Preston North End team, it’s now.
“I always believe in this group of players, that they can get that goal to win the game and, even when the chance was saved late on, I still believed they could get a goal – and we did.”
Conversely, Birmingham find themselves on a downward spiral following a fourth defeat on the spin but, despite the shock of a last-gasp defeat, manager Garry Monk insists that he and his troops can take it on the chin.
The Blues chief said: “It was strong performance and we can’t believe that we have lost.
“We were the best side on the pitch of the two teams. They didn’t have anything meaningful against us. We controlled the whole game.
“It is hard to take still, but you can live with the performance when the dust settles. It is just certain things that went against us and us not being clinical enough.
“The defeats always hurt, but you can handle them better when it is like that.
“We looked stronger than them going into the closing moments and I was delighted with the team.
“It is four defeats in a row, but anyone who saw the game knows we do not deserve that. The run should have ended.” The home side started with intent and Lee Camp had to be alert to collect a Brad Potts knockdown and prevent Maguire getting in on goal inside the first minute.
Gary Gardner failed to hit the target from just outside the box in the 25th minute, before Jayden Stockley fired wide three minutes later.
Potts had a free-kick deflected over for a Preston corner minutes before the break. Maikel Kieftenfield could only find the side-netting with a 51st-minute volley as the Blues started well after the half-time interval.
Substitute Callum Robinson just failed to get on the end of Stockley’s cross in the 66th minute as he looked to add to his 10-goal tally for the season.
Connor Mahoney had a shot palmed away by Declan Rudd after 77 minutes, but Maguire found the breakthrough as he headed home Johnson’s corner.