Preston are making themselves hard to beat in the Championship.
And if that means avoiding relegation this season, it will be a case of “job done” for Simon Grayson and his side.
That is the view of a season ticket holder at Deepdale.
Not just any season ticket holder. He is also perhaps the finest player to have ever turned out for Albion.
These days he watches his home town team back in Lancashire with his son when work permits.
“They are hard to beat,” Mark Lawrenson told The Argus when asked for insight on today’s visitors to the Amex.
“I think that is quite typical of a Simon Grayson side. They don’t let many goals in.
“And even when they have been beaten, it has always been a close game.
“They have probably found it harder at the other end of the pitch since coming up from League One.
“But this season is all about not getting relegated.
Preston would love to see Joe Garner get back on target
“It is such a tight league. Tight in that anyone can beat anyone – but then you down at Brighton probably know that better than I do.”
North End have stayed in the South East since Tuesday night, when they won 3-0 away to a Charlton side desperately low on confidence.
It was their second win of the season, both coming away from home, and was achieved using a 3-5-2 set-up.
They could stick to that shape today and Lawrenson reckons it is one that suits them.
But he is glad to see striker Joe Garner back in contention after a three-game ban.
Garner has yet to score this term after firing 27 goals in league and cup on the way to promotion last season.
Lawrenson, pictured, said: “He is not the biggest but he is quite physical and it is good to know he is up there.
“He has a presence and he got lots of goals in League One. It hasn’t really happened for him yet this season but he is one of those players you look to.
“As a team, they can change formations during a game.
“They can play with a back four but I actually think they look better playing 3-5-2.
“But Simon has brought in players who can adapt and allow him to play different formations.”
Although North End have struggled for goals in general, their midfield have been productive.
Daniel Johnson leads the way with five goals, including a couple of cracking curlers with the left foot.
He passed the ball into the bottom corner to round off the win at Charlton after Paul Gallagher had also produced two special finishes in the first half.
“Johnson has been terrific,” Lawrenson said.
“He is very good on the ball, full of confidence and he is a left-footer – and I always think left-footers look good.
“He also allows Gallagher to play in there and he is another important player for Preston.”
Steve Cotterill admitted Bristol City were really fired up to end Albion’s unbeaten record when they visited the Amex on Tuesday.
The same message has gone around the North End camp during a few days which have included two training sessions at Bisham Abbey and a trip to Kempton races.
Grayson said: “They don’t come much harder than this game that we’ve got, but the result that we had on Tuesday night was big for us.
Original article
And if that means avoiding relegation this season, it will be a case of “job done” for Simon Grayson and his side.
That is the view of a season ticket holder at Deepdale.
Not just any season ticket holder. He is also perhaps the finest player to have ever turned out for Albion.
These days he watches his home town team back in Lancashire with his son when work permits.
“They are hard to beat,” Mark Lawrenson told The Argus when asked for insight on today’s visitors to the Amex.
“I think that is quite typical of a Simon Grayson side. They don’t let many goals in.
“And even when they have been beaten, it has always been a close game.
“They have probably found it harder at the other end of the pitch since coming up from League One.
“But this season is all about not getting relegated.
Preston would love to see Joe Garner get back on target
“It is such a tight league. Tight in that anyone can beat anyone – but then you down at Brighton probably know that better than I do.”
North End have stayed in the South East since Tuesday night, when they won 3-0 away to a Charlton side desperately low on confidence.
It was their second win of the season, both coming away from home, and was achieved using a 3-5-2 set-up.
They could stick to that shape today and Lawrenson reckons it is one that suits them.
But he is glad to see striker Joe Garner back in contention after a three-game ban.
Garner has yet to score this term after firing 27 goals in league and cup on the way to promotion last season.
Lawrenson, pictured, said: “He is not the biggest but he is quite physical and it is good to know he is up there.
“He has a presence and he got lots of goals in League One. It hasn’t really happened for him yet this season but he is one of those players you look to.
“As a team, they can change formations during a game.
“They can play with a back four but I actually think they look better playing 3-5-2.
“But Simon has brought in players who can adapt and allow him to play different formations.”
Although North End have struggled for goals in general, their midfield have been productive.
Daniel Johnson leads the way with five goals, including a couple of cracking curlers with the left foot.
He passed the ball into the bottom corner to round off the win at Charlton after Paul Gallagher had also produced two special finishes in the first half.
“Johnson has been terrific,” Lawrenson said.
“He is very good on the ball, full of confidence and he is a left-footer – and I always think left-footers look good.
“He also allows Gallagher to play in there and he is another important player for Preston.”
Steve Cotterill admitted Bristol City were really fired up to end Albion’s unbeaten record when they visited the Amex on Tuesday.
The same message has gone around the North End camp during a few days which have included two training sessions at Bisham Abbey and a trip to Kempton races.
Grayson said: “They don’t come much harder than this game that we’ve got, but the result that we had on Tuesday night was big for us.
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Original article