Ryan Lowe, the manager of Preston North End, attempted to focus on the positive aspects of his team’s preseason debut, but he acknowledged that there were “tired bodies” in the 0-1 loss to Lincoln City.
Following Friday’s game at the Pinatar Arena, the PNE boss gave the following statements to the internal media.
Lowe responded, “Yeah listen, all the footage is out there-we really slogged the lads this week.” We thought it was critical for them to have covered perhaps thirty percent more than they had in previous preseasons. Even though there were a few worn-out players, they played some excellent patterns and used the ball quite well, particularly in the second half. They didn’t seem to have a kick for a time.
“They scored the goal in between us, because we were a little careless.” We don’t care about the outcome since, with Milly and Emil, we’ve created some great opportunities. Sam Greenwood gave us some excellent set plays, and the boys had some chances. One was saved by the ‘keeper on the line. For us, the best part is that they’re all in there without any ice on their ankles, thighs, or legs. Every one of them has survived it.
“We’ll return, they’ll recuperate and rest, we’ll head home tomorrow, and the week will resume on Monday. The boys have had an amazing week; they’ve been outstanding. I have to admit that the job they have done is of a different calibre. We played well against a strong Lincoln squad, who sat back in two blocks: a deep block and a mid-block. We can learn some valuable lessons from their attempt to rebut you, and I have no doubt that they will as well.
They’ll take certain things away from us when we’re in good possession of the ball. Having a little more of the ball is something we want to improve on, because we did. But, then we want to implement scoring and creating more chances – which we will. The first game of seven, I think it is, so a good, productive day and a productive week.
On the travelling PNE fans
“It’s class,” said Lowe. “We’ve got that picture we’ve had for many years, with them at the end of the game. I think one man’s lost his voice… he kept shouting all game which is brilliant. It’s good for them, isn’t it? It’s like a pre-season tour for them, with half of them obviously staying in Benidorm, having a few drinks. Some are here with their families, a couple of the players’ families are here. It’s brilliant, nice to see them, and hopefully they enjoy a good night in Benidorm.”
On Stefan Teitur Thordarson and Sam Greenwood
“Well, as you can see they’ve just bedded in well,” said Lowe. “The fans have even got a song for Stefan now and the Icelandic clap, I think we are going to see that at Deepdale and many away grounds, definitely. The two of them have got quality, which you can see. Stefan is probably fitter than most at the moment, because he’s been playing and was just coming into a bit of a mini pre-season with his ex-team.
“Sam, we are going to have a good pre-season with him. But, you can see the quality of both players, along with the rest of the lads. They are thriving for each other and looking to make sure they stake a claim for the first game of the season, at home to Sheffield United. That’s what I want, for them to be competing with each other – which they are.”
On the week in Spain
“It’s been brilliant,” said Lowe. “John (Lucas) sometimes tells me I am going a bit soft, because I’ll say that we’ll give them the afternoon off. We’ve had to be really strong with them – as long as there are no niggling injuries. One or two have missed afternoon sessions, just as a precaution. But no, credit where credit is due to the boys. They have got through it and stuck together, to get through it with each other
“They probably can’t wait to see the back of a few, for maybe a day or two, because it has been a long camp. But, it has been a good camp and productive. They have worked their socks off. The attitude and application has been spot on, as always. Forty five minutes under their belts and we’ve got three games next week, so we’ll get more minutes into the boys.
“That’s what pre-season is for: limiting injuries, getting volume into the legs, sharpness into them and get some patterns of play, in possession and out. We’ve come out of it today with a little bit of in-possession, which was good, and some good stuff out of possession – recovery runs, getting back in and defending some good free-kicks. They’ve also had to defend some of our good quality set-pieces, so there is loads of good stuff we’ll take out of it. The analysts will break it down, we’ll look at it and it will definitely be good for us.”
