PNE won't make wholesale changes against Oldham

The League One Latics visit Deepdale for a second round EFL Cup tie hoping to cause an upset.

Despite having plenty of players to please Snodin says he and manager Simon Grayson won’t shake things up too much as North End look to build on the 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers that got them off the mark in the Championship on Saturday.

The PNE number two wants to keep up the winning habit with the possibility of a tie against one of the Premier League’s big boys awaiting the winners in round three.

Snodin said: “We’ll assess things, see how the bodies are and we’ll go from there.

“We like putting the strongest side out we can.

“It means they’re still getting the work in and we’ve got an international break coming up after Saturday.

“You’ve got a little bit of recovery there.

“It’s the early part of the season, everyone’s going to be fresh and fit still and we just want to give ourselves a chance of winning every game and progressing up that league and in the cup too.

“If we can get a big team in the next round it’s fantastic for the players and fans.”

PNE and Oldham met in pre-season, North End prevailing 3-1 at Boundary Park in the July sun.

Now the real business has begun former Preston midfielder Steve Robinson’s side are unbeaten in their last four games in league and cup having won 1-0 at Bury last time out.

Snodin said: “It’s going to be no easy game again.

“Oldham are going to be a tough side to play against. 
“We played them in pre-season and they’ve the new manager in Robbo in there and he’s set his stall out about how he wants his lads to play and they’re unbeaten in their last four.

“It’s going to be a difficult game, they’ve got nothing to lose he’ll be telling them and they can come here and play.

“The pressure’s on us to win but we can handle that.”

Joe Garner scored two of those goals in the friendly against Oldham with the striker’s move to Rangers officially confirmed by PNE on Monday.

Snodin said: “He’s been a great person to work with.

“I’m glad I’ve crossed his path.

“He’s a great gentleman off the field and when he’s on the field I’d rather have him in my side than against me.

“He’s one of those players who gives everything he’s got.

“He’s first on the sheet, you know he’ll compete and I just wish him every success up in Scotland.

“I think from the first challenge he’ll be a hero up there.

“He’s going to be sadly missed but football moves on, managers come and go and players come and go.”