Preston North End stalwart emphasises 'best possible chance' and Blackburn Rovers motivation

Jordan Storey’s play-off dream at Preston North End is well and truly alive with 14 games left to play.

The defender is in his eighth campaign at Deepdale and has made no bones about the fact he wants to achieve something in his time at the club. PNE haven’t made the Championship play-offs since 2009 but Paul Heckingbottom has the Lilywhites in the mix, with the season now in its final third.

”The strength in depth we've got this year is probably the best I've seen since I've been here,” said Storey. “We've been close a couple of times in the last few seasons where we sort of blew up in the last five, six games.

“At least one of those seasons, we had so many injuries - I think that did play a big impact. So, with all the lads coming back, it's a massive positive for us. We just need to keep them all fit to give ourselves the best chance.

“The last three years, off the top of my head, I don't think we've even won a game in the last five. So, it's something that we definitely want to get right this year. Like I said, I think we've got the best possible chance of getting to the play-offs since I've been here.”

One factor which has come into play over the last couple of months is the deterioration of PNE’s home pitch. However, North End picked up a much needed win on it last weekend - over Portsmouth - and showed positive signs of adjustment in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Watford.

“Yeah, I think we can sit here and make excuses about it as much as we want,” said Storey. “But we're still playing against another team on the pitch and obviously, it's just as bad for them. We can't really keep making excuses about it; we know what it's like.

“We've just got to play the conditions well. But yeah, it is tough at times when you're playing on there. You're second guessing where your first touch is going to go. Especially with the technical players that we've got, it obviously doesn't help them the best.

“But like I said, we can't make excuses about it. There are two teams playing on the pitch at the end of the day. We've just got to manage it as well as we can. I think it has slightly improved but we're used to it now.

“We've played on it for a number of games when it's been like this. So yeah, it's obviously difficult for us; we've just got to keep managing it as best as we can. Hopefully, by March, April, when the weather starts to pick up, the pitch will improve.”

Storey on Osmajic’s scoring return

One player Preston welcomed back against the Hornets was Milutin Osmajic, after serving his three-game ban for violent conduct. The Montenegrin has some making up to do after another suspension and Storey feels he can play a crucial role.

“Yeah, hopefully he can get back to producing like he has done,” said Storey. “Obviously, we just need to keep him on the pitch for as long as possible without him doing something that could potentially get him sent off. But I think everyone knows his qualities around the ground, and I think he showed it when he came on today.”

North End now gear up for a Friday night Lancashire derby at Blackburn Rovers, who picked up a much needed win at QPR last time out. The Ewood Park club have appointed Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill in a dual role. Having endured some frustration against Blackburn in recent years, Storey is extra fired up for this one.

“Yeah, we'll be going to Blackburn fully confident,” said the PNE man. “It's a derby, so obviously anything can happen. They are a good side and got one up on us at our place - I thought they were pretty good.

“I know we were pretty poor on the day, but they still had bits of quality and they did a job on us. So, we'll be eager to go there and get one back over on them. Every player wants to play in derbies.

“It's our sort of local derby. I'm sure we'll bring a good following there, we always do. And yeah, we've had some good results there in the years since I've been here. Hopefully, we can make it another one.”

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