Preston North End striker Sean Maguire reflects on defeat at Watford and turns attention to the visit to Bournemouth

Sean Maguire thinks Preston North End can bounce back from a bad week in which they suffered two defeats and shipped seven goals.
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The Lilywhites’ 4-1 loss at Watford came on the back of the 3-0 reverse to Blackburn.

With a trip to second place Bournemouth coming up on Tuesday night, they need to dust themselves quickly.

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Maguire, who was recalled to the side at Vicarage Road after eight games on the bench, said: “As players we have to take the blame for these defeats.

Preston North End striker Sean Maguire challenges with Watford defender Craig CathcartPreston North End striker Sean Maguire challenges with Watford defender Craig Cathcart
Preston North End striker Sean Maguire challenges with Watford defender Craig Cathcart

“It’s the old cliché but we have to get our heads up and start getting results.

“We’ve got Bournemouth now which will be tough but we believe in ourselves.

“We’ll have Alan Browne and Joe Rafferty back from suspension, while Ben Davies and Ben Pearson got a game into their legs at Watford.

“We’ve missed Davo and Pearo in the last month or so.

PNE striker Sean Maguire chats with team-mates Tom Barkhuizen in the pre-match warm-upPNE striker Sean Maguire chats with team-mates Tom Barkhuizen in the pre-match warm-up
PNE striker Sean Maguire chats with team-mates Tom Barkhuizen in the pre-match warm-up
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“Over a 46-game season in the Championship you will get results like this and it was a difficult one coming after the 3-0 defeat to Blackburn.

“We have to get things right and I think we will.”

Maguire felt 4-1 was a harsh reflection on how events went against the Hornets.

The Irish striker had seen a shot well saved by goalkeeper Ben Foster before Watford took a ninth-minute lead.

A controversial penalty put the hosts 2-0 ahead before Tom Barkhuizen’s deflected shot put PNE back in it.

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But two further Watford goals put the game beyond the visitors and the last 20 minutes was a tough watch.

Maguire said: “I didn’t think it was a 4-1 game.

“It looked easy for them at the end, the last 10-15 minutes they were all like Beckenbauer knocking it around.

“When you are 4-1 up, you can do that.

“We were without any of our full-backs, we had two lads playing at wing-backs who don’t normally play there.

“I thought the first half was quite an even game but then we made sloppy mistakes that cost us.

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“I thought Emil Riis should have had a penalty at 3-1 which might have made it interesting.

“This one is gone now, we’ve got to learn from it, move on and get ready to play a very good Bournemouth side on Tuesday night.”