Alex Neil expects Gentry Day response from PNE at Bolton

Alex Neil is confident that he will get the right response from his Preston squad to the defeat against Ipswich.
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PNE have the Gentry Day visit to Bolton Wanderers to focus on now, the players back in training on Tuesday after a couple of days off.

Lilywhites manager Neil said: “When the glory comes, excellent, and when the criticism comes it is what it is.

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“What I have to do is make sure I get my team back on track, back prepared for the next game.

PNE boss Alex Neil on the touchline against IpswichPNE boss Alex Neil on the touchline against Ipswich
PNE boss Alex Neil on the touchline against Ipswich

“We have to go and play a hell of a lot better, which we will because we will be a lot fresher, we will be ready and the lads will go and do what they normally do.”

Neil felt that giving the squad two days off following the Ipswich squad was the right approach.

Preston are heading into a Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday schedule, the visit to Bolton being followed by Deepdale clashes with play-off rivals Bristol City and Fulham.

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Said Neil: “I know that some people will say bring them in and run them but that is not the way you deal with professional lads.

PNE boss Alex Neil on the touchline against IpswichPNE boss Alex Neil on the touchline against Ipswich
PNE boss Alex Neil on the touchline against Ipswich

“They work really hard and give everything they have got.

“This job means the world to them, if anyone will be have been disappointed with the Ipswich performance it was them.”

Saturday’s defeat was only the seventh in the league this season for North End. And Neil says the below-par show was very much a one off.

“One thing I will say is that these players have performed supremely for me since I have been here,” said Neil.

“I’m not going to let one game taint that.

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“I said a few things at half-time which is unlike me – I’m not 
normally as harsh at that.

“It doesn’t change my opinion of my team and 
players.

“We had a bad day at the office and one thing I will do is stick by them and support them.”

Neil will experience a PNE Gentry Day for the first time on Saturday.

Tickets are selling well for the derby clash despite the high price in the away end.

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Sales are above the 3,100 mark, the 2,800 seats in the lower tier sold out.

They had cost £30 for an adult, with the upper tier more expensive at £35.

North End are laying on cut-price coach travel at £5 a place, with 15 coaches having been filled to date.

Gentry Day was held at the Macron Stadium in 2016, with PNE winning 2-1.