The captain of Preston North End, Alan Browne, confirmed that he had received a contract offer from the Lilywhites and believed that he and his team handled the 2-1 victory over Leeds United “perfectly” on Boxing Day.
After scoring the first goal against Daniel Farke’s team, the eight, whose contract is currently up in the summer, spoke with the media after the game. Here are the words that the Irishman spoke on Tuesday.
Could you observe the group’s level of experience and quality today?
“I think it was experience more than anything and understanding the game that was there,” Browne stated. We had to confront them and make them want to leave because they would have been overconfident after such an incredible outcome. We probably accomplished that. For the first fifteen minutes, we didn’t have the best possession, but we managed to get the ball in some favourable spots and
the appropriate persons at the appropriate times. I believe we handled the game flawlessly overall. It was a very pleasant feeling. I believe that performance and result were necessary. Overall, I felt that we were the superior squad.”
How have the past several weeks gone? What kind of atmosphere has the place been in lately? Has everyone just have to stick together?
Yes, it is difficult, Browne said. “I realise it’s clearly justifiable when you have all the background noise—we haven’t performed well enough. And the manager will always take the flak, but when we get onto the pitch, it’s our responsibility, I told the boys. We are the only ones in the world with the power to alter things, regardless of what you do in training or what you are told. You can understand that the supporters were riding high on us for a while.
But we are not helped by it. That support is essential because it makes a big difference. They were jubilant and pleased, and they sold it out today. They clearly support us when we perform as we do, which motivates you. Thus, it makes sense, but in my opinion, the less criticism, the better.”
Regarding your contract, is there anything you can say? Are you at ease with it?
“Yeah, I’m quite relaxed,” Browne responded, adding that if approached again in September, he would be “happy to sign” a new contract. “The club have offered me a new contract but I haven’t signed, so that’s it.”
Has anything spurred the four goals in nine outings so far? Have you made any changes?
Browne answered, “Um, no.” “It recently occurred to me. I think I’ve handled my opportunities fairly well when they’ve presented themselves. To be honest, not much has changed in my opinion. I think I’m a little higher up the pitch now. I believe I played in the 10 position more last year than I did as an eight, which gets me in the box and certainly gives you more opportunities the higher up the pitch you are.”
“It’s something I have lacked in the last few years – contributing goals and assists for the team,” Browne said of his Saturday goal. Any goal is a good goal—I believe that was my fourth—and I’m just happy that we ultimately prevailed. Well done on the cross. Since Millar had asked me whether I had been close to it during the first half, I really told him at halftime that it would be on. However, because it was a shot, I was unable to go close to it. He was presumably thinking that if I cross it, I’ll have a chance, so he found me well and then scored a cracker himself.”
