Preston boss Alex Neil remaining upbeat despite Norwich draw

Posted Sunday, April 22, 2018 by PA

Alex Neil was left searching for the positives from Preston’s 0-0 draw with Norwich as they bid to keep their play-off dream alive.

Preston cut the gap to the top six to two points but it could have been an even better afternoon at Deepdale had Paul Gallagher’s excellent free-kick gone in and not rattled off the bar.

Neil said: “We are all a bit frustrated because we certainly did enough to win the game.

“It’s about putting those opportunities in the net when you are on top. I don’t think Norwich had a shot on target all game.

“Paul Gallagher showed great quality with that free-kick in the first half. You just need that little bit of luck at times.

“One positive we can take is that before the game it was three points, after the game it’s now two points so we’ve clawed some points back which is a bit fortunate.

“We’ve now got a really important game Saturday which we need to win. If we don’t then unfortunately our play-off hopes have gone.”

The home side cut Norwich open after nine minutes when Alan Browne slipped Callum Robinson clean through but the forward was unable to sort his feet out and Angus Gunn collected the ball.

James Maddison has been involved in 48 per cent of Norwich’s goals this season and their top-scorer was denied a 15th league goal by a superb block from Ben Pearson after 13 minutes.

Daniel Farke’s side, winless in their previous six away games, threatened again four minutes later but Josh Murphy’s 25-yard strike went harmlessly over the bar.

But Preston came close on the half-hour mark as Gallagher’s dipping free-kick from the edge of the area cannoned back off the underside of the bar.

Billy Bodin came within inches of the goal Preston desperately wanted in the second half, curling wide from 18 yards.

The chances were coming thick and fast for Preston and Robinson’s pinpoint cross picked out Sean Maguire after 78 minutes but he headed over, unmarked, six yards out.

It was to prove a crucial miss as Preston pushed for a winner that ultimately proved beyond them.

Norwich manager Farke said: “I’m proud of my lads’ behaviour but we would only be 100 per cent content if we won the game.

“I thought we were pretty much in control of the game, the weather was pretty warm but we showed that attitude and commitment, I’m very proud of the players.

“The commitment is always there but the attitude to keep a clean sheet was there. In general we gave everything, to have this attitude at this part of the season is outstanding.”