View: Comments by Preston ace should provide warning to West Brom
Preston forward Tom Barkhuizen has warned West Brom that his side are going to do their utmost to defend their unbeaten record at Deepdale on Monday night.
Albion travel to Lancashire knowing that a victory will see them return to the top of the Championship and open up a seven-point gap between themselves and third-placed Fulham.
No team has a better home record in the Championship than Preston with Alex Neil’s side winning seven and drawing two of their matches at Deepdale this season.
And Barkhuizen – who has scored all five of his Championship goals at home this term – has made it clear that Preston are not prepared to lose that record at the hands of West Brom on Monday.
“West Brom are one of the best teams in the league,” Barkhuizen told the Lancashire Post.
“They have recruited well and look strong.
“It will be a big test against them but I’m sure they will be thinking they’re in for a tough game at our place.
“Our home record is very good, it’s one to be proud of. We want to stay unbeaten here and we will be fighting every inch to make sure that is the case.
“We will give them the respect we do to all our opponents, study them closely and the gaffer will work out the best way to try and beat them.”
You have to take your hats off to Preston this season because even though they have lost their last two games, they have been one of the best teams in the league.
Preston are punching above their weight in sixth-place and that is largely down to their impressive record at Deepdale.
But what North End need to realise is that West Brom are actually more likely to pick up points on the road than they are at home in the Black Country.
Albion have played nine away games this season and won 20 points while at The Hawthorns they have picked up 19 points in the same number of fixtures.
No club has picked up more points away from home in the Championship than West Brom this season and although Albion need to be aware of Barkhuizen’s warning, Preston also need to be wary of the Baggies.
In other West Brom news, Emile Heskey has shared his thoughts on Harvey Barnes’ loan spell at The Hawthorns.