Murray offers a Preston insight ahead of meeting (From The Northern Echo)

Murray offers a Preston insight ahead of meeting

8:00am Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Hartlepool United News By Nick Loughlin

TWELVE weeks ago, Preston North End made the most of some unhappiness at Hartlepool United by winning at Victoria Park.

Tonight, Pools hope the roles are reversed.

When Pools lost at home to a single goal on November 29, it was their seventh successive home loss and boss Mick Wadsworth was soon on his way.

This evening, with Preston in a state of flux under Graham Westley, Pools are out to make life more uneasy for their new boss.

Westley's methods and managerial style worked for Stevenage, but he accepts it may take time to make a stamp on Deepdale.

He's signed nine players - five could debut tonight - and has one point from three games. Sending a 2am text message to his players didn't go down too well and he has spoken of the resistance already encountered as he introduces his tried and trusted methods.

In contrast, new Pools boss Neale Cooper has slotted back in the job seamlessly after a seven-year hiatus.

Pools are five unbeaten and spirits are high within the squad.

Westley's Stevenage won at Victoria Park in the FA Cup before Preston - then managed by Phil Brown - did. But tonight, the Lillywhites will face a different Pools, just as Pools will be up against a different home side.

Pools midfielder Paul Murray started against tonight's opposition in November, before being replaced after an hour.

He is expected to start this evening despite being wary of playing successive games in three days aged 35.

"I have lived in Preston for 10 years so I've got plenty of neighbours who are fans,'' he said.

"But I don't know what the gaffer is going to do. I don't know whether the situation has changed now and I can play back-to-back games, I'd like to think so because I'm feeling good, but that's up to the gaffer.

"My missus is moaning on saying 'you've got to play because we are all coming'. If I'm involved somewhere then great.''

And living in Preston has offered Murray an insight into the difficulties at the club.

"The stuff coming out of Preston is not great with how unhappy they are,'' he said. "We've all seen the text messages that have been going on and there's other stuff.

"I've spoken to a few people in the club and they're not happy, the players. It's probably a good time to play them.

"Some of the players they have brought in aren't Preston players. I've played against a few of them in League Two and they weren't great there - that's my opinion. Preston are a big club.

"Maybe it will turn around for them, but we've got to take advantage because it's not a happy camp there.''

Cooper's character has lifted Pools no end in recent weeks thanks to his effervescent outlook.

And if Preston is an unhappy camp, Pools is certainly a buoyant one.

"There's a new manager coming in, we hear different stories about what's going in there, a bit of animosity,'' said Cooper.

"We prepare right and get rested up for the challenge. That was a good point against Bournemouth, a team with a bit of quality and a bit of dough - but that wasn't the real us.''

Of Westley he admitted: "I don't think I would be here if I was like what I hear about him. But I don't know him or never come across him.

"All I know is he has his ways, each to their own and that's not the way I am. He's a very rich man who has his beliefs.

"I know what a players' mentality is like and my boys work hard without that. They are so honest and I am so grateful to them for their workrate.''

Murray's effort and application stood out at the weekend and the holding midfielder can see himself carrying on next season.

He had hinted this campaign could be his last, but admitted: "The enthusiasm is still there.

"Obviously I'm not as fit as I used to be but I'm in the best physical condition I have ever have been - that's legs wise and upper body.

"I've been doing extra work at Durham with the fitness coach and the club has helped me in that regard.

"At 30 I thought 'my days are numbered', what with my knee injury.

"But the club have helped. I have a few injections now and then.

"If I continue and go on and then yeah, I want to prolong my career.

"Whether it's here or not I don't know, but I definitely want to play on for another year if I can.

"I have missed a lot of football in my career through injuries, but things are going well at the moment.''

Preston will tonight be without injured Neil Mellor, the striker who has scored five times against Pools in four games for Preston and Sheffield Wednesday.

Pools are expected to stick with the same XI from the weekend.