Source: Team_Talk
St Ledger ready to blunt Blades
The Lancashire outfit, who have not played top-flight football since 1961, sneaked into the play-offs by the narrowest of margins on the final day of the season.[LNB]Their 2-1 home win over QPR, coupled with Cardiff's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, meant Preston leapfrogged the Bluebirds into sixth spot by virtue of having scored one more goal.[LNB]Reaching the promised land of the Barclays Premier League would complete a remarkable renaissance for a club revived since Alan Irvine quit his post as Everton assistant manager and took the helm at Deepdale in November 2007.[LNB]Irvine's men have won their last four games - an impressive sequence which included a 6-0 thumping of Cardiff and a 2-1 victory at Birmingham - and they also boast the best home record in the division.[LNB]Highly-rated centre-back St Ledger, 24, said: "We've won the last four on the trot and beaten some really good teams - and it always tends to be the team that comes late that goes up through the play-offs.[LNB]"We've beaten Birmingham twice this season, we've also beaten Cardiff and Reading, so it's there for everyone to see that we can compete with the top teams.[LNB]"They are massive clubs paying massive wages and have put a lot of money into it.[LNB]"Then you look at us with free transfers and not spending much money and it's a great achievement for us to even get into the play-offs.[LNB]"The club has got great heritage and history, it's a magnificent club to play at and I believe it deserves to be in the top flight.[LNB]"But we've got a great chance now and hopefully we can grab it with both hands."[LNB]Prior to embarking on their four-match winning streak to end the season in style, Preston lost at home to bitter rivals Blackpool.[LNB]The 1-0 defeat on April 11 arguably represented the lowest point of their campaign and looked certain to spell the end of their play-off hopes.[LNB]Yet they have shown real character to haul themselves back into the promotion picture and set up a two-legged clash with Kevin Blackwell's side.[LNB]St Ledger added: "The Blackpool game was the lowest of the low, and I don't think anyone thought we would get in the play-offs after that.[LNB]"But, we've knuckled down, worked hard and now we've got to beat Sheffield United."[LNB]Preston are boosted by the return from suspension of influential winger Ross Wallace but on-loan Watford midfielder Lee Williamson remains banned.[LNB]Blades skipper Chris Morgan, one of five United players to have reached a play-off final, is wary of Preston's momentum, but not daunted by it.[LNB]Morgan said: "We treat everybody with respect, but don't fear anybody. It's all up for grabs and we won't shy away from anything.[LNB]"It has dropped for Preston and they have sneaked in with a late surge, having some great results in the process, so we know it won't be easy.[LNB]"But the lads are positive and the battle carries on. We are the third best team in this division, so we can be confident and believe in our ability."[LNB][LNB][LNB] Preston v Sheff. Utd.. Click here to bet.
