Source: Team_Talk
Irvine: Blades tie a 'normal game'
Irvine won the Manager of the Month award for April after leading the Lancashire outfit on an impressive run which resulted in a top-six finish on a dramatic final day of the season.Last Sunday's 2-1 home win over QPR, coupled with Cardiff's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, saw Preston leapfrog the Bluebirds into sixth spot by virtue of having scored one more goal.Returning to the top flight for the first time since 1961 would complete a remarkable turnaround for a club which Irvine has revived since he quit his post as Everton assistant manager and took the helm at Deepdale in November 2007.Looking ahead to the visit of Kevin Blackwell's side, Irvine said: "We've got to approach it as a normal game first and foremost."Players feel uncomfortable with you doing unusual things and presenting them with situations that they have never had to deal with prior to that."We'll definitely prepare for it as we would normally do for a game against Sheffield United."We know that whatever happens in the first leg it is only half-time and you have to do it all over again."You want to make sure that you are going into the second leg very much in contention."Preston are boosted by the return from suspension of influential winger Ross Wallace but on-loan Watford midfielder Lee Williamson remains banned.Irvine must decide whether to hand Wallace an immediate recall to the starting line-up or name the same side which beat Rangers last Sunday.Irvine added: "It certainly gives me a decision to make."I have to decide whether I bring Ross, who has been very influential for us, straight back in or whether I stick with the lads who got the result at the weekend."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.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."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."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." Preston 11/8, Sheff Utd 7/4, Draw 11/5