Wanderers came from two goals down to earn a point on the road at Preston North End on Saturday afternoon in the Sky Bet Championship.
After falling behind early in the game to goals from Callum Robinson and Alan Browne, Wanderers were level before the break with Sammy Ameobi and Pawel Olkowski finding the net, and Phil Parkinson's side went onto earn a point. The Manager spoke to bwfc.co.uk aftert he final whistle at Deepdale and covered the following topics...
General assessment of the game...
It was obviously a bad start to the game, and the first goal was bad from our point of view. The second one was an incredible strike and sometimes you've got to hold your hands up to that.
Even at two goals down, I thought we played some good stuff and we got back in it and put Preston on the back foot at times.
Their keeper maybe could have done better with our first goal, but the lads have shown real character and quality to get back into the game.
It was a real Lancashire derby,which you'd expect; it was a fiesty encounter, with both teams giving it their all to try and get the three points.
After last week we needed a response and I feel like we've done that. We can regroup now during this two week period and come back stronger than we are now.
The team giving a good account of themselves against a good side...
It is a difficult place to come, they've got some good players. Really, with their results, I don't think Preston's points have merited their performances.
I saw them beat Leeds during the week, they are a good side and they'll be looking to get in and around the play-offs this season but we've come here and more than matched them.
I'm very pleased. A lot of the things we saw today will give us great heart for the rest of the season.
Chance to come away with more than a point...
We had moments to go ahead, in particular with Lowey's (Jason Lowe) shot which was blocked on the line.
Really, in terms of the balance of the chances, we should have got all three points, but having been two down we'll certainly take the point.
The 4,000+ Wanderers supporters at Deepdale...
They were magnificent today. At 2-0 down I was thinking 'come on lads, we need to give these supporters what they deserve.
If our supporters see fighting spirit and quality, then they'll get right behind the team like they did today. It was almost like a home game in that second half for us.
The midfield trio of Joe Williams, Jason Lowe and Gary O'Neil...
I thought the midfield three worked really well today. It's always a bit of a gamble, because even though we had a practice game on Thursday, they've still not played together as a three.
I thought they were excellent today. We've come to Deepdale in the past and Ben Pearson has dictated the play, and we weren't prepared to allow that to happen today.
First goal in English football for Pawel Olkowski...
Pav has been great. To adapt to English football so quickly is every credit to him, and I was really pleased with his performance today.
He's got a big heart, he's a terrific lad and to get the goal was great. When your full backs are getting goals, it certainly bodes well.
Heading into the international break in good shape...
When you lose your first game of the season, you always want to bounce back quickly.
We had a good week on the training ground with the lads and they're an honest group of players with a lot of experience.
We all knew that despite Sheffield United being a good team and being fresh, we could have done better last week.
We needed to respond, we have done, and it takes us into the international break in great spirits.