Jordan Thompson has demanded Preston North End fix their pressing and defensive shape ahead of Saturday's trip to face Wrexham A.F.C. The midfielder's comments come after a 4-0 defeat to Birmingham City on Tuesday, a result he described as frustrating.
"Frustrating, really frustrating result for us," Thompson said. "I don't think we got the press right at times, didn't defend our box good enough." He said the team had reviewed the game and were now focused on the next opportunity at the Racecourse Ground.
Preston's plan for Wrexham
Thompson outlined the specific improvements needed for the visit to north Wales. He stressed the importance of judging when to press and when to drop into a mid-block, while also ensuring more bodies are in their own penalty area. The Northern Ireland international said Preston would play on the front foot and be aggressive but needed more composure in the final third. He highlighted that the team's goal minutes show they have conceded 8 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, a vulnerability they must address.
He also expressed confidence in the squad and backing for manager Graham Alexander's attacking philosophy, acknowledging that improvements would take time. Thompson is eager to face former teammate Ben Whiteman, who is a key part of the Wrexham midfield.
Wrexham's inconsistent form
Wrexham A.F.C. go into the match sitting 17th in the Championship with 11 points from 10 games. Their recent form has been mixed, with a home win over Southampton followed by a heavy loss at West Ham and a narrow defeat to West Brom last time out. Manager Phil Parkinson is under pressure in the club's second season at this level.
The hosts will rely on top scorer Kieffer Moore, who has four goals this season, but are without several players through injury including Nathan Broadhead and Ben Sheaf. Wrexham's last three home matches have yielded just one victory, adding to the significance of this fixture. The game kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday at the Racecourse Ground, with Preston seeking a first league win in 11 attempts. Wrexham's upcoming fixtures include a trip to Coventry City the following weekend.
