Unsworth: Players played for their futures

Joint caretaker manager David Unsworth claimed new Preston boss Graham Westley had seen a side playing for their futures after the 10-man Lilywhites held on to beat Wycombe 3-2.

Unsworth revealed Westley had spoken to the players before kick-off and admitted the change in manager may have contributed to their slow start, as they fell behind to a Marcello Trotta goal after eight minutes.

`I think they were feeling sorry for themselves. The whole occasion and the new manager might have been at the back of their minds,' said Unsworth. `The new manager met them all before the game and maybe slightly took the focus off a little bit.

`We told them `listen, you're playing for your futures now', but at the end of the day you've got to play for yourself and give your all.

`I think the uncertainty of the past month caught up with them in the first half, but at half-time we let them know what we thought and I think the true Preston came out in the second half.'

Graham Alexander added: `It was a poor first half but they showed in the second that they cared for each other and their jobs and they played with a bit of competitiveness and aggression.'