In the seventh of a series of pre-season reports, HarryFromBath assesses the mood around the Championship clubs by delving into their forums, looking here at how things have progressed at Deepdale this summer. Reports on Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic will follow later today, with all of the teams in the division covered between now and the start of the season.

“I can't wait for the new season. It has been a long time since there has been so much positivity surrounding the club. The manager wants to be here, wants to get us promoted and has the backing of the players. The players love it here as evidenced by all the new contracts they have signed.”

“It's an exciting time to be a White and it's just the beginning.” Preston fans are looking forward to the new campaign with great optimism. In one pre-season poll, just over 60 per cent of Lilywhites believe their team will finish in the play-offs or higher. “It's a massive opportunity coming up.”

“Excited probably is not the right word but I'm looking forward to seeing whether the team can kick on and the incoming players meet expectations. Fighting for a play-off spot is my expectation this year”, “We have played some lovely stuff at times in the pre-season. I’m really looking forward to the season starting now.”

Alex Neil

“Alex Neil seems to have put together a young, balanced and hungry squad which I actually think looks like it will be good to watch. Everybody's working their nuts off. We work hard and play well, there are no passengers and they give 110 per cent commitment. You can't really ask for more.”

The 37-year-old former Norwich manager replaced the departing Simon Grayson 12 months ago and has won the backing supporters with his brand of entertaining, high-intensity football. “We have certainly got a talented set of lads for the first time in years and they work so hard for each other.”

“This is the best squad we've had in my time.” He has also been praised for strengthening the squad despite having limited funds. “He needs to trust his system. He got us to seventh with it last season and providing we’re not hit with injuries, I am confident he will take us one step further this season.”

Consolidation in the Transfer Window

“Although we haven’t made many progressive signings on paper, I reckon that by keeping this squad together and them having a year’s experience of a promotion push we will know what it takes to get there”, “We might not have improved the team, but we have filled the squad with more potential.”

There have been five new arrivals and four departures this summer, but just as importantly seven established first-team regulars have agreed contract extensions. The biggest departure has been left-back Greg Cunningham, who has moved to Premier League Cardiff for a reported £4 million.

John Welsh

Veteran midfielder John Welsh has joined Grimsby on a permanent deal, while Tommy Spurr has switched to Fleetwood on a season-long loan. Teenage keeper Mathew Hudson has also joined Bury on loan until January.

Michael Crowe has arrived from Portman Road this summer although the 22-year-old keeper is seen as being behind Chris Maxwell and Declan Rudd in the pecking order at present. Centre-back Jack Storey, 20, signed from Exeter and is “a decent player who looks good passing out from the back”.

Michael Crowe

“Andrew Hughes continues to impress me greatly.” The 24-year-old buy from Peterborough “looks a steady replacement for Cunningham at left-back, physically very good, defensively solid and looks to have a bit about him going forward”, “He’s quicker than [former Preston defender] Bailey Wright.”

“I really like the look of Ryan Ledson.” The 20-year-old central midfielder was purchased from Oxford on a three-year deal. “He proper puts himself about. He’s basically a better and more athletic John Welsh”, “He’s pacy, likes a tackle and has a bit of class. With more composure he will be excellent.”

The final addition at the time of writing is striker Graham Burke, 24, from Shamrock Rovers. He has been used in a wider role in pre-season games. “Burke is slow as owt, but I doubt we’ll see him play out wide at all. Technically he’s a class act”, He’s comfortable in tight areas but he lacks any pace.”

Running Riot in Pre-Season Friendlies

The Lilywhites scored 18 goals in their first three run-outs, beating Bamber Bridge 7-0, AFC Fylde 6-1 and Cobh Ramblers 5-0. In two subsequent home games against Premier League opposition, they drew 2-2 with West Ham and lost 3-2 to Burnley. Their final game is away to Oldham on Saturday.

“The 4-2-3-1 worked well last season and hopefully it will again.” Neil has mixed up his squad in all of the games so far, but many expect the starting XI (above) or one very similar to open their campaign at home to QPR. Everyone has been pleased with the pattern and style of play they have witnessed.

“I’m finding it hard to pick the XI I would start the season. Many put in a good case for themselves”, “The touch and control at pace of the front players tonight was excellent. They chose the wrong option at times trying to score a world-class finish, but at least we weren’t afraid to have a shot.”

“There seemed to be lots of attempts at quick short passes against Burnley that didn't quite come off presumably because the players are not yet quite on each other’s wavelength, but if we play and move the ball about like that once the season starts we can impose ourselves on anybody.”

“We rely too much on Sean Maguire and we don’t quite look the same team when he’s off the field.” Striker Jordan Hugill left for West Ham in January and many fans think that they are over-reliant on Maguire as a consequence. “When Sean comes on, the whole pace of the game we play changes.”

Our Best Chance for Years

“We’re a far better team than most of us give them credit for. This season will be another year of these players playing together and building up a greater understanding”, “We have certainly got a talented set of lads for the first time in years and they work so hard for each other.”

Despite their optimism, a minority of Lilywhites think that they are not quite the finished article. “I’m hopeful we’ll have a better season than last year but I’m not convinced. The signings we have made are going to make too much of a difference or impact and the loss of Cunningham will hurt.”

“We have consistently improved since our return to the Championship, nothing has made me think this will stop now”, “I think we will have a stronger team than last year but I also think the division itself will be stronger. This will hopefully be our best chance of getting promoted for years.”

Websites

The busiest Preston forum is the friendly and informative PNE Online.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

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