Preston North End Championship Status Now Safe?

Preston North End look set for another season in The Championship after they reached 54 points, a target set by Manager, Alan Irvine in January.

The Lilywhites have shown form reminiscent of title contenders. Unbeaten in seven games with five wins – a stark contrast to the performances displayed when the former Everton Assistant Manager took over the helm vacated by Paul Simpson in mid-November.

When Irvine was thrust into his first managerial role, Preston sat in the relegation zone, a sight not seen often by the Deepdale fans, who have witnessed more glowing scenes at the top of the table in recent seasons, with glimpses of the shining lights of the Premier League shining through, but fading as the seasons near their end.

This season has without question been a struggle for Preston, forever fighting the threat of relegation. However, the question of ‘why’ remains on the lips of the fans. The squad at the start of the season wasn’t much different from the end of the last. David Nugent was the big summer departure somewhat customary to the Preston close season. Former captain, Graham Alexander was sold off to rivals, Burnley leaving new recruit Kevin Nicholls to initially take the role now with Paul McKenna. Two reasons for Preston’s demise in the first half the season these maybe, however the book stops with the manager.

Simpson’s failure to replace two chasms in the North End team and turn form around lead to his dismissal. Irvine’s installment didn’t exactly breed a new lease of life, however things slowly began to slide into favour for the new saviour of Preston. New signings, new tactics, a new mentality and suddenly the weight of things have switched. Now with just a handful of games left to go, all crucial in one way or another, fears are now eased on the Lancashire club’s status. Mathematically still not safe, however, if I was a betting man I would put my life savings on Preston’s survival this season. The man to credit for the turn around – Alan Irvine.