The Local Lowdown: Preston North End

This is Preston’s ninth consecutive season in the Championship. Is this the best shape they’ve been in to mount a promotion challenge?

I wouldn't say so, even though there are positives to take from the season so far. North End were strong in the 2017/18 and 2019/20 campaigns under Alex Neil. It's a competitive league this season and Preston are up against some big clubs, but Ryan Lowe has now had time to build a squad of his own and has been backed pretty well. 

Having been top of the league after seven games, Preston are without a win in their last five. What’s contributed to that loss of momentum?

North End were outperforming some of their underlying, attacking numbers anyway in the early part of the season - when they were particularly ruthless in the final third. But, Preston were miles off the pace in the heavy defeat to West Brom and then had a gruelling week on the road against Leicester and Ipswich. A few injuries haven't helped, along with a drop off in form defensively. PNE are now looking to kick on again and make sure the winless run doesn't go on too long. 

Charismatic manager Ryan Lowe is approaching two years in charge at Deepdale

What sort of impact has Ryan Lowe made since his arrival in December 2021, and how has the team evolved under his stewardship?

Lowe really engaged the fans upon arrival and got them on side with his charisma. Those first five months under him were positive and the task was then to improve the following season. PNE had an up and down 2022/23 campaign though, with Lowe coming in for his fair share of criticism and having to come through some testing periods. North End's boss has surely learned a lot since stepping into the Championship almost two years ago, with a couple of mid-table finishes under his belt. Lowe has utilised the transfer market pretty well, bringing in some talented loan players before focusing on permanent additions this summer. 

What’s the style of play like, and who are the players to watch out for?

Lowe arrived at Preston looking to employ an attacking, entertaining brand of football using a wing-back system. I think his time at the club has been a process of realising the challenge of delivering that, so this season PNE have gone a bit more direct and tried to play to their strengths slightly more. North End want to keep it tight at the back and get the ball forward quickly, then play in attacking areas. Wing-backs are still being utilised in the main, with 3-4-2-1 the most used shape this season. Will Keane is the club's top scorer and Duane Holmes has been bright since signing in the summer. Overseas recruit Mads Frokjaer also brings a touch of class. 

Duane Holmes celebrates scoring in the opening minute of the win over Plymouth in September

How is the atmosphere at Deepdale, and what do you expect from Wednesday’s game?

It's always better under the floodlights so North End fans should get behind their team in midweek. Deepdale is a great place for football at night and Ryan Lowe's men need their supporters right behind them, in what will be a tricky test no doubt.