Alan Irvine has vowed to quickly get to the bottom of Preston's current on-field problems.
The new Preston North End boss admits it is a big surprise to see the team hovering just above the Championship relegation zone.
Irvine has been a regular visitor to Deepdale during his five-and-a-half years as Everton assistant manager and thinks the squad has the talent necessary to be challenging at the other end of the table.
He's already started to investigate PNE's struggles, meeting his backroom staff on Tuesday, and will speak with them again on Wednesday as preparations begin for Saturday's TV clash against Charlton.
On Thursday, the Glaswegian starts work with the players at Springfields and plenty of hard graft lies ahead for them on the training ground.
>> Shaw: Irvine was always our No 1Irvine told the Evening Post: "I need to find out what has been going wrong – the sooner I do that the bettter.
"I'm surprised by the position the team are in, having seen them play a lot over the last couple of years and also facing them in a pre-season friendly.
"It is no secret Everton were watching Dave Nugent very closely in the last couple of seasons, so I have been here many times with David Moyes and without him.
"We didn't just come to watch Nugent – if Everton were playing on a Sunday it wasn't far to get here after training on a Saturday morning.
"So I know a fair amount about the Preston players."
>> Lawro: Irvine will bring pride backIrvine will work with the current North End coaching staff, Rob Kelly his assistant manager, with Billy Barr and Dave Timmins continuing as first-coach and goalkeeping coach respectively.
He's happy with the set-up and will tap into their knowledge as he brings himself up to speed with Championship life.
Said Irvine: "I don't have a staff of my own to bring, with this being my first managerial job, so I will continue to work with the people who are here.
>> Watch full Irvine press conference"They can be a great help to me at this time when I don't have as good a knowledge of the Championship as I need to.
"I had a brief meeting with the staff on Tuesday. I asked them various questions, and we're meeting again on Wednesday.
"There's a lot of work to be done. We've got a big game against Charlton on Saturday and with it being on the television, that adds that little bit more spice.
"It's a big job to get the team out of the position they are in at the moment. I believe the target to stay out of trouble is in the region of 53 points.
"That means we have to get another 38 points from the remaining 30 games.
"I'm confident I can get us out of trouble. It would be a great risk me coming here if I didn't think I could do that.
>> Sir Tom backs Irvine appointment (audio)"I've left a fantastic job at Everton, one I was extremely happy in and in which I was well looked after.
"In Premier League terms it was probably one of the safest you could possibly have, and clearly it is a risk I'm taking coming to Preston.
"But if I didn't believe I could get Preston out of this position and afterwards get them competing at the top end of the table, I wouldn't have taken the job.
"I've had a very long apprenticeship, I've coached teams in the Champions League, UEFA Cup, cup finals, working with some top managers.
"Hopefully now that I'm the person making the decisions, I can glean what I've learned.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to get this job. It's a fantastic
opportunity and I'm really grateful to be given the chance."
>> Derek Shaw talks to LEP TV>> Fans welcome North End appointment (with audio)>> Irvine named new Preston manager
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