Preston North End midfielder Alan Browne is his own biggest critic

The Irishman remarked last month that he had yet to rediscover the form of last season.

North End boss Alex Neil subsequently dropped him to the bench at Bristol City and then brought him back in against Blackburn Rovers after the international break.

What he produced in the 4-1 win over Rovers and the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough the game after, was more like the Browne of last season.

The 23-year-old scored in both games, taking his tally for the campaign to six.

Browne is of the view that his decent scoring tally from the engine room might have put a coat of gloss on how people view his season as a whole.

“People look at stats – goals, assists – and they probably think a player is doing well," said Browne

“That is not the way I have seen it this season, I would rather someone else have scored and I put in a good performance.

“Saying all that, I was happier with how I played in the two recent home games.

“My performances were getting better but then the Birmingham game was disappointing.

“We don’t want to dwell too long on that game, we’ve put it behind us and focus on the next one.”

That next one is against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, a side who are going well in fifth place having spent a wheelbarrow full of cash strengthening their squad in the summer.

They have hit the goal trail of late, a 5-5 draw at Aston Villa being a result which understandably captured the imagination of many people.

Browne said: “Forest are very attack-minded and have a counter-attacking style of play.

“Their recent game at Aston Villa shows what they can do going forward but it also showed that they can concede goals.

“So as good as they are on the counter-attack, they have a weakness going the other way.

“I’ve watched a few of their games on television this season and we’ll study them as we build up to the game.”

Browne is happy that PNE are making the trip to the City Ground having had a clear midweek.

While the wish after a defeat is usually to get straight back out there to put things right, Preston’s injury situation dictates otherwise.

Playing Saturday and Tuesday against Rovers and Boro, took its toll for example on Ben Pearson, who had to sit out the trip to Birmingham.

It might be that some extra rest this week will be of benefit to Pearson.

Said Browne: “In the current circumstances a clear midweek helps.

“We have players who are carrying knocks going into games, so for them to have had a bit more rest is really important.

“If we could get a few more of the lads fully fit, that would really benefit us.

“Our aim is to get back on a good run, put some results together so that we can climb the table.

“We know what we are capable of doing, even if not everyone is available.

“The Forest game is one we’re looking forward to, it will be tough but aren’t they all in this division?

“As long as we work hard for one another, we can get something.”