Defiant Alfie Devine maintains belief in Preston North End survival and asked about record price tag

Alfie Devine has no doubt that Preston North End will be able to turn results around.

The midfielder also revealed he does not feel pressure from being Preston's record signing.

It's been a horrible start to the season for North End, with just four points on the board after 11 games and relegation already a frightening possibility.

However, Devine is certain the squad is good enough to get out of trouble and climb up the table from rock bottom.

"Yeah. 100 per cent," he told The Post when asked if belief remained strong within the team.

"I think everyone who's spoken in the press has said the same thing, the squad we have in there is more than capable of turning this around and going higher up the table.

"I definitely, definitely believe we can do that."

Devine asks PNE fans to 'keep the faith'

When asked if he had a message for the fans, Devine echoed teammate Jordan Thompson by saying: "Just keep the faith.

"It takes time. It's not as simple as what people think; a new manager comes in and changes straight away.

"We buy into what he does, and I think he believes in us a lot.

"That's a big thing that I think will help us, no one's not buying into what he is doing. We believe in him as a manager to succeed here, and it's about when that clicks, fans will then will start to get excited about how we're playing for results.

"It's a new way of playing, in possession and out of possession, I think stuff takes time.

" It's not the same exact XI from last year. We have new players coming in as well. It's about them learning and the players that were here last year the same as well. So, it's just a matter of time."

On how new manager Graham Alexander has been reacting to the poor results, Devine said: "I think the same as us. It's disappointing for everyone.

"Nobody wants to be in the position we're in. He believes in us as a group, we believe in what he's trying to do. It's just a matter of time before it all comes together."

Alfie Devine on his £6m price tag

Devine enjoyed a fantastic season on loan at Deepdale last time out, with his eight goals and eight assists making the club desperate to bring him back permanently.

After a dramatic race, he was eventually signed for a fee believed to be around £6m, obliterating the previous transfer record.

Yet, it's not something Devine concerns himself with.

"No," he said when asked if there was any added pressure from being a record signing.

"There's always going to be different opinions about it. That's fine.

"Everyone's entitled to their own opinion on what went on with the transfer and how much, beginning of this season. That's totally fine, it's what you expect.

"But for me, it's just about getting back to the form I was in last year and hoping that helps the team."

Devine scored the first goal of Alexander's reign in the 4-1 loss at Wrexham and the aim is to keep them coming.

He added: "It was a good feeling. I'm hoping that's what I needed to kick on now."