Preston boss Graham Alexander details 'honest' conversation with Alfie Devine before 'massive step forward'

Graham Alexander has shared details of an ‘honest’ conversation he had with Alfie Devine earlier this week about expectations and what he can improve upon for Preston North End, with the manager being left pleased by his response against Sheffield United.

Devine was sensational for Preston last season with eight goals and eight assists during his loan spell from Tottenham Hotspur, but has been unable to replicate that form since moving to Deepdale permanently for £6m.

However, Alexander has revealed he had an individual talk with the 22-year-old on Monday about what each of them can do to get the best out of him once more.

"I had a really good chat with Alfie on Monday about expectations," he told The Post ahead of Saturday's fixture with Southampton. "About the help he needs to channel his talent into a successful football career.

"Because I have the benefit of going through a 24-year playing career and then a management career and played with and managed a lot of successful footballers.

"So these individual communications, meetings, support, are all necessary to put a culture and environment in place that builds success.

"I wouldn't expect Alfie Devine to know absolutely everything about being a successful player and playing in a successful team. Why would he? He's 22.

"I didn't know that until I was 27, and I got here and discovered it, but it still took another couple of years of David Moyes being right on top of me to make it sink in. My persistence with players is for their benefit and the team's benefit. [It] will be unwavering."

Graham Alexander vows to continue being 'honest' with his players

Preston suffered yet another defeat on Tuesday, falling 3-2 to Sheffield United despite Leo Leroy scoring the opening goal within two minutes.

The promising start wasn’t enough and a first-half hat-trick from Sydie Peck, helped by a series of defensive errors, ensured North End went in at the break 3-1 down.

Alexander made two changes at half-time in an attempt to change the course of the match, with Devine also coming on just after the hour.

The playmaker hadn't started in two matches but made a positive impact, linking well with Andy Moran and Callum Lang, with all three combining for the latter's goal.

After talking about how important it is to have a competitive environment, with every player pushing their competition to start, Alexander pointed to Devine's display as a 'perfect case in point.'

"The honesty I talk to yous [media] with is the honesty I talk to my players with," he said.

"The chat I had on Monday was: You didn't play in the last game, but let's look at the structure of the week before, without going too detailed, these reasons and can we improve upon?

"I'm here to help him as a player but be in a successful team and a winning culture.

"I'm being the guy to him that someone was to me several times in my career by helping him understand what's needed to channel and harness your talent in a competitive sport. That's it.”

He continued: "It wasn't just his on-pitch performance I saw positive feedback from, it was how he was in the changing room, with his teammates, when he came on how engaged he was in the game and wanting to come on, be successful and help the team win.

"I don't have to talk about a player's talent, I think people have seen it in the past. But I haven't seen it myself since I've been here. I have to make judgement decisions myself, but I did see it last night.

"For me, that was a massive step forward for not only our team, but our culture getting better, people aware of training performances."

“It's my duty to actually be honest with them”

Alexander then explained how he sees it as his responsibility to be frank with his players in order for them to be the best they can be.

He added: "I'm aware of all the detail around it. It's my duty to actually be honest with them, but also believe in them and that's what I hopefully tried to get across to Alfie.

“I'm being honest with you now, but I do believe in you as a potentially successful footballer for the next 15, 20 years.

"Without those honest conversations, I'm not doing my job for him. I'm paid to do that job and if I abscond off my responsibility, then I'm not fit for purpose."