Kevin Phillips names Preston North End's chances of staying in the Championship this season
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Preston are rock bottom of the Championship.
Kevin Phillips fears this could be the season Preston North End succumb to relegation, but he has given them a fighting chance of survival.
The outlook is not a bright one for Preston. Not just because the winter gloom is setting in, but rather because only four points have been earned after 11 games.
Fans are fearing the worst and Graham Alexander has not yet been able to turn results around after his opening three games.
North End are the basement dwellers of the Championship, already an effective six points away from safety due to inferior goal difference.
Though Alexander and the players still believe it can be turned around, Phillips is not as optimistic.
"Preston have been flirting with relegation over the years and finishing mid-table," Phillips told the Post, on behalf of BestBettingSites.co.uk.
"I think this could potentially be the season where they fall through the trapdoor, because when you flirt with it for so long, it ends up biting you in the backside.
"So I'd probably give them a 20% chance, 25%. I'm going to give them a bit of a chance.
"But they need points on the board; they need players in in January to give it a good run in the second half of the season. Once you're in that bottom three, it's very, very tough to get out of."
Preston are considering bringing a signing in before the transfer window opens, with Alexander reveal possible free agent additions are being considered.
Kevin Phillips on Graham Alexander
Preston's next chance to get some desperately-needed points on the board comes on Saturday, with West Brom visiting Deepdale.
It will be another tough game, though, with the Baggies currently sitting in 5th place having won their last two games late-on despite going behind.
"It's been really, really tough," Phillips added when asked for his thoughts on Alexander.
"Graham knew when he took that job that it was going to be a tough uphill task, and I think since he's been in, they've conceded nine goals. They haven't won.
"It's a tough gig, and I think it's going to be like that for the rest of the season. “
He continued: "He might be able to bring a few in in January, but something needs to turn around, and Graham will be trying everything.
"So it's been a real, real tough start.
"He's a legend going back to the football club, but you can park that now; he's got a job to do. And it doesn't get any tougher than playing West Brom at home, who are a very, very good team."