Scott Sinclair explains Preston North End struggles after Alex Neil departure

Scott Sinclair says he struggled to 'find his feet' when asked to play in a central attacking position at Preston North End.

The former Manchester City winger and Team GB Olympian joined Preston in January 2020 and quickly made an impression, with three goals in 18 games after the season was cast into turmoil by the pandemic.

However, it was in his first full season in which he truly shined, bagging nine goals in 37 Championship fixtures and finishing as the club's leading goal scorer.

Alex Neil deployed Sinclair on the left side of attack in a 4-3-3 formation, which suited him perfectly.

However, after Neil's departure in March 2021, Sinclair only scored for the club in one more game, a brace in a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Mansfield Town.

“I don’t think I really found my feet in that position”

With Neil's replacement, Frankie McAvoy, and then Ryan Lowe after him, utilising a 3-5-2 formation, there was no room for Sinclair to play in his favoured position, and he was instead used as a striker, which didn't suit him.

"When we changed from a 4-3-3, which Alex Neil used to play, my position in the team changed," he told The Post, thanks to Andy's Bet Club.

"I used to slot in very well in that system, playing on the left to cut inside and my first full season with Preston was great for me.

"I think I was the top goal scorer that year but Frankie took over and went to a back five so I could only really slot it as a striker or just behind the striker.

"It was free-flowing football, but I don’t think I really found my feet in that position. Ryan Lowe then came in, and I respected his style and how he wanted to play, but I was then in and out of the team which was unfortunate."

Sinclair reflects on missing out on the Play-Offs with Preston

Sinclair was released at the end of his contract in 2022 and signed for his first club, Bristol Rovers, where he stayed for three seasons before handing up the boots.

Reflecting on the 2019-20 season in which Preston came close to finally finishing in the Play-Offs as they finished just five points away in 9th place, he said: "We just missed out by a few points if I can remember correctly.

"I think we had an exceptional team that season, strong in defence, creative in midfield and exciting going forward.

"Preston always have a strong team, but there have been a lot of mid-table finishes. I think that was as close as I came to the Play-Offs during my time there.

"It was disappointing to miss out, but we just fell short at the end of the season. It was unfortunate as who knows what might’ve happened."