Preston North End boss Alex Neil targets more deals to complete a good transfer window

Four players have come in so far this month and there is likely to be more business before Monday’s deadline.

With three players having gone out on loan, Neil senses a freshness about the squad.

In the past the PNE boss has not had a great love of the transfer window.

However, movement early in the window, and now it seems towards the end, has changed his opinion.

Neil told the Lancashire Post: “I don’t think we have had one as productive as this.

“I know we have signed players in the past but we probably needed to when we lost players like Jordan Hugill, Callum Robinson and Greg Cunningham.

“They needed to be replaced but what we have done this time is actively gone and added to the squad without having lost players currently – a lot of players are still in the building.

“I think that puts us in a position of strength in terms of we are the ones dictating the narrative of who we are going for, when they come in, which position they play.”

Neil thinks the incoming business might have helped keep some of the big-hitters on board.

Alan Browne signed a new contract earlier in the month and PNE hope Daniel Johnson will follow suit.

It could also be the case that Ben Davies stays around until the end of the season, the defender someone who could be hard to replace.

Said Neil: “Strangely bringing players in is more likely to mean players stay because they think the club is going the right way and are trying to improve .

“It is a strange dynamic, a difficult balance to strike but I think at the moment we have struck a good balance in what we have done.”

The window closes at 11pm on Monday which gives the scope for more business.

Neil is grateful for the backing Trevor Hemmings has given him in the window, saying the North End owner recognised what was needed.

“The simple fact is you need to get some money out,” said Neil.

“We can have all the chats we want, I can highlight as many players as I like, but ultimately the owner then needs to fund it.

“That part of it has been very forthcoming which is great because it has certainly made my job easier.

“We have lost or could lose some absolute pillars of our team and to be fair to the owner, he has recognised how disruptive that could be.

“What we have done is actively bring replacements in to make sure we are still in a strong position.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here