'Just don't see' - Preston North End prediction issued by former Wrexham and Nottingham Forest man
PNE have lost their last four Championship matches
Former Preston North End striker Brett Ormerod does not believe his old club will be sucked into relegation trouble.
The Lilywhites have plummeted down the Championship table over the last couple of months, having been in the top four on January 4. Paul Heckingbottom’s side have won one of their last 12 matches, drawing three and losing eight.
After defeat at Norwich City, last weekend, the PNE boss said it would ‘100 per cent’ be naive to assume safety was secured. Last campaign, a poor end to the season saw North End dragged into a final day fight for survival at Bristol City.
Ormerod, who played 68 games for Preston and scored 14 goals, knows just how big of a challenge it will be to rediscover form over the next few weeks. However, he has little fear for the Deepdale club when it comes to the drop.
Speaking to BBC Lancashire on Monday, Ormerod said: "You can only say it is freefall. The Championship, because it is such a close league, you probably freefall more than you might in League One or League Two.
“Preston fans will be so frustrated because you get to January, you've got through Christmas and you are up there, thinking there is certainly a chance of competing for a play-off place.
“Paul Heckingbottom must be scratching his head. Confidence and form are massive things. It's hard to turn it back on if you are down there and your confidence is shot to bits. I think Preston have got enough.
“They might need 53 points, but I just don't see the others winning enough games. I do think they are safe but it's just about turning it around, finishing on a positive and giving their fans something to cheer. It has been a disappointing 2026 so far."