PNE signed three new players in the transfer window

Preston North End had a busy end to the transfer window with three signings made in the final five days.

Milos Lukovic was loaned in from Strasbourg and on transfer deadline day, manager Paul Heckingbottom signed Andrew Moran and Callum Lang on permanent deals. On the outgoing front, Stefan Thordarson and Mads Frokjaer departed while Will Keane was loaned out to Reading.

Harrison Armstrong was recalled by Everton on January 1 and in the end, David Moyes opted against sending him back to Deepdale. With three in and four out and a ‘club record’ fee paid to Portsmouth for Lang, we asked the PNE faithful to rate the Lilywhites’ window out of 10.

North End faithful deliver verdicts

@iampav: A high 7. On a numerical and footballing basis, we're shorter and lost some known quantities. Financially though it seems we've done well. The players in are a good mix and it'll be interesting how they fit in. Breaking a transfer record is bold. Positive stuff.

@pne_ste: 6. Didn't replace Thordarson which leaves us short and we were crying out for a LCB since Hughes injured. Record signing a good player but dubious injury record.

@jimshuttle: 5. Lost flair players and a decent bit-part goal scorer. Unsure on the incoming players. Feel like we're weaker than in December.

@GarethLivesey95: 7. Don’t really know too much about any of our signings. All have potential to be good signings but losing Armstrong is a big blow. Mads going too is a loss. 4 out and 3 in doesn’t really leave us stronger as a whole but I think we have upgraded from Thordarson and Keane.

@079_jones: 8/9. The team offensively had gone poor. These players could change it. The stats show these players have quality. If Lukovic and Lang (hoping he keeps fit) add physicality this should really help the team also. Hopefully goes good!

@TheRealfarmer1: 8. Shipped out some deadwood and replaced with better quality. Apart from Armstrong which was out of the clubs hands. How a window should be.

@dtw_writes_95: Just about salvaged it to a 7 at the death. It looked for the longest time as if we were going to come out weaker than when we went in and I think we've maybe just about managed to break even on that.

@vimmatu: 6/10 for me. Question marks against all of the new signings. Lukovic is untried at Championship level. Lang is good but a major injury concern. Moran not blossomed at Champ level yet. It’s hard to argue the squad is stronger now when you consider Armstrong has gone too.

@trigs30: 7. Mads was good and really liked him, but seemed to have lost his mojo. Thordarson just didn't settle. Bought two attacking midfielders who can press, which is clearly Hecky’s style.

Dave Nelson: Overall about 8 out of 10. It is so refreshing for PNE to actually be active, actually feature in the transfer period! The ‘ins and outs’ can only be seen as a positive very much indicating the motivation, impetus to improve the team.

George Goodier: I’m feeling positive overall. We need to see the new players in action and they will need time to settle into the PH way. As much as I enjoyed watching Mads & Thor play I always felt they were too lightweight for the Championship: I wish them both well. The going rate will always be the going rate regardless of what we might think. PH is not one for jumping up and down shouting the odds; he just gets on with things. Overall I think the squad is stronger. 7/10 from me.

Trevor Dunderdale: 6/7. On paper, some good looking additions and some deadwood gone. Will reserve final judgement until l've watched them play a few games.

Andrew Gutteridge: 6.5. Both permaneant signings on paper seem a risk. One returning from an injury, the other not done much recently. Great to see we are buying players though and not relying solely on loan players. Lets see how our coaches and physio work their magic. So a lowish score, but with lots of optimism.

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