Exclusive:Preston North End Q&A: Lack of transfer activity, backing for Heckingbottom, striker search and statements
Our latest Lilywhites Q&A ahead of the January transfer window closing next week
James Paton: Are we going to get a striker to replace Keano before the end of the transfer window?
That’s the hope, James. Paul Heckingbottom actually said he wanted two attacking players in before the end of the window but at this stage you’d take even one. The manager also mentioned that Stefan Thordarson and Keane were let go on the assumption they would be replaced. While Keane wasn’t starting games for Preston, he’s an experienced forward who came up with the goods late on against Norwich. North End have now gone three league games a striker light.
Aloysius Broon: 04/05 Billy Davies wasn't backed, is history repeating itself?
It’s a more than fair comment. While North End were under different ownership back then, the current situation feels all too familiar. Alex Neil also had the Lilywhites in a strong position around this time of the season, twice, but didn’t get the backing he probably needed to get PNE over the line - or at least into the play-offs. The frustration at the moment is a result of how well Paul Heckingbottom and co have done in the first half of the season. In a campaign many expected to be extremely challenging, he had Preston fourth after the win at Bristol City - a mere 23 days ago.
Glenners: If an extra 6 mil has been promised where are the new signings to strengthen the team? We've let a few go and not replaced any of them... time is ticking along 6 or 7 days until this window closes.
This is referring to the statement made via the club website this week, which featured the line: ‘The Hemmings family has already committed to invest a further £6 million (in addition to the £7 million already invested this season) over the remaining four months of the season in support of the most expensively assembled squad in our history as we strive for promotion to the Premier League.’
Obviously, this is more money but not extra, if that makes sense. For the last few years, the Hemmings family have been putting c£12-13m to run the club. So, £6m in addition to the £7m is making up that figure once again. While there has to be gratitude for that, it’s to cover costs and get North End through the season, as opposed to presenting them with extra opportunities in the transfer market.
Carl Jopson: If the board and owners (have) ambition for Premier league, this has been the best chance for a long time. Where are the signings to strengthen, to help the squad get to the promised land? Times ticking. Back the manager.
More of a rhetorical question from Carl, but words which will no doubt resonate with many North End supporters. If not now, when? We wrote a piece along those lines earlier this month. It would be a massive shame to look back on this window with regret; there’s a week to prevent that from being the case.
One interesting factor at play now is the discussions with US-born Saudi businessman, Amr Zedan. PNE chairman Ian Penrose told us this week that the ‘process is in its early stages and is ongoing’ while outlining the Board’s intention to ‘conclude negotiations at the earliest opportunity’. Clearly, there are things bubbling away in the background. It’s reasonable to ponder whether those active talks have had an impact on North End’s transfer window, in terms of added backing.
Young John B: When will the club issue a statement without a dig at supporters?
Another reference to this week’s statement, which included the line: ‘The club does not ordinarily comment on rumour and speculation, but we note the article on Sky News published on Saturday. Unfortunately, without the full facts, there has already been abuse on social media, targeted at both the PNE Board and the owners.’
John is certainly not the only person to raise such a point. On one hand, anyone injecting the aforementioned sums of money may well take issue with a barrage of flak. On the other hand, you will struggle to find any football club where those in the limelight escape it all together. In a world where footballers are advised to ignore social media, powers that be would probably benefit from doing the same.
It’s quite evident that the PNE hierarchy are well across everything being said online. Of course, it’s good to be in tune with the general mood but if you’re looking for it you best have a thick skin. There is also the argument of a vocal minority - fans on social media do not represent the entire supporter base. Those who are grateful, or even those who just have no real issue, most likely aren’t posting their thoughts for all to see.
Ian Clement: Why do our players very rarely shoot and if they do, they miss the target? Do we not practice this? Every other team we play attack and try and score - we would rather pass all the way in front of the box, pass down the wing and do an awful cross.
An interesting one from Ian. Having looked into the stats, PNE are 19th in the division for shots and 18th for shots on target. For shots on target percentage they are 10th in the Championship. So, North End aren’t having many efforts compared to the rest of the division but their overall accuracy isn’t poor. It’s not something I felt in the first few months of the season but I understand why Ian raises it now.
In recent weeks, Preston have felt guilty of playing for the sake of it at times - trying to look a nice side without really going anywhere. Recent history tells us that North End are a better side without the ball and after a strong first half of the season, teams may well have figured out how to stop the Lilywhites. That is why Paul Heckingbottom is desperate to boost his options, particularly in attack.
Also, purely off personnel it’s not a great surprise to see PNE struggle for creativity. We have seen Jamal Lewis, a full back, get the nod over Thierry Small in recent weeks. As direct as Pol Valentin can be, he is a defender as well. You then have a back three and, since the exit of Harrison Armstrong, at least two of Ben Whiteman, Jordan Thompson and Ali McCann.
In short, nullify Alfie Devine and Lewis Dobbin and you’ll probably go a long way to limiting the chances Preston create. It’s been a hugely frustrating month for a variety of reasons but it’s three weeks since that win at Bristol City. PNE simply haven’t become a poor team overnight. Whatever happens in the next week, everyone involved must strive to get back to the levels shown before this worrying wobble.