Football Season Guide

After starting last season slowly, Preston fans turned on manager Frankie McAvoy, who was sacked and replaced by Plymouth Argyle boss Ryan Lowe in December. Lowe instilled an entertaining possession-based style and improved results overall, but Preston remained inconsistent in parts and finished 13th. A lot of fringe players have been cleared out by Lowe in the summer so far, whilst important players Iversen, Van den Berg and Archer have all exited Deepdale upon the end of their loan spells. Lowe remains keen to bring either Archer or Callum Robinson back to the club in order to provide some much needed support for Emil Riis up front - last season's top goalscorer by some distance. Woodman and Brady are impressive acquisitions for this level, but Preston are yet to replace Van den Berg or Archer and remain short of options in the wing-back areas - which are key in Lowe's preferred 3-5-2 setup. In Browne, Whiteman, Ledson, McCann and Johnson, Preston boast an excellent central midfield, as well as a quality striker at this level in the form of Riis, whilst possessing an exciting young manager with an attractive philosophy. However, Lowe could struggle to implement his style without some desperately required additions - in attack and in the wing-back areas.