Preston struggled at the beginning of the season picking up only one victory in their first seven games.
When reflecting on this bad start Preston North End midfielder Darren Carter said: "The confidence and the atmosphere around the place was rock bottom.
"when there's no banter flying around, no one really bubbling about the place it carries on to a Saturday, you go into the game on that low. There were points before Christmas where you thought , where do you go from here?"
Manager Paul Simpson was released from his position on the 13th November after only being able to guide Preston to two furthur victories.
Alan Irvine
A week later and Alan Irvine was appointed manager. Irvine had received one of the best apprenticeships in the game working at both Blackburn and Newcastle as Academy Director bringing through players like England Under 21 defender Steven Taylor. More recently Irvine had been Assistant Manager at Everton since 2002 during their most successful spell since the Premiership began.
Irvine is the latest in a long line of Scots to manage Preston including David Moyes, Craig Brown and Billy Davies. Preston fans were hoping he could be just as succesful as his fellow countrymen had been during their time at the club.
Irvine soon got to work trying to change the way the training and match preparation was carried out in order to bring it up to the high standards he had set for himself at Everton. He also set an ambitious target of 54 points for his team to reach to make them safe from relegation.
After three straight defeats Irvine got his first win as Preston manager beating Hull 3-0 at Deepdale with goals from Agyemang, Whaley and Neal. However this win was followed with a 1-0 defeat at home to bitter local rivals Blackpool who had been promoted to the Championship that season. The result left Preston second from bottom after 21 games played and eyebrows were starting to be raised over whether Preston had any chance of acheiving the target the manager had set.
A week later and Alan Irvine was appointed manager. Irvine had received one of the best apprenticeships in the game working at both Blackburn and Newcastle as Academy Director bringing through players like England Under 21 defender Steven Taylor. More recently Irvine had been Assistant Manager at Everton since 2002 during their most successful spell since the Premiership began.
Irvine is the latest in a long line of Scots to manage Preston including David Moyes, Craig Brown and Billy Davies. Preston fans were hoping he could be just as succesful as his fellow countrymen had been during their time at the club.
Irvine soon got to work trying to change the way the training and match preparation was carried out in order to bring it up to the high standards he had set for himself at Everton. He also set an ambitious target of 54 points for his team to reach to make them safe from relegation.
After three straight defeats Irvine got his first win as Preston manager beating Hull 3-0 at Deepdale with goals from Agyemang, Whaley and Neal. However this win was followed with a 1-0 defeat at home to bitter local rivals Blackpool who had been promoted to the Championship that season. The result left Preston second from bottom after 21 games played and eyebrows were starting to be raised over whether Preston had any chance of acheiving the target the manager had set.
Revival
However the derby defeat led to a team revival and North End won their next three games including a satisfying 3-2 victory over another bitter local rival Burnley away at Turf Moor.
In the second half of the season the revival was complete and Preston hit an excellent run of form.
So what led to the turn around? Daren carter said: "A relisation that things could really go bad this year. Everyone came together and said 'we've got to get ourselves out of this, we've got to be right on the pitch and do everything right on the training ground.' When the gaffer came in he organised everything, preperation for games has never been so good."
Preston enjoyed victories over promotion chasing Stoke, Charlton and Wolves before completing the double over Burnley, winning 2-1 at Deepdale.
Target reached
Preston reached their 54 point target with a 2-2 draw away at QPR although they were dissapointed not to win the game after conceeding two late goals in extra time.
They will not be losing any of their focus yet though, Alan Irvine said: "We're on top of the form guide since the 12th of January with Hull and the target is for us to stay there,
"We've got two home games remaining and we'd love to win the two of them."
Fans Opinion
The Preston North End Fans didn't hessitate to give their opinion on Preston's season via the 606 forum. MisterMajestic wrote: "Irvine is and has been fantastic. A likeable guy but also very intelligent when it comes to the beautiful game. He knew exactly what was needed when he came in and took the players right back to basics. Brown was a very astute signing and by all accounts so is Trotman. Next season I'm hoping for Promotion to the Premier League! Come on whites!!!"
Steady said: "I've found this season really hard work! Alan Irvine has done a fantastic job and full credit to the players for taking in and responding to his ideas and methods. Needless to say I'm more optimistic about the next campaign!"
Thisyearsformeandyou enthusiastically posted: "I have loved this season! The intrigue, the comings and goings, ups and downs. It has been bizarre and enthralling.
"There were moments when I despaired (Cardiff - second half!!), moments of intensity (WBA - 2-1), moments of excitement (Southampton 5-1) and moments of pride (many, especially, Sheff Utd 3-1).
"Yes, of course I would have preferred to have won more games and been top of the league, but I think that history will tell that this season was a turning for the club. We were not ready for great things, we're still not but I believe that we will be, sooner rather than later.
"Alan Irvine is the best possible thing that could have happened to PNE. Before he came it was hard to see where we were going - no-one had even mentioned his name as a likely candidate, but Derek Shaw obviously had his eye on him and what a fantastic appointment. For all his faults, even his most hardened critic must credit Shaw for appointing Irvine.
"Next season I wish for patience from everyone - however good a manger Irvine is it still takes time to build a good team that is capable, not just of getting into the premiership, but to stay there as well.
"The future is bright! Up the lilywhites!"
