2010-11 npower Championship Preview: Preston North End

Last updated : 03 August 2010 By Kevin Markey

















Geoff Ollerton, psg.me.uk



Having recently met our still-new manager Darren Ferguson at a fans' forum I'm feeling very positive about the coming season. He arrived only in January but has quickly overhauled the place. It looks like everything is in place for us to do very well compared to last season - I'd say a play-off place is likely.

Last season 17th Prediction 5th

The new boys I'm very happy with the transfer business so far, and we haven't finished yet. It's not just the players that Ferguson has brought in since he arrived that have pleased fans, it's the outgoings too. The new boss has cleansed the club of most of the wasters we were lumbered with and is slowly building a team of players who really want to play for him and the club.

Men to watch With so many new faces in the team this season it's difficult to say who will be the stars. Matt James, back on loan again from Manchester United, should be up there with the best, and so too will Paul Coutts, who signed from Peterborough in January. Also worth watching is Keith Treacy, who joined in February from Blackburn.

Best youngsters Former youth teamers Adam Barton and Danny Mayor are already establishing themselves in the first-team squad. Both could make a real impact this season.

Target for the boo-boys It's almost possible to predict who'll get it this season because the manager has removed so much of the dead wood. But I'd say that if Chris Brown is used regularly then he could well be the one.

Hate figure Preston fans hate everything about Blackpool. Everything. Burnley are a close second.

Going up Middlesbrough, Sheffield Utd, Preston
Going down Scunthorpe, Watford, Millwall

When Do We Meet?
Elland Road: 28 Sep 2010
Deepdale: 8 Mar 2011

Previous Positions:
2007-08: 15th
2008-09: 6th
2009-10: 17th

Odds
Promotion: 13/1
Relegation: 7/2

First Team Squad (As of 7 May 2010.)

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.PositionPlayer
1EnglandGKAndrew Lonergan
2WalesDFCraig Morgan
3ScotlandDFCallum Davidson (captain)
4Republic of IrelandDFSean St Ledger
5EnglandDFWayne Brown
6EnglandMFMatthew James (on loan from Manchester United)
7ScotlandMFPaul Coutts
8EnglandFWPaul Hayes
9EnglandFWChris Brown
10ScotlandMFBarry Nicholson
11Republic of IrelandMFKeith Treacy
12ScotlandDFDavid Gray
13EnglandGKAndreas Arestidou
14EnglandMFDanny Mayor
15Northern IrelandMFAdam Barton
No.PositionPlayer
17WalesMFPaul Parry
19EnglandDFBilly Jones
22Republic of IrelandGKWayne Henderson
26EnglandFWJon Parkin
29Republic of IrelandFWStephen Elliott
30Northern IrelandFWJamie Douglas
31EnglandDFDominic Collins
32WalesDFSam Hart
34EnglandMFRichard Chaplow
36Northern IrelandMFNeil Dougan
37Northern IrelandDFConor McLaughlin
38EnglandFWJamie Proctor
39EnglandMFGeorge Miller
40EnglandDFNeal Trotman
41EnglandMFDarren Carter