The PNE legend unveiled a North End themed locomotive on Tuesday afternoon
Former Preston North End manager David Moyes hopes to see the Lilywhites back in play-off contention next season.
During the first half of the current campaign, the Lilywhites were regularly in and among the top six of the second tier. However, a poor run of form saw Paul Heckingbottom’s side slide down the table.
With seven matches left to play, PNE occupy 13th spot heading into their Easter double-header against Leicester City and QPR. Moyes always keeps an eye on the club he represented, both as a player and manager.
This campaign, though, there was added interest after the Everton boss sent midfielder Harrison Armstrong on loan to Deepdale. He impressed during his stint at Preston but had to be recalled at the start of January.
Moyes, afterunveiling a PNE themed locomotive at Preston station on Tuesday, spoke to the Lancashire Post about that decision and the Lilywhites’ season. The Scot assured he would’ve loved to keep Armstrong where he was, but had little choice in the end.
“Harrison was great and I'm disappointed that I had to bring him back,” Moyes told the Lancashire Post. “When you look at how short of players we were over January... we didn't make any signings in January, we brought one player (in) on loan.
“So, it was difficult for us really deal without him. I know he'd done so well. I think it's just been disappointing that they’ve maybe just not done as well in the second half. But, I think Paul has done a brilliant job and I think they'll be stronger next year, if they get the chance to go again.”
Moyes was manager of Preston from 1998 to 2002, winning the Division Two title in 2000. He came within 90 minutes of guiding the club to the Premier League, but North End were edged by Bolton Wanderers in the 2001 play-off final.
PNE are still trying to achieve what Moyes and co came so close to doing, almost 25 years ago. While he has spent the majority of time ever since in the English top flight, Moyes is well aware of the challenge Preston face in this day and age.
“It's certainly getting tougher because of how it's gone,” said Moyes. “You can't underestimate how difficult it is to get out of the Championship. I think this year they've done so well, certainly in the early part of the season. Let's hope that if it's not this season, we try and do it again next season.”
Moyes makes atmosphere point
It is often a topic of debate among North End supporters, with many hoping to see the Deepdale atmosphere improve on a match day. From his time in the dugout, Moyes only reflects on home games fondly in that regard. But, he definitely doesn’t believe it is just a PNE issue in today’s world.
“I’ve got to say, I think there's a lot of football grounds in this country that do not have the atmosphere people think,” said Moyes. “You shouldn't for a minute think that it's just Deepdale where that's happening. I think there's a change.
“Obviously, people want Preston to get close to the Premier League - they want it to be challenging. I think when you're there you'll sense a big difference, getting closer to it. Certainly, the support when I was there was fantastic.
“I think the generation of North End supporters who saw us come through the lower divisions... when you think how low we were, sometimes don't forget that because it's not easy coming through and being in the Championship.
“Sometimes, until you go out of the Championship you think, ‘Right, maybe that was great’. I hope that we can make it but the atmosphere will pick up as soon as the team starts to get closer. There's much, much more people coming in. We need Deepdale to get to the Premier League.”
Continue Reading