Preston North End seek wins to escape relegation zone

Summarised from 2 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 15:31 · Archive

Preston North End manager Graham Alexander says his team must win matches to move away from the Championship's bottom four.

Preston North End lost 3-2 to Sheffield United on Tuesday, their 11th defeat in 14 matches. The result leaves them nine points from the Championship's safety line, with promotion-chasing Southampton visiting Deepdale on Saturday.

Manager Graham Alexander told BBC Radio Lancashire that he does not focus on the league table or monitor how other struggling sides perform. "Looking at the table, whether the gap is three or eight points, the end result of that diagnosis is we have to win football matches," he said. He added that his mindset remains balanced regardless of position: "If you're at the top and thinking 'we're the bees knees' and drop your level you're not going to focus on the game, if you're bottom and thinking 'we're rubbish' you're not going to focus on the game."

Alexander acknowledged making a mistake with his team selection at Stoke City. He said his analysis showed Preston had changed formation 15 times in the 28 games before he arrived. "Trying to have a consistent formation, trying to be as consistent as possible for the players and with the players will give them the best option of producing their best performances," he said.

Johnny Kenny was forced off injured in the 13th minute against Sheffield United.

How it is being reported

• Alexander not focused on gap at the bottomPreston North End head coach Graham Alexander is not looking at the table, he tells BBC Radio Lancashire.BBC Lancashire · 5 Nov, 15:03
• Graham Alexander admits 'mistake' after coming to realisation about his Preston North End playersGraham Alexander has admitted he made a ‘mistake’ with his team selection at Stoke City.Chorley Guardian · 5 Nov, 06:02
• Graham Alexander gives injury update on Preston North End star Johnny KennyJohnny Kenny was forced off in the 13th minute against Sheffield United.Chorley Guardian · 4 Nov, 16:13
• Graham Alexander explains what it will take to stop setbacks being 'fatal' to Preston North EndPreston suffered another defeat on Tuesday, this time 3-2 to Sheffield United.Chorley Guardian · 4 Nov, 09:51
• Preston North End's same old failings in Sheffield United defeat leave club looking in one directionPreston North End lost 3-2 to Sheffield United on Tuesday night at Deepdale.Chorley Guardian · 3 Nov, 22:36
• Preston player ratings vs Sheffield United... 6.5/10 does well but defensive frailty costs North End againPreston North End were defeated once again by Sheffield United on Tuesday.Chorley Guardian · 3 Nov, 21:39

In this story: Preston North End · Graham Alexander · Sheffield United · Southampton · Stoke City · Johnny Kenny

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