Even though they are down in 18th in the Championship this season, most would recognise that Preston and Alex Neil have had a lot of bad luck this season.

Several key players have been missing, whilst they have always been playing catch up after a slow start.

However, the Scotsman is still seen as the ideal manager for North End after a superb 7th placed finish last season, where they ended up just two points outside the play-offs.

What's more, Neil has done this on a relatively tiny budget in comparison to some of his Championship rivals.

His recruitment has been very good on the whole since he was appointed, with a focus on finding hidden gems in the lower leagues.

Thee hope is that Brad Potts and Jayden Stockley can be two of the latest talents to handle the step up to the second-tier with ease.

And, it's an approach that's worked, with North End a vibrant, energetic side that are very tough to play against when they are on form.

Of course, the frustration this season is that they haven't been able to build on the superb campaign they had last time out, but most recognise that Neil is building a very good side at Deepdale and with time he could have them competing near the top again.

So, that got us thinking how the former Norwich man was received when he arrived at the club.

He had a big job on his hands to replace Simon Grayson in 2017, but there was a lot of support for Neil and those fans who backed him will be pleased as to how things have turned out...