New Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe got off to a winning start at Deepdale earlier in the month with a 2-1 victory over Barnsley. 

The Lilywhites, who parted company with Frankie McAvoy because of a struggling start to the campaign, appointed Ryan Lowe, an exciting young manager who has certainly lifted spirits at the club. 

Sitting seven points from the play-offs, and nine above the relegation zone, Preston are at risk of letting their season slip into mediocrity, but they do know that a good run of form could completely turn their objectives and fortunes. 

Preston midfielder Ryan Ledson has hailed the impact that Lowe has made since coming in at Deepdale and told the Lancashire Evening Post: “We needed that as a club, as a group of players, it was needed for the environment around the place.

“To a certain extent we needed a fresh start, a burst of energy and a revamp, a few new ideas.

“That is nothing against Frankie, he was brilliant for me and for a lot of lads. I spent four years with him, he was a great fella, everyone loved him here.

“We’ve gone our separate ways now and I wish him all the best. Managers leaving are one of the harsh realities of football.”

The verdict 

Lowe displayed his excellence with Plymouth Argyle, implementing a high-standard approach to football, whilst seeing his side operate at the top end of League One. 

The 43-year-old has certainly sparked some excitement and belief within Preston fans, with the tight nature of the Championship meaning that anything is still possible at this stage. 

It is good to see that the players are taking to him as well, sometimes when a manager comes in with new and contrasting ideas, it can be difficult to adapt to, but it seems quite the opposite at Deepdale.