00:00 It's fair to say, I think if people were to make a prediction at the start of the season,
00:04 they would probably put Preston somewhere around about mid-table, I would have thought.
00:09 Steady championship outfit.
00:10 Last season we saw, very good at the back but couldn't score any goals.
00:17 That seems to have been rectified this season.
00:22 And now you've found yourself seven games in and top of the table.
00:26 What has been the difference?
00:28 I think the summer business has been really good at the club.
00:33 I don't think the goal threat was there last season.
00:36 You mentioned the clean sheets and stuff, which is great.
00:38 But Preston didn't have enough players in the team capable of scoring goals.
00:42 And I've seen a stat yesterday.
00:44 I think from the summer signings already, there's been 10 goals and seven assists,
00:49 which is just brilliant.
00:50 There wasn't much optimism heading into the season.
00:53 If anything, I think fans were a bit worried that maybe the league looks tougher than ever.
00:58 Maybe we'll be down there for the first time since coming up in eight years or whatever.
01:03 But to be top of the league is just incredible.
01:05 And a couple of favourable fixtures coming up, I would say.
01:10 And if Preston can be still up there by October,
01:13 you just don't know what they can go on to do.
01:16 But it's very much one game at a time, I think.
01:18 We're going to go into that in a minute.
01:22 Because I can tell you what, we're going to do it now.
01:26 And I really don't want to be disparaging here.
01:28 However, having looked at the results that Preston have had so far,
01:32 there haven't been many huge challenges.
01:36 If you look at who they've played, Sunderland probably the best of them, maybe.
01:43 Obviously, the biggest challenges are ahead.
01:48 But there's nothing wrong with that, really, is there?
01:51 Because I think if you talk to any team,
01:53 building up momentum at the start of the season is a really important thing to do.
01:57 Yes, and sometimes those games that look easier have been where Preston have struggled.
02:03 In recent years, going to the big boys sometimes, when they come flying at you,
02:07 it can suit Preston to hit on transition and stuff.
02:09 But I think Sunderland was a big win, yes.
02:12 I think a lot of people fancied them to go well.
02:14 Going to Stoke and winning felt really good at the time.
02:17 And yes, it's been really good.
02:20 Four-two-one wins.
02:21 So Preston are just finding that little edge.
02:23 I don't think their underlying numbers are anything amazing.
02:27 But I just think early points are priceless because it means Preston can afford maybe
02:30 to have a little blip and they could still find themselves in the seventh point clear
02:34 of seventh already.
02:35 So, you know, if Preston end up in the playoffs, it'd be an unbelievable season.
02:39 I still don't think many people expect them to be there, including fans.
02:42 But why not?
02:44 Why not just see how it goes?
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