Preston North End head into the January transfer window with some work to do – but the build-up hasn’t been ideal for Ryan Lowe.
It’s been over three weeks since Preston last played a game. Remember that buzz from Lowe’s first game in charge, beating Barnsley 2-1 at Deepdale?
You would be forgiven for feeling like that win was months ago.
Since then, Preston have endured not one, not two but three consecutive postponements.
First, COVID-19 wreaked havoc in the Millwall camp. Then, Preston had their own problems with the virus and had to scrap games against Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion.
North End may have hoped that a few games before the January window would allow Lowe to assess the squad and figure out who he wants and doesn’t fancy.
Instead, Lowe heads into January with only training sessions to really base his opinions off. That one game against Barnsley is the only real competitive action he can work off.
Some decisions should be fairly easy regardless.
Connor Ripley and Josh Harrop are unlikely to have futures at Preston and may be moved on this month.
New deals for Paul Huntington and Joe Rafferty seem doubtful, so they could also be candidates to leave in this transfer window.
As for incomings, this isn’t so simple.
Fans want another striker, but Lowe hasn’t yet been able to see the likes of Ched Evans or Tom Barkhuizen in match action.
Another area of concern is left wing back. Josh Earl has been up and down of late and Greg Cunningham isn’t cut out for the role under Lowe, which involves playing high up on the left flank.
There may be other areas Lowe wants to improve, but the lack of matches just complicates his analysis of the squad ahead of this window.
There may be some players he doesn’t want to move on or replace without seeing them in game situations, with the aforementioned Evans a prime example amid links to Wigan Athletic.
It’s far from ideal for Lowe, but hopefully Preston can still make it out of January stronger than they head in even after the recent blows.