It wasn't supposed to be this way. The appointment of Darren Ferguson was supposed to herald a new era - and a crack at gaining promotion to the Premier League. Indeed, only seven points seperated Blackpool and Preston at the time of Ferguson's arrival. With the playoffs only seven points away, a late push wasn't inconcievable under a man who had built a reputation for building teams that play football in an attacking, attractive manner.
It was a brand of football that served him well at Peterborough - Posh managed two consecutive promotions under Ferguson's watch with free-flowing football that had the likes of Aaron McLean and George Boyd flourishing. Things became more difficult in the Championship, however, and after taking Posh to the bottom of the table with eleven points from sixteen games, Ferguson was relieved of his duties.
Ferguson achieved two consecutive promotions at Peterborough.Now at Preston, it appears he hasn't learned his lesson. The Championship is an unforgiving league, and his team will have to learn quickly if they're to prosper.
The stats make grim reading for Preston fans. Upon taking over the Lilywhites at the halfway point of the 2009/10 season - Ferguson's Preston side sat bottom of the form table at the season's end. A late push for the playoffs had been talked about when Ferguson arrived. It never materialized, and the season ended with his side sealing survival with just three games to spare.
The club's defensive record leaves cause for concern too. An average of two goals conceded per game during Ferguson's tenure reflects a need to tighten up defensively - any further unwillingness to compromise his free-flowing style will leave Preston struggle to keep things tight at their own end, as Saturday's 4-0 defeat away to Swansea will testify to. A 4-4-2 formation with two attacking wingers won't cut it away from home. Preston must be more pragmatic on their travels.
Moreover, his transfer policy has divided the Preston fanbase. Admittedly, cuts did need to be made after the club was hit with a winding up order, but departures of key players such as Youl Mawene and Ross Wallace left the squad needing a huge overhaul during the summer, something Ferguson was keen to do. Not afraid to do things his way, a reliance on young and vibrant footballers has left the squad lacking experience and quality as things stand.
Ross Wallace was one of many players to leave Deepdale this summer.All signs point to Ferguson being given a bit of time yet, however. Fans will always appreciate their own young players being given a chance, and as Kevin Blackwell found to his cost, it's much easier to be given time when you're playing an attractive brand of football. His father's links with chairman Trevor Hemmings will see him given an opportunity to turn things round too.
And with the season just two games old, there's plenty of time for Ferguson to do just that. Portsmouth travel to Deepdale on Saturday - a match already being billed by many as a potentially huge game in both teams seasons. In the long-term, though, a change of tactics and style may be what's required, or Preston fans will be demanding changes of their own.
(theseventytwo.com)
