Jordan Storey draws on 2018 experience in Preston relegation fight

Preston defender Jordan Storey believes the squad can avoid relegation, drawing on his experience from the 2018 season after a heavy loss to Wrexham.

Jordan Storey says Preston North End can pull themselves out of early-season relegation trouble, drawing on his experience from a similar fight eight years ago. The defender's comments come after a 4-1 defeat at Wrexham on Saturday left the Lilywhites rock bottom of the Championship with just four points from eleven games.

Storey, who joined the club in 2018, pointed to that season as proof a recovery is possible. After 11 games that year, Preston were also bottom with six points, just three from safety. By game 13 they had climbed out of the drop zone and eventually finished 14th. He said he fully believes the current group can turn the tide again by tidying up basic errors and maintaining their effort.

Current crisis laid bare

The loss at the Racecourse Ground extended a dire run of form under new manager Graham Alexander. Preston have lost all three games since his appointment by an aggregate score of 9-1. They have now gone 27 league matches without a clean sheet, equalling a club record set in the 1969-70 season.

Storey acknowledged the defensive record is a major concern. He said it has been too long since the team kept a clean sheet, a point of pride for defenders and goalkeepers, and that there have been times this season where games should have been seen out. The numbers are stark: Preston have conceded 24 goals already, the worst defensive record in the division, and are on course to ship over 100 on current form.

Alfie Devine's goal in Wales, his first since March, was a rare bright spot and the first scored under Alexander. But it was quickly overshadowed as Wrexham, featuring former Preston midfielder Ben Whiteman who scored his first for the club, ran out comfortable winners. The defeat followed a 4-0 loss at Birmingham and a 1-0 home defeat to Millwall.

Call for honesty and basics

Storey revealed the squad has already held honest conversations about how to improve. He said the team has good quality players but has been getting tied up on basics and punished for little errors and sloppiness. He hopes the fans at Deepdale can see the effort is there, but stressed that strong personalities are now needed to help handle the situation.

The immediate focus turns to halting the slide. The next opportunity comes this Saturday at home to West Bromwich Albion, who are fifth in the table. Storey said the main thing on everyone's mind is getting three points, no matter how they are achieved. Preston's fixtures show a key run of games ahead, starting with that match against the Baggies.