http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/pne-planning-for-the-premier-1-8823930
Alex Neil says the ongoing process of Preston extending their players’ contracts forms part of their push to reach the Premier League.Callum Robinson and Ben Pearson put pen to paper on new deals this week.
Seven players in total have signed new contracts since the end of June.
All have spoken about the ambition to reach the top flight, something which PNE boss Neil is driving.
Neil said: “I’m telling them that I want us to get into the Premier League.
“That is what our aim is, it is easier said than done but we all have a common goal and we all think it is achievable.That is what our aim is, it is easier said than done but we all have a common goal and we all think it is achievable.
“If we work hard towards that goal, you never know what can be done.”
The majority of the squad are contracted well beyond the end of this season.
Pearson’s new deal runs to June 2021, Robinson signing until the summer of 2020.
Calum Woods, Josh Earl, Alan Browne, Ben Davies and Tom Barkhuizen have signed extensions since the summer.
Going further back, Chris Maxwell agreed a new deal in March, while several renewals were done early last season.
“It is just looking after the future of the club in terms of keeping our good competitive squad together,” said Neil.
“We are also looking to add to the group as well.
“It is a great step forward for us to secure some of these lads for a few more years.
“When there are young players who have already shown their potential and what they are capable of, it is a bit of a no-brainer.
“Thankfully we have people in charge of the club who are looking further than next week, next month or even next season.
“I think whenever there is a strategy at a club, it has got to work from top to bottom, you have to plan further than this season or next season.
“If you don’t do that, you can find yourself in a situation where you have got your best players with their contracts running down .
“Ultimately at some stage you are going to lose them so you have to go and try and source replacements which can be difficult.
“It is just common sense but equally it is not rolled out across the leagues.
“We are a club who wants to move things forward, we have shown signs of improving this season and that will continue to be the case.
“Equally, if something does come up later, we will make a judgement with a business sense as well.
“The players understand that, however they see their development and immediate futures being here.”