One month of Preston North End's 2024/25 season already stands out as fixtures released

It’s a day that always generates interest up and down the country, as football fans learn their club’s fixtures and subsequently start to make plans for those nine months. The staple days in the football calendar are always checked out first - opening day, derby dates, the final day, Easter and festive fixtures. But, there is always a run or two which sticks out when glancing through - from August to May.

And for Preston North End, the month of February is one of them. It starts away to Blackburn Rovers, and then the Lilywhites host Millwall - a club who’ve been a real bogey side in recent years for PNE. The turnaround is quick, for the long midweek trip down to Norwich City, before another Lancashire derby at home to Burnley. February finishes off at Coventry City, whom many will fancy to go well under the impressive Mark Robins.

Derby encounters often have shades of knockout matches - decided on moments, with very little in them as two teams are desperate to win but not lose. North End found the magical moment, deep into last year’s match at Ewood Park. After guiding them to safety, manager John Eustace will no doubt be looking to build a tougher, more resilient Rovers. Preston will know what to expect against Millwall, but beating them is another matter.

Norwich, meanwhile, are starting a new era under Danish coach Johannes Hoff Thorup - so the Canaries are somewhat of an unknown entity at this stage. A trip to Carrow Road, though, is rarely a breeze. Burnley are yet to replace Vincent Kompany and the Clarets will do well to replicate their last season in the Championship - when they cruised to the title. But, Preston will need to stand up and be counted on that night for sure.

Coventry away was PNE’s best performance last season, as Ryan Lowe’s side went there and beat a bang in-form side three-nil. You can bet the Sky Blues have remembered that and will be out for revenge. So, a tough month on paper, but an opportunity all the same - and obviously, it’s a long way away yet.

There’s a lot of football to be played and business done before then, and you can guarantee that Lowe and co will not be looking much - if any - further than the first few games. Preston finished 10th last season, but their end to the season was dismal. Supporters won’t have forgotten that, nor the alarming run North End went on from September to December.

Therefore, it’s certainly important that PNE start well - more in terms of performance than anything, to reenergise and rally the fan base. More consistency is needed. Sheffield United at home, on Friday night, is an ideal occasion to kick things off with. That is Preston thrust straight into things; you would hope to see North End aggressive and intense in their work.

There will be a bumper crowd and atmosphere should be no issue either, with a sold-out away end expected and 11 thousand plus season cards shifted. It’s the manager’s fourth season in charge and third full one at Deepdale; Lowe will be well aware that a poor start will likely bring plenty of pressure. Sheffield United, Swansea, Luton, Oxford and Middlesbrough are the first five up - a nice variety of opponents, who should put PNE to the test straight away.