APART from a second half nightmare against Stoke City the start of this season has been a promising one for Preston North End.

Manager David Moyes has been able to keep a settled side and bring through some of his own players who have shone through the guidance of Moyes.

The big Finland goalkeeper, Tepi Moilanen has been instrumental in helping his team gain valuable points through the season.

We all know how important a good keeper is just by looking at another blond Scandinavia 40 miles down the road at Old Trafford.

Peter Schmeical has been massive for Manchester United and won the title for them in the 1996/97 season.

Stepping in front of the goalkeeper you have the all important defence.

I have always said that if you get an excellent back four then your in with a chance of winning anything.

Arsenal demonstrated this in last year's Premiership as they went on an amazing run of conceding one goal in ten matches.

Michael Jackson and Colin Murdock have been exceptional this season. Despite letting in eleven goals in a run of four games, between Stoke and Bristol Rovers, the young pair look to be improving.

Jackson was one of last season's best players and Murdock, the former Manchester United defender, is becoming a solid rock at the back.

They have been joined by the new signing Dominic Ludden, who I know has impressed a number of people at Deepdale, since he signed a contract in August.

Paul McKenna, still only 20-years-old, has stepped up in to the first team and looks like a class player. A product of PNE's youth training scheme, McKenna is an excellent passer of the ball and a real quick thinking player.

Also in midfield, Lee Cartwright looks back to his best and skipper Sean Gregan still looks the best player in the team.

This brings us to the striker problem. Jonathan Macken looks to be settled in as one forward and he looks to be fearing the opposition's defence.

His partner looks to be Jason Harris. The big striker has made a big impression at Deepdale since being taken on loan from Leyton Orient.

Since the departure of Lee Ashcroft, North End fans have demanded a replacement after feeling that Michael Holt was still inexperienced and Kurt Nogan was not good enough.

Despite a good start, PNE must strengthen if their to challenge for promotion. A new striker must be added and possibly a strong centre midfielder to help Gregan who at the moment is leading the team and the midfield.

North End fans expect and if bosses at Deepdale are to avoid the 1.4 million loss of last year they must look to improve their side.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.