Moyes on defensive

The 37-year-old, who has led North End from a Second Division relegation battle to a First Division promotion charge in just three seasons, has found he is having to defend himself after his side lost five of their last six games.

Moyes -- rated as one of the top young managers in the country -- is, after all this success, suddenly having to explain his side's slip from fourth in the division to ninth, ahead of tomorrow night's Lancashire derby against Blackburn at Ewood Park.

"We have dropped to ninth place, but is that a disgrace for a side just promoted to the First Division for the first time in 20 years? I don't think so.

"Our recent run of form is not what we would have hoped for, but we are working extremely hard to continue the high standards we have set over the last few seasons."

The Preston manager has by no means given up any hope of still achieving a top six spot and, if anyone can do it, the Deepdale faithful will know he does deliver.

"We are still only three points off the play-off zone," he is quick to point out, something the North End fans couldn't have imagined just over two seasons ago.

The Scot saved Preston from relegation in his first season in charge, took them to the Second Division play-offs in his second term and led them to promotion as champions last season. Life in Division One started well and success, until recently, bred success.

But just like their Turf Moor neighbours Burnley, they have struggled in recent games leading some to fear that Moyes' men are being found out at a higher level. But the manager is quick to refute these claims.

"This is a very competitive league and other sides at the top have also had bad runs," he said. "Watford lost seven out of eight recently, Burnley lost five on the reel and Nottingham Forest recently lost to the bottom two clubs in successive weeks. These results do not make these teams poor overnight.

"Clubs like Wolves, Huddersfield, Norwich and QPR, some of whom have been in the Premiership recently, would be delighted to be in our position."

There is no denying North End are going through a bad patch and need to get out of it soon.

Moyes himself accepts: "The confidence has drained from the players with recent results and it is my job to restore it."

North End did set off at pace -- two league losses in their opening 14 games -- to make Division One look so simple. Treated initially as underdogs at new grounds they even became the first side to beat leaders Fulham.

And striker Jon Macken, a 25-goal hitman from last season, has continued where he left off to add 12 to his tally this term.

But while the 23-year-old was scoring, Moyes' long hunt for a striker to link up with the former Manchester United trainee seemed to be jinxed.

Bids made for Richard Cresswell and Neil Harris were rejected; Steve Basham broke his leg and a freak accident to American loan international Brian McBride -- a bloodclot in his arm -- meant he missed three months.

North End's loan forward from Liverpool Erik Meijer was sold to Germany but the Preston chief finally got his man, with the arrival of £1.5m Old Trafford youngster David Healy ten days ago. And the 21-year-old opened his Deepdale account within four minutes of his debut.

With McBride returning, Moyes finally got his cover for Macken as the season began to tell on the forward. An Achilles injury, a hamstring strain and now a back problem have forced Macken to sit out seven league games this season.

"Jon has probably had to soldier on through more than we would have liked him to. We do not want him to blow up and we'll have to make sure he gets a rest," said Moyes.

But just as the manager got what he craved, it seems ironic that the goals have dried up -- four in the last six games. Yet he feels there is no need to get anxious.

"We are creating chances but not taking them and on another day some of them might go in. David Healy should score goals for us. He has made an impression since he came here. And Brian should get a goal soon. His wholehearted performance deserves one."

And while Moyes' mind has been on his strikeforce, the defence has become the new headache, leaking 12 goals in six games.

"The defence has worried me for a while," admitted the Preston boss. "We have been conceding too many goals, especially away from home and from set pieces. We will try and put it right."

The main cause of this is the ever-changing backline due to injuries and suspensions.

The four regulars who helped the season start so well have spent spells on the sidelines. It culminated when they all missed Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup defeat against Stockport -- skipper Sean Gregan (knee), Rob Edwards (flu), Colin Murdock (back) and Graham Alexander (punctured lung).

"We have been forced to change things around a bit but it is not an excuse. We have given other players a chance and that is what a squad is all about," said Moyes. "I thought we played better against Stockport and hopefully we'll get better again against Blackburn."

And he's aiming to silence any doubters by coming away from Ewood Park with a coveted win.

"The greatest accomplishments not in ever falling, but in rising again after the fall."

And if anyone can get Preston back up there, it has to be Moyes.