There are, at least, 16 very good sides in the Championship, who know how to defend and each have talented forwards and creative players. Brentford looked absolutely superb, on the highlights reel, from their 5-2 comeback win over Blackburn. Brentford sits in 17th position!
North End are not without their own talented players, and with an obsession to defend hard throughout the team, they give themselves a chance in each game they play. The forward line has been inconsistent and inadequate (at this level), but fresh blood and returning crocks have added impetus to their attacks.
Neil prepares for each match in great detail and talks to the players before every match to discuss plans and tactics (so I hear). Substitutes are always primed and ready to fit straight into the action. There doesn't appear to be any guess work. This is all necessary for a relatively small club at this level. Neil covers all the bases, and the results are starting to come.
For North End, as much as we all would love to dream of a loftier position, after the crippling start to the season (which must be corrected in August 2019), the team has come good and pushed the club (almost) to safety from relegation, which, given the entire context of the last 12 months, and although they're only in 18th position, represents something of a success. Staying in this league is absolutely worth applauding.
A solid start to August and September - easier said than done for North End - and Neil's true potential will be revealed. But he has turned his ship and put it in the right direction. He has earned the right to be more ambitious next season.