"At least 3 to 4 new players" - Preston North End and Paul Heckingbottom urged to take transfer action | OneFootball

FLW's Preston fan pundit has claimed his side need to sign three to four players in January

For a Preston North End side lingering dangerously close to the relegation zone, the January transfer window could be make or break for their season.

North End sit just three points above the dotted line, and winless in eight league games, they're in dire need of a change in fortunes, although the fact six of those have been draws at least shows they're competitive.

Simply being competitive isn't good enough for Preston fans though, who have become accustomed to seeing their side pushing for a play-off place, but this season has been much different.

January at least offers them a chance to put things right on the pitch, but with limited finances available, competing is difficult.

We asked our FLW Preston fan pundit Darren Watson what he feels his side need to do in January to become more competitive, and despite an evident lack of goals, he claimed North End also need to look at their goalkeeping situation.

He said: "Preston need at least 3 to 4 new players in in the January transfer window. I know that may seem a bit vast and a bit drastic but I do believe that's the best option going forward.

"We definitely need a new keeper. I think Freddie Woodman feels like he's a bit safe at the moment.

"I just think Dai Cornell is lacking that confidence and that game time, so we need to go and look for a keeper who is fit and available.

"Whether we go out and buy a keeper, but again where do we get the funds from, or do we loan someone who's out of favour, but we need some competition for the #1 spot.

"We need a couple of defenders as well. Our defence at times is very hard to watch.

"We also definitely need to bring in some attacking options as well. I think Osmajic and Riis lack that edge.

"I really highly rate Will Keane, and I hope he stays on at North End, but again we just need some more options up front or else I can see us running into a bit of trouble later on in the season if we can't convert these chances."

Preston desperately struggle in the final third

Emil Riis is Preston's joint-top scorer this season with four goals, and he's accounted for two of their last three strikes in the Championship.

But four goals is far from prolific, and it's in the final third where Preston have struggled all season, as only QPR have scored fewer second-tier goals than North End have this season.

In the position Preston find themselves in, it's unsurprising to see Paul Heckingbottom has come in and made defence the first priority, and although their defensive record is respectable, it goes without saying that they won't win games without scoring goals.

As our fan pundit alludes to, without scoring goals, North End could run into even more trouble as the season goes on, so January could be an ideal time to put things right in that department.