Simon Grayson: Preston North End adapting to new formation

Preston boss Simon Grayson is delighted with the way his side have adapted to a new formation in recent weeks.

The 43-year-old has been named League One's manager of the month after a run of five straight league wins, four of them coming in September.

"It's not easy to change from having a back four to a three and playing a different system," Grayson told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"The players have worked hard on it and, so far, it's been successful."

Grayson has won promotion from the third tier with all three of his previous clubs - Blackpool, Leeds and Huddersfield - and hopes are high that he can achieve the same feat at Deepdale.

North End are one of only four teams in the top four divisions yet to lose a league game this season, the others being Everton, QPR and Leyton Orient.

Preston drew their first four league matches but have since registered wins against Walsall, Oldham, Stevenage, Sheffield United and Swindon.

"We had a platform from the first four games, where we were hard to beat without really having that cutting edge," said Grayson.

"We changed the system to try and give us that impetus further forward, but keep that defensive shape as well, and it's all worked well.

"A lot of that bodes well for the future and a lot of recognition must go to the players for taking on board what we've asked them to on the training field."