It seems like a long, long time ago that Alan Irvine's side trudged off the field at Bristol City's Ashton Gate. It was a day of mixed emotions for everyone connected with PNE, relief that they had survived what, at times, looked like a desperate battle against relegation but also a time to look forward to a new start under Alan Irvine.
Alan Irvine's plans and preparations have already been well documented on pne.com, but what of North End's opposition on the opening day, Ipswich Town?
THE MANAGER - Jim Magilton
If media speculation is a fair reflection of a club's realistic ambitions then Ipswich Town boss Jim Magilton will be quietly confident this season. The Tractor Boys have been linked with a host of big money moves over the course of the summer, a certain David Nugent looked destined for a move to Suffolk at one stage whilst just this week Ipswich have been in talks with Bolton's European Cup winning Ivan Campo.
If Ipswich's desire matches their ambition then they should be a good bet to be at the right end of the Championship table and if their away form can get anywhere near their spectacular home form of the last campaign then they will be near certainties for a return to the Premiership.
Even with all this pre-season optimism, Magilton feels that this year's Championship is going to be as tough as ever: "The three sides who came down will be there or thereabouts," he said. "If we finish ahead of Birmingham and Reading we will not be too far wrong.
"Bristol City will have no fear after last season while Wolves and the two Sheffield clubs will be in contention. In fact, every team will go into Saturday's game feeling they have every chance of doing well.
"And every team will go into every game - whether home or away - expecting to win it."
On paper the Lilywhites couldn't have asked for a harder game to start their campaign with, Ipswich were beaten just once at home in the league all last season. But a good start is critical for all sides and Ipswich's Irish boss is fully aware of the springboard a good opening spell can give. Magilton will be hoping that good results over PNE and their midweek Carling Cup opponents, Orient, can provide just the lift they need.
"Winning breeds confidence and this is what we want," Magilton said ahead of Saturday's big kick-off.
"Winning becomes a habit, and that breeds extra confidence. With respect to Leyton Orient we have a great chance of starting a run, although they will be all out to upset our apple cart.
"I am expecting something from the game as we look to install a winning mentality."
LAST MATCH - Ipswich 3 West Ham 5
Shumulikoski 3, Garvan 30, Lee 89 - Ashton 3, 59, 73, Bellamy 7, Noble 80
Jim Magilton's side suffered their only loss of pre-season thanks to a wonderful Dean Ashton hat-trick and further goals from Craig Bellamy and Mark Noble.
But it wasn't all one-way traffic at Portman Road, Ipswich were more than a match for their Premiership guests and actually went in at half-time 2-2 thanks to goals from Owen Garvan and Veliche Shumulikoski.
Alan Curbishley's side turned on the style in the second half though and were well clear by the time Alan Lee added a late goal for the hosts in front of 17,223 fans.
Ipswich: R. Wright, D. Wright, McAuley, Smith (Naylor 90), Balkestein (Bruce 65), Haynes (Peters 81), Shumulikoski, Garvan (Miller 75), Quinn (Trotter 81), Lisbie (Lee 65), Counago (Rhodes 75).
West Ham: Green (Stech 60), Neill, Ferdinand (Davenport 39), Upson, Widdowson, Beharami (Mullins 62), Noble, Parker, Etherington (Reid 46), Bellamy (Hines 23), Ashton (Stanislas 82).
LATEST NEWS - Rhodes Returns To Portman Road
He's only been in the job two days but he's already going back to work at his former employers! But don't worry, it will only be a flying visit for Preston North End's new goalkeeping coach Andy Rhodes.
Rhodes was part of the backroom staff at Portman Road for four years and only departed the club by mutual consent at the end of the last campaign. It's one of those strange quirks of the fixture list which sees Andy returning to Suffolk so soon.
It will be a strange day for Rhodes whose son Jordan stars up front for the Tractor Boys: "It will be a bit of a sad occasion tomorrow - but exciting as well. I naturally want a Preston win - and a 2-1 scoreline with my son Jordan netting for Ipswich would be ideal."
"I did not have a chance to properly say goodbye so it will be nice to do that tomorrow. There are some lovely people at the club and those who work for them on match days," added Rhodes ahead of the big game.
Ipswich Town v Preston North End - Coca-Cola Championship, 3pm Saturday 9th August 2008
Click here for full ticket details
Click here for a ground guide to Portman Road
