Alan Browne has challenged himself to perform even better in the upcoming campaign than in the previous.
Browne, who has been at Deepdale since 2014, scored 12 goals last season but is looking to add more consistency to his game.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder spoke to iFollow at Deepdale as the squad came together for the offical team photocall ahead of the new season, which kicks off on Saturday away to Millwall.
An honest Browne said: “I think my first season with the gaffer was probably better than last year. I know I scored more goals last year but in terms of form and consistency, I don’t think it was quite good enough for the standards I set myself.
“This year I want to continue to score goals and continue to set them up as well, but at the same time put in the performances that are worthy of a place in the starting line up.”
The Irishman has happy memories of last year’s 1-0 opening day victory over Queens Park Rangers, but knows the run which followed cannot be repeated this time round.
“It was always going to be a scrappy goal that won it and that’s how it worked out. Thankfully for me it was me that scored it!
“I think last year we learned how much a bad start can cost you. This year we have to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen and we come out of the traps to do everything we can to accumulate as many points as we can."
Alex Neil’s side travel to Millwall at the weekend to kick off their Championship season and they’ll be backed by over 900 PNE fans.
“We want the fans to get behind us because we know our capabilities. We want them to believe in us as much as we do ourselves. To have sold as many tickets as last year shows that we’re in the same boat.
“Hopefully we can go and put in the performances that is worthy of travelling down to Millwall and places like that. We just need to get off to a good start then we’ll be happy, the fans will be happy, and we can kick off from there.”
North End were 3-1 winners away at Millwall last season, but Browne is well aware that it may not be so easy to repeat that on Saturday.
“Obviously they’ve looked to change things round because I don’t think they quite played up to their ambitions last year, so I think it’ll be a completely different game.
“We’ve got to be prepared for it and hopefully we can put in the same performance, but the win is all that matters at this time of year.”
Watch the full interview with Browne on iFollow PNE now by clicking on the video above.