Graham Westley: 'I made Preston North End stronger'

Former Preston North End manager Graham Westley has claimed that his spell at Deepdale laid the foundations for the club's strong start to the season.

Preston, who are now managed by Simon Grayson, are unbeaten so far this campaign and sit sixth in League One.

Westley, who moved to Preston in January 2012 and was sacked 13 months later, believes that his work was crucial in turning the club's fortunes around.

"In the end they're now benefiting from the fact I knocked a few problems out that had taken care of four or five consecutive managers," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"I'm sure the football club will be stronger for the work I did. There'll be some that recognise the good record that I did.

"You'll get those that will despise me because we lost some games when the squad was weak and tested, there'll be those that understand that I took on some big battles on behalf of the club."

Westley will return to Deepdale on Saturday with Stevenage.