The Spurs man is enjoying a successful loan spell at Deepdale
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Preston North End loan star Alfie Devine is very much focused on the present.
The 21-year-old is one of the latest loan signings to catch the eye at Deepdale. Devine has been a regular in Paul Heckingbottom’s side all season, scoring six goals with a further two assisted. Devine’s latest strike clinched a much needed victory at home to Portsmouth.
North End supporters have watched their fair share of Premier League players enjoy their temporary stays at the club, over recent seasons. Devine is slightly different to the rest, in the fact PNE have inserted a buy-option - albeit expensive - into his loan agreement. As far as he’s concerned, it’s all about the here and now.
“Not necessarily, no,” Devine told the Lancashire Post, when asked if his mind ever goes beyond what will happen this season. “I know there's the buy option in there and stuff like that. I think that all gets sorted after the season. Throughout the season, it's just about focusing on what's happening right now.”
On his enjoyment of the loan, Devine told BBC Lancashire. “I think every single time I speak to the media, or to whoever, I express how much I love it here. From day one until now, you can tell when you've got a good feeling in and around the place.
“You're looking forward to going in every day, and then when it gets to Saturday, Tuesday, whenever the game is, that sort of shows on the pitch. I think that's the same with everyone that we've brought in this season as well.”
Spurs loan star believes
North End endured a rocky January with four straight defeats, without scoring, suffered across all competitions. A solid away point - very nearly three - at high flying Ipswich Town gave Preston a boost going into last weekend’s win over Pompey. Devine has always felt this season could be a memorable one for the Lilywhites.
“Yeah, definitely,” said Devine. “With the squad we’ve had all season, and even the three boys that we brought in in January, you can see how strong our squad is. Players, staff, everyone at the club believes that we're capable of going and achieving what we want to achieve this season.”
“I think that (recent transfer business) sort of shows what people think of the squad this season, that there's a real chance of achieving what we want to do. The boys we brought in as well, it's a massive help to us. Obviously, we hadn’t scored in I don't know how many games, but bringing three players at the top of the pitch really helps that.”
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