The month has been a successful one for Irvine after a hard pre-season for the players proved beneficial. the manager wanted the side to get off to a good start following on from a good second half to last season and he got exactly what he asked for.
Barry Nicholson and Ross Wallace joined hte Whites prior to the big kick off but it was an experienced hand who got Preston's season rolling. After falling behind early on away at Ipswich in the first game many could be forgiven for thinking that this was going to be a tough season. However, only moments later Preston skipper Paul Mckenna equalised in style before a quick free kick allowed Whalley to slot home and the Whites took all three points.
Preston's good form continued by avoiding a banana skin in the Cup as they defeated Chesterfield at home by two Neil Mellor goals before the same scoreline was repeated against Crystal Palace at Deepdale to give Preston the perfect start.
The first sign of a wobble was noticeable during the first half away at Hillsborough when Sheffield Wednesday could have been several goals to the good. Preston came back strong and managed to take a deserved point.
The Whites then put in an abject display against Derby in the Cup as the Rams went through putting the only blemish on Preston's otherwise good campaign thus far.
The manager responded by signing big Jon Parkin and Stephen Elliott with Matt Hill being sold to Wolves. Parkin started against Charlton when the Whites recovered from an early error to take the game 2-1.
Irvine must now wait to see if he piclks up the manager of the month award with the White ssitting in second with 10 points. He will want better in September as North End have had to come from behind in three of their four league games so far.