Preston North End’s defence has been a contentious issue for the last couple of seasons. Mistakes have crept in and inconsistent performances have led to many believing the backline needed a shake up.
Despite Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay and Andrew Hughes all signing extensions to their contracts, Paul Heckingbottom has made moves this month to bring in Jayden Meghoma on loan and the permanent signing of Lewis Gibson from Plymouth Argyle.
The latter has slotted into the backline very smoothly and already looks like an impressive acquisition.
Exactly what we needed
The back three or five depending on how you look at it that Preston have played for the last few years hasn’t always been a popular choice.
Gaps are quite often found by the opposition and we’ve been lacking pace in that area for some time. For every good game that Storey, Lindsay and Hughes have a poor display was usually round the corner.
Any fast side that North End would come up against could find success with direct running at our defence or with balls behind.
The addition of Gibson has solidified the backline so far. We have conceded two just goals in his three league games and one of those was a wonder strike from outside the area from Watford’s Rocca Vata.
Gibson, a left footed defender has played centrally so far but could be in the left of a back three. Hughes has looked comfortable alongside the former Plymouth player but you would expect him to be a back up option next season.
Even though his Preston career is still in his infancy, Gibson has looked very composed at the back. He’s calm on the ball, he’s strong in the air and on the ground and is already a loud voice in a team lacking leadership at times.
Against Boro, Gibson made eight clearances, two blocks and two interceptions against a talented team.It’s worth noting Freddie Woodman has looked better with Gibson in front of him as well. A strong defence can do wonders for a goalkeepers confidence.
Woodman made some good saves against Middlesbrough and hopefully he can impress until the end of the season.
At 24, Gibson is quite a bit younger than his fellow defenders but I think he can be a player they look to for inspiration and leadership. Preston can often go missing in games when the going gets tough. Someone like Gibson could perhaps provide the fire and passion in the backline that we have missed since the likes of Paul Huntington and Tom Clarke.