There was plenty to take from the Preston North End and Sheffield United game on Tuesday. It pretty much had everything and it was a monumental comeback from North End to salvage a draw.
Ryan Lowe had to make changes after Andrew Hughes was sent off. Greg Cunningham was thrown on for Scott Sinclair, who will have been disappointed that a rare start as cut short through no fault of his own. Lowe stuck with a back five initially as Preston saw out the first half without conceding any more goals.
At half time he made the decision to take off Brad Potts and bring on Joe Rafferty. This was the former Rochdale player’s first appearance under Lowe and in fact it was his first game in the league this season. His last match came against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup back in October.
Rafferty’s contract is up at the end of the season and it looks unlikely the 28-year-old will extend his stay at the club. There’s simply too much competition already.
In his natural position on the right hand side of defence, and given our current formation that means at wing-back, Matthew Olusunde, Brad Potts, Tom Barkhuizen and Sepp van den Berg all look to be ahead of him in the pecking order. On the left side, Josh Earl and Greg Cunningham are currently competing for that place, with another thought to be on the shopping list, and Barkhuizen actually started there on Tuesday.
Rafferty started the second half on that left side and wasn’t afraid to get forward as Preston pushed to get back in the game. When Ched Evans was brought on for Barkhuizen, Preston went to a flat back four, and Rafferty slotted in at right back.
The defence played an important part in the comeback; they had to keep things tight when Sheffield United were looking to exploit open areas. But they also had to ensure the midfield and strikers were given enough service.
For someone who hasn’t played in the league all season, Rafferty came in and did very well. His career at Preston has been mixed. He’s always given his all but has been too error prone at times, with own goals and red cards against his name. He’s had to switch from side to side throughout his time at the club but did manage 29 league games in the 2019-20 season where the nickname ‘Rafu’ was born.
The squad is simply too big at the moment to keep players like Rafferty. He’s likeable, and does a job when needed, however that need only comes when others are unavailable. It doesn’t make sense to offer him another contract, but Tuesday night’s display showed he can certainly contribute at a top League One club.
He was linked with Sunderland in the summer and they may still have an eye on the situation. If Preston are to get a transfer fee for Rafferty it will have to be in the next 10 days or so. If he does go, he will depart with the well wishes of the North End faithful.