Preston lost 2-0 at Bristol City on Saturday afternoon, and Alex Neil will be disappointed that North End posted a blank at Ashton Gate.
That’s now one goal in Preston’s last three games in all competitions, and that was a penalty away at Wycombe Wanderers.
Even the return of Scott Sinclair couldn’t spark Preston into life, and North End were hugely disappointing going forward throughout, registering just one shot on target.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
There was another stat that was particularly concerning; no Preston player completed more than one successful dribble against the Robins.
Five players managed one each; Sinclair, Tom Barkhuizen, Ben Whiteman, Ben Davies and Darnell Fisher, but that was it. When you think about how Emil Riis registered seven on his own against Huddersfield Town in October, that pitiful number against Bristol City just isn’t good enough.
MORE PRESTON STORIES
North End generally aren’t great in this area. Preston only register 5.5 dribbles per game, which ranks 21st in the Championship.
Billy Bodin is usually dangerous in this area, but the Welshman has only started one league game this season and has spent most of the campaign out injured.
Neil suggested to Lancs Live after Saturday’s defeat that he thinks he needs ‘another option’ out wide, going public with his desire to sign another winger before this month’s transfer deadline.
North End looked at Jamal Lowe over the summer, but he picked Swansea City instead, and that’s the kind of player Preston need; a game-changing attacker with real pace and the ability to beat a man in the final third.
Preston just didn’t have the individual quality to get back into the game on Saturday, and that dismal dribbling stat highlights that North End must find another dangerous wide option to support Sinclair and Barkhuizen.