Preston North End picked up their second consecutive draw other the season with another 0-0.
Neither Preston or Hull City could score a goal but it was the home team who dominated the game especially in the second half and left the fans astounded as to how they didn’t come away with a win.
Parrott still searching for his shooting boots
Troy Parrott missed a golden opportunity in the first game against Wigan Athletic and although he was better this time round, the best chance of the game fell to him again, but he failed to take it once more.
In the second half after some brilliant work and a wonderful pass with the outside of the boot from Ben Woodburn, Parrott controlled well and was bearing down on goal. He was pushed out wide but still had the chance for fire a shot in at Matt Ingram. Instead he passed the ball across the goal, but there were no Preston teammates anywhere near, and it was safely cleared away.
Parrott showed eagerness but on this occasion he needed to be more selfish. When he gets a goal the confidence will come but that needs to happen quickly because aside from Emil Riis there aren’t any other options for goals right now.
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Can Brady and Fernandez play in the same team?
We now have two players more than capable of playing in the left wing-back role, and it gives Ryan Lowe a selection headache. Robbie Brady has started the first two games of the season with Alvaro Fernandez making substitute appearances.
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The style of play we have incorporated so far has heavily involved getting the ball out wide before crossing into the box. Brady was comfortable on the left and also on the right when he was moved there in the second half.
Fernandez himself enjoys cutting inside as well and heading towards the opposition box. He looks an exciting player and will probably start in the Carabao Cup game against Huddersfield Town on Tuesday as Lowe will look to rotate the team.
With no right wing-back yet to to arrive this summer it is possible we could see Brady line up on the right and Fernandez on the left in order to get them both in the side. Whilst Brad Potts hasn’t played badly, the aforementioned two are more creative players, and we need to create as many chances as possible.
Where do McCann and Ledson fit into this team?
It looks like it would take an injury or a suspension for Ryan Lowe to change his favoured midfield three. Alan Browne, Daniel Johnson and Ben Whiteman have those places nailed down.
In truth we are overstocked with good players in that position. Ben Woodburn came on for DJ on Saturday, with the Jamaican captaining the side on his 300th appearance for the club. If Woodburn is to be used as a centre midfielder, then it leaves Ali McCann and Ryan Ledson wondering how they will get into this team.
Expect both to start in the cup on Tuesday, but let’s not forget Ledson was the club’s player of the year in the 2020/21 season which was played behind closed doors. McCann hasn’t had a bad game for us since arriving from St Johnstone last summer.
It’s hard for Lowe to involve them all, but Browne, DJ and Whiteman need to know that they shouldn’t be indispensable. Otherwise their performance levels will drop and Lowe shouldn’t be afraid to mix things round in that position, as there is plenty of quality in the squad.
Defence looking solid so far
Andrew Hughes was an important player for us last year, and has started this season strongly. He looks to kick on and provide an overlap option for his left wing-back which is promising to see. The other two central defenders weren’t regulars last season but couldn’t have started better with two clean sheets.
Jordan Storey was involved at the start of last season before Sepp van den Berg took his place on the right side of the back three. Storey then enjoyed a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday. He was named man of the match on his 100th appearance for Preston on Saturday, and that position is his to lose now.
Liam Lindsay has never had a sustained run in the side at Preston since arriving from Stoke in the winter transfer window in 2021. He only played 15 games last season but has started five of the last six. He’s getting the nod over Patrick Bauer at the moment but much, much more difficult challenges will come than the ones faced from Wigan and Hull so far.
The defence have given Freddie Woodman little to do so far, and they will look to build on these clean sheets.