Preston North End got their first goal which led to their first win of the Championship season on Saturday.
The Lilywhites had not tasted success at Kenilworth Road since 1999 when David Moyes was in charge.
23 years later it took a stunner from Brad Potts to get the three points and North End remain unbeaten with three clean sheets from three games.
Potts is fighting hard to keep his place
Ryan Lowe has made no secret of the fact he is looking to bring in a right wing-back before there transfer window shuts. Cyrus Christie, Ethan Laird and Brooke Norton-Cuffy are just three of the names that have been linked in the last month or so.
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It was a troublesome spot last season until Lowe tried out Potts in that position away to Stoke City in the first game of 2022. Potts ahs never looked back and has been one of the first names on the team sheet since – mainly because there has been a lack of competition for that place.
But on that day he scored a tremendous volley at the back post and on Saturday he managed to score an even better version of it. He came close to a similar goal against Huddersfield Town in the cup and now has two in two games. He’s sent a message to Lowe. He’s not going to back down and hand over his place if anyone comes in.
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It’s great to see Potts enjoying his football again and he is a real asset to this team. His work rate is second to none and if he can keep on making runs into the box like he did on Saturday he could pop up with plenty more goals., epecially with the delivery of Robbie Brady on the other side.
Ledson and McCann back up their cup performance
Preston impressed with their midweek 4-1 win over Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup despite a lineup that had seen six changes.
Lowe kept faith with Ryan Ledson and Ali McCann who had shone in that game. Daniel Johnson was dropped to the bench as was Emil Riis so it saw Troy Parrott lead the line on his own.
It suited North End well once they got the goal in the first half, with more men behind the ball and Ledson and McCann are particularly good at breaking up play and keeping the ball.
Parrott worked hard on his own up front and DJ later came on to help wind down the game.
Our midfield is full of talent and it’s impossible to get them all in the team but Lowe started with four centre midfielders on Saturday which may work well away from home. With Rotherham United coming to Deepdale on Saturday I would be surprised if Lowe went with the same team but after a solid win it’s hard to drop anyone.
Three clean sheets for Woodman
Freddie Woodman has matched an achievement by Jordan Pickford. The now-Everton goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in his first three league games for the club in 2015 at this level and Woodman has also yet to concede in the league so far.
The ex Newcastle United ‘keeper is clearly enjoying his time at the club so far, seeming to relish playing in front of our fans home and away.
This is a man who has taken his time to find a permanent home where he can be the main man in goal. Woodman knew this was an important move for him and he’s settled in well so far.
We’ve yet to see him consistently tested in a game but you can’t ask for much more so far. The defence has been solid in front of him as well and confidence will only grow.