As we reach the halfway point of the season it’s been a mixed bag for Preston North End. But after a managerial change which was much needed, fans can look forward to an improvement in 2022. Fans finally are on the side of the manager and can see there is plenty to be hopeful for in 2022.
This season there haven’t been too many players to shout about. Sepp van den Berg has been a breath of fresh air, and it’s enjoyable to watch him develop with us. Usual star players Alan Browne and Daniel Johnson have had slow starts to the season but under Ryan Lowe should be able to show their true colours.
So the two standouts from the team have been head and shoulders above the rest. Both hailing from Denmark Daniel Iversen and Emil Riis have ensured Preston have been in safe hands at both ends of the pitch.
For me Daniel Iversen, just about gets the nod ahead of Riis. Whilst the striker has been crucial in scoring goals to get the points on the board, I think we would be even worse off without Iversen.
IVersen had a case to be player of the year last season despite only being at the club for half of the campaign. Ryan Ledson beat him to that award but for me Iversen has stepped it up another gear this time around.
Likely to be the heir to Kasper Schmeichel at both Leicester City and Denmark, the 24-year-old has shown Preston fans he is right up there with Jordan Pickford when it comes to goalkeepers at the club over the past 20 years.
Iversen pulls off saves you’d think he has no chance of making. He comes for crosses, he makes himself big in one-on-one situations, and is eccentric enough to give the defence a boost when they need it. His distribution could be improved, but we are lucky to have the Dane with us. Who knows whether he will stay beyond this season? A permanent transfer would probably have to mean Preston break their transfer record. Whilst another loan will see other clubs competing for him as well.
You can tell he enjoys his time at the club. You can see that with his passion and his celebrations when we score at the other end of the pitch. He has deserved a better team in front of him and hopefully he will get that in 2022.
Frankie McAvoy rode his luck in many games where Iversen kept him in it. Stoke City at home is one that comes to mind, when The Potters had 21 efforts on goal but we came away with a 1-1 draw. Let’s not forget that 24 is still very young for a goalkeeper, and Iversen has a very strong career ahead of him. Wouldn’t it be great to see his best years of his career with Preston? Or will we just have to settle to see another one move on and peak somewhere else?