Preston rounded off their pre-season preparations on Saturday afternoon, beating Newcastle United at Deepdale.
North End announced the game against the Magpies late in pre-season after a window opened, and finishing off against a Premier League side is great preparation for Saturday’s game.
Less than 24 hours after a North End side lost at Fleetwood Town, Newcastle arrived at Deepdale. Alex Neil named a side much closer to the one you’d expect to see at Millwall on Saturday, but were 1-0 down at the break.
Jonjo Shelvey’s free kick swerved and deceived Declan Rudd, bouncing off his hand and into the net. However, North End hit back after the break, or at least after Rudd had atoned by saving Miguel Almiron’s penalty.
Tom Clarke’s cross was handled by Jamie Sterry, allowing Pau Gallagher to equalise from the penalty spot. Patrick Bauer was then tripped by Joelinton, handing North End another penalty – and Gallagher scored again for a 2-1 win.
The win as maybe fortuitous, given the two penalties, but at least pre-season ended on a high. Neil will take plenty of positives from the game, especially Bauer’s display.
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Bauer joined North End from Charlton back in June, but was making his Deepdale debut on Saturday. The German centre back – who scored his first goal for the club against Accrington just days earlier – turned in an impressive display against top-flight opposition.
He’s big, strong and good in the air, just as advertised. He’s also a fine leader though, and looks to be the defender we’ve been missing. Factor in winning a penalty, and Bauer appears to have some attacking threat too, which is an added bonus.
North End fans have been taking to Twitter to praise Bauer, with many branding him ‘class’. Others called him ‘absolutely immense’ in the North End defence, believing he looks like a great signing.