Preston North End and Leeds United played out an entertaining battle once again on Saturday matching the excitement and feistiness of games in recent years.
North End came so close to grinding out a victory but Leeds struck late on with Jack Whatmough unfortunately diverting the ball into his own net. Brad Potts had earlier sent the home fans into raptures with a superb goal following a counter attack that he had started and Milutin Osmajic had executed to perfection.
The players were on the floor at the end having given everything in that game. Very disappointing to only pick up a point but a lot can be taken from the overall display at Deepdale saw one of the liveliest atmospheres in the home end for some time. It was the fifth consecutive game between the two sides where there has been a decisive goal in the last five minutes of the game. Unfortunately Liam Millar’s goal last year was the only time it has benefitted North End.
What a goal
Osmajic took a lot of the headlines in this fixture last season, with Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier being sent off last year for pushing Milly in the face. He was brought into the side to lead the line with Will Keane and the Montenegrin was excellent.
Sometimes he is worth the entry fee alone, he always gives an all action performance and he is so exciting to watch. For the goal he took the ball on the halfway line from Potts, spun his man and galloped up the pitch towards the Town End.
There was only one ball he could play to find Potts who had done superbly to sprint into the box and support him. The pass was excellent and Potts did well to hit it first time with his left foot. Meslier should done better but it was a superb team move, and a the celebratory scenes were superb.
Osmajic had a great game and perhaps should have stayed on till the end, as he’s much better at holding the ball up and taking the pressure of the defence than Emil Riis is.
Tactical fluidity
We started the game with a flat back four with Potts at right-back and Kaine Kesler-Hayden on the left. They had Mads Frokjaer and Robbie Brady in front of them and it allowed us to defend and attack better.
The wing-back formations have been frustrating to watch on many occasions, and it has often been said that we aren’t strong enough to just play two centre-backs. Liam Lindsay and Jordan Storey showed that we are. They were excellent at the back mainly limiting Leeds to long-range efforts.
That formation also allows to play actual wingers, although on this occasion we ended up pushing more central players into those areas. Frokjaer can play those roles because he tends to float around the pitch and just take up space wherever he can anyway. Duane Holmes looked a bit more uncomfortable on the left when he came on, but we did alter into different shapes into the second half to provide more solidity.
With that formation there should be more opportunities for Josh Bowler and Jeppe Okkels.
Jordan Storey‘s best display
I would go as far as to say that was one of if not the best game we have seen from Storey in a Preston shirt. He was facing some quality attackers in Joel Piroe, Wilfried Gnonto, Dan James, Manor Solomon and Patrick Bamford. He dealt with them all superbly.
He won 100% of his duels both aerially and on the ground. He made six clearances, two key blocks, two recoveries of the ball and didn’t make a single foul. He was snuffing out danger, left, right and centre.
The goal was unfortunate and he didn’t deserve to miss out on that clean sheet. The defence as a whole has had a tough season, especially Freddie Woodman. But after a clean sheet against Cardiff City there seemed to be more confidence in the backline.
Lindsay and Storey have certainly shown that they can be the central pair in a back four, and Heckingbottom should be very proud of their display. Storey’s good form has come at a crucial time with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Good options in midfield
Ali McCann already seems to be nailed on for player of the season. He’s been incredible under Heckingbottom and is the first name on the team sheet these days. After a mixed three years at the club, he’s really stepped up this season, and has looked comfortable as captain too.
Ben Whiteman was taken off at halftime with the club captain walking a tightrope on a yellow card. Leeds were seething that he didn’t see a second yellow for a strong challenge on the edge of the area.
Stefan Thordarson replaced Whiteman with the Icelandic international having impressed in the last couple of games alongside McCann. He has a good eye for a pass and always looks to progress up the pitch. He shone in the second half, and stands a good chance of reclaiming a starting place for the next match.
Ryan Ledson also seemed like a sensible substitution and it was interesting to see McCann pass the armband onto him when he came on.
Atmosphere
The fans can buy into that type of performance. A display full of guts and determination. Every man in a Preston shirt battled and you could see how hard they were pushing for that win. You sensed a second goal was needed but equally at the other end of the pitch, every tackle, clearance and save was being cheered, and the fans were doing everything they could to be the 12th man.
It was devastating to not hold onto the win, but there were certainly plenty of encouraging signs. Heckingbottom needs to see more wins on the board though. There have been too many draws of late, and we need to start being more clinical in the final third.
Earlier in the season we drew with another team at the top in Sunderland, but we followed that up with a defeat to bottom of the table Portsmouth. They need to take all the positives from this Leeds game and gather some momentum over the Christmas period, starting with a trip to in-form Queens Park Rangers next weekend.