Preston North End secured their third win in a row with a scrappy 2-1 win over Middlesbrough on Wednesday night.
It wasn’t love in the air at Deepdale, rather a shower of rain which made for a game low on quality but one that Preston will be happy to come through.
Liam Millar and Emil Riis’ goals either side of a lovely strike from Finn Azaz ensured North End are now just outside the top six on goal difference.
Running down the wing, hear the Preston sing….
On a night of remembrance for the great Sir Tom Finney, the Deepdale pitch resembled the famous Stamford Bridge one that our number 7 graced in 1956.
It was apt that the player to make a splash in this game would be Liam Millar who was occupying Finney’s right wing position.
Switched to the right to fill in for the absent Brad Potts, Millar wasn’t seeing much of the ball in the first half. But the truth is he doesn’t need much of it to make an impact. After a brilliant first touch with his right foot, his left footed effort was enough to squeeze past Tom Glover.
Overall it must have been a frustrating night for Millar though as Freddie Woodman chose to place the majority of his kicks over to the left side of the field.
The ones that stayed in play were rarely won by a white shirt, whilst Millar stood in acres of space on the other flank.
Better from Brady but still not enough
We are considerably weaker without Brad Potts. Despite his goal Millar isn’t as effective on the right and Robbie Brady just doesn’t have the legs for a wing-back role.
He lacks pace to make the most of ample space in front of him. When he’s defending you’re almost waiting for a foul or a mistake.
He did make some good interceptions on the night but also wasn’t strong enough on too many duels.
He plays too many half hearted passes with he outside of his boot and his weak pass early in the game led to Andrew Hughes getting injured.
Hopefully Potts is fit for the Blackburn Rovers game. If not we have to look to Josh Seary.
Injuries stacking up?
With the absence of Potts already being felt, the sight of Hughes departing early on was not welcomed. Whilst his replacement Greg Cunningham was solid enough, we do miss Hughes when he’s out.
Hughes has had a few spells out injured in his time at the club. It never seems to just be for the solitary game. With Kian Best currently on the sidelines as well, it leaves us weakened on that side.
Liam Lindsay also made way; not completing the full 90 for the first time in 12 games. Duane Holmes has missed the last three games and suddenly the squad looks a bit threadbare.
So good to have Riis back
It’s almost as if he was never away. Despite missing just under a year of football, Riis has settled back into this side smoothly. The partnership with Will Keane looks good, with the duo scoring seven goals between them in five and a half games.
He looks fit and he’s not waning in games. He was on his toes and in the right place to volley in the winner on Wednesday. Reading the deflected Keane shot perfectly, his arrowed shot broke the Boro hearts on Valentines Day.
Fresh legs Layton
With North End one goal up at home, we were in familiar territory. We know by now the last 20 minutes or so in that situation have to be viewed from behind your hands.
The scar tissue is still there from sickening blows earlier this season. Holding on to a 3-2 win over Ipswich Town the other week despite being three up at half time was another test of the nerves.
We’re used to seeing Ryan Ledson come on to shore up the midfield but this time round Lowe made some interesting changes.
The front two were swapped and the fresh legs of Layton Stewart and Milutin Osmajic allowed us to stretch the Boro defence and also close down the back line in a far quicker fashion.
Stewart showed some good touches and a shot of his almost found its way through a crowd of bodies.
Osmajic looks almost too keen to impress at the moment. Without a goal since the 25th November, the Montenegrin has had to play second fiddle to Keane and Riis recently.
He’s still a huge asset off the bench though. Tired defences will not enjoy the sight of him coming off the bench late on. He must remain patient, but also realise his worth in the squad.
Blackburn up next. Big game. Big chance to make it four on the spin.