Preston North End picked up their first win of the season in what was Paul Heckingbottom’s first game in charge of The Lilywhites. Despite Luton Town having a large share of possession, Preston were resolute, and Will Keane’s goal was enough to give them a 1-0 win.
Fresh start
After two very disappointing defeats to start off the season, North End needed to pick up something from the home fixture against Luton Town. In what has been a whirlwind start to the season that no one could have predicted, the fans just wanted to see a committed performance from the team.
The atmosphere before kick off was very different to what we have had to endure in the dying embers of Ryan Lowe’s time as Preston manager. There was a renewed sense of optimism. There was hope in the air. Whilst we have experienced this before, and it usually transpires as false hope, it’s still a nice feeling.
Even the return of Deepdale Duck lifted the crowd slightly. The fixture in question against a recently relegated side wasn’t an easy one for the new management team to come into. But it represented a tough battle that the team would have to be at their very best for.
Same system, but different approach
Heckingbottom has had less than a week to work with this squad. You wouldn’t expect drastic changes just yet, and with the players he has at his disposable he is limited on how much he can change.
The wing-back system was used again, but with Robbie Brady out injured Kaine Kesler-Hayden came in on the left side. This change actually allowed us to have some pace on that side, and unlike Brady, Kesler-Hayden could comfortably get up and down the pitch.
KKH and Brad Potts tried where possible to stick higher up the pitch, and the three central defenders also tried to play with a high line. There was more intensity from the Preston players. Whilst Luton had a lot of possession, they were quickly closed down, and unable to create too many glaring chances.
Lovely link-up for the goal
Chances were going to be at a premium against a strong Luton side. Preston had a couple of openings through the middle of the park with Will Keane having wasted a fine opportunity after a through ball from Mads Frokjaer.
The Preston goal almost arrived out of nowwhere. Ben Whiteman played a nonchalant ball out wide to Kesler-Hayden and his quick thinking back heel released Emil Riis down the left hand side. His pace and strength was enough to hold off the defender, and after cutting back inside he found Keane in the box.
Preston’s top scorer from last season had enough time to steady himself and then find the bottom corner of the goal. Keane was the subject of a bid from West Bromwich Albion earlier this week, and after this winner the Preston board will be happy they rejected it.
Huge credit must go to Kesler-Hayden though for his little flick that brought about this chance. A solid full debut from the Aston Villa loanee.
One of his best games for the club
With Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo leading the line for The Hatters on Saturday, Preston’s backline had to be at their best. The duo scored 21 goals between them in the Premier League last season, and North End had already conceded five goals in their first two games.
Liam Lindsay, Jordan Storey and Andrew Hughes have been the first choice back three for over two years now. All three have been capable of some great displays but also culpable for a few mistakes in that time. The defence and Freddie Woodman kept out a Luton side that were relentless at Deepdale, with 13 corners to defend as well as plenty of dangerous free-kicks.
Lindsay in particular was a rock in defence and nothing could get past him. 12 clearances, eight tackles, two interceptions, two blocks and 12 duels won. It was such an impressive performance and epitomised everything a Preston North End display should be about.
The fans know that there are more talented teams in this league. But put your body on the line, battle for 90 minutes, keep your energy levels high and more often than not you’ll come off that pitch with a smile on your face and your head held high.
A new manager coming in can often result in a bounce, and an improved performance from the team, but Lindsay did more than that, he put in one of his best displays in a Preston North End shirt.
We’ve missed that atmosphere
The last few months of Lowe’s tenure was tough on everyone, including the man himself who obviously had felt it was time to leave.
Whilst there were some good results in Lowe’s time, it was very often a very tough watch. It became very predictable towards the end, and there didn’t seem to be any game plan, and heads would drop as soon as we let a goal in.
It was time for a change, and the fans needed someone else to lift them, and a fresh team to get behind. Heckingbottom and Stuart McCall have clearly got to work very clearly. No bravado, no false promises, just honest hard work.
No over-celebrating at the final whistle, just appreciation for the fans. Heckingbottom already looks a good fit for the club just based on the type of person he is. There hasn’t been any talk of this club overachieving like with previous regimes. The former Sheffield United manager will demand hard work, and that was clearly evident on Saturday’s performance with many players out on their feet at the end of the 90 minutes.
With about 10 minutes to go the 12th man was needed. Luton were hammering on the door, and Deepdale came together as one, singing and urging the team to get over the line.
Heckingbottom was appreciative of the atmosphere with ‘We’re the one and only North End reverberating around the stands’. He clapped all three home sides, and it was great to hear the fans together in one voice instead of berating the side and booing the manager.
We don’t ask for much. We don’t expect wins week in week out. We ask for a committed performance, a full hearted display, from a well prepared team. One that represents the city we all come from. It already looks like that is the bare minimum Heckingbottom will ask for as well. Long may it continue. We’ve got our club back.