“I just love scoring goals, I can’t get enough of it. I’ve learned from more experienced players in the Premier League and hopefully I can use that here in the Championship.”
Promising words from Cameron Archer as he spoke to the official website after signing for Preston North End.
Archer has become Ryan Lowe’s first signing and has been handed the number 21 shirt ahead of his potential debut against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.
North End are forever on the lookout for that prolific striker, and whilst Emil Riis has done a great job of finding the back of the net in the first half of the season, he hasn’t had much support in that area.
Ched Evans is good at causing problems for the opposition defence and has proven to be a great substitute to bring on. Seani Maguire played a decent role in the first half of the season but hasn’t featured too much under Lowe. He’s a hard worker but has never rediscovered his blistering pace he had at the start of his career after numerous injuries. He’s also only scored four goals since the start of last season, and he’s lost the poacher part of his game.
Scott Sinclair isn’t an out and out striker and so Archer’s is welcomed. If you look at some of Archer’s goals already this season he looks to be a natural finisher.
Archer is also fast and will be quick to pick up any loose balls in the final third. Riis needs a more mobile partner, and one who can test the keeper as well. With Daniel Johnson missing the next three games through international duty with Jamaica, the side will need a willing runner in the attacking areas.
Archer and Riis should be able to tire out the defence before Sinclair, Evans and Maguire can provide options off the bench.
A spell in non league with Solihull Moors will have toughened Archer up last season, and he shouldn’t be too surprised at the physicality in the Championship after impressive showings in the EFL Trophy and Carabao Cup.
Archer is stocky as suggested by an Aston Villa correspondent from Birmingham Live, so will be able to provide a physical presence too, and likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender. This should help Preston stretch the game and create more space in the attacking third of the pitch.
He’s known as ‘Little Tevez’ in the Villa academy and Preston fans will be hoping he can find the net more regularly than previous loan strikers.
Stephy Mavididi failed to impress on loan from Arsenal whilst Lukas Nmecha clearly had a big career ahead of him but perhaps didn’t score enough.
Both are now impressing at Montpellier and Wolfsburg respectively, and Archer will understand how important this loan move could be for him.