Preston ended the January transfer window without bringing in a striker, and made just the one signing in total.
North End’s only signing of the window was Scott Sinclair, which was a major coup. The Celtic winger finally arrived after a summer pursuit, and has already shown flashes of the quality he can bring.
Still, it was a little disappointing that Preston didn’t find another striker. With Louis Moult out of action, Alex Neil has just two centre forwards at his disposal – David Nugent and Jayden Stockley.
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Nugent is a solid veteran, but has only scored once this season. Stockley has his qualities, especially in the air, but started just six times this season, and scored only two goals.
Seani Maguire, Tom Barkhuizen and Sinclair himself can play up top, but aren’t natural fits as strikers in this system. North End miss a focal point, and one who can score goals, yet this has been the case since Jordan Hugill left two years ago.
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Many fans have thrown out names of players they wished Preston had gone for in January, and ex-North End defender Colin Greenall has joined in, having discussed Preston’s lack of a striker on BBC Radio Lancashire (54m).
Greenall suggested that Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp would have been ideal, as the 34-year-old has the knack of scoring goals, and hasn’t been playing much this season.
Greenall also noted that Blades teammate Callum Robinson – sold by Preston over the summer – was available having joined West Bromwich Albion on loan, but wasn’t sure whether he’d have been open to coming back.
“I know they were saying he was going to leave Sheffield United, he didn’t, he played at weekend,” said Greenall on Sharp. “Callum Robinson has gone to West Brom, could they have got Callum back? I don’t know whether he’d want to come back on loan, but he’s gone to West Brom. Somebody like Billy Sharp – they need a goalscorer for me, somebody who’s just going to be in the box, ball comes in, put it in – a horrible knack of scoring goals,” he added.