Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe has hailed former Liverpool prospect Ben Woodburn after his performance against Blackburn Rovers.
You would have forgiven any North End fan for feeling a little apprehensive heading into Saturday’s trip to Ewood Park.
PNE’s first team sheet in a month dropped with a host of absentees; no Andrew Hughes, no Robbie Brady, no Alan Browne, no Ali McCann, no Emil Riis.
Those are important, quality players for North End and seeing a bench full of teenagers from the youth team left some fearing the worst.
PNE were exceptional though, taking the lead when Ben Woodburn slotted home Ched Evans’ pass.
Evans made it two and whilst Bradley Back threatened a Blackburn revival, Evans and Ben Whiteman wrapped up all three points and stunning performance.
North End’s pressing was a key part of this game.
Lowe’s men were hassling and harrying Rovers players all over the pitch and there were times in the first half where Rovers just couldn’t get out.
Lowe had hinted earlier in the week that North End had been working hard on new things in training and it’s fair to say we haven’t really seen his PNE side press quite like this before.
A key part of that pressing approach was Woodburn and Lowe paid tribute to the Welshman.
“Some people might call it brave, but Ben Woodburn is one of the best counter-pressing footballers you’ll see,” said Lowe when speaking to Sky Sports.
Woodburn was schooled at Liverpool under the Jurgen Klopp regime, where counter-pressing is absolutely paramount.
That involves pressing the opposition immediately when they regain possession, rather than waiting for certain triggers to go and press.
Woodburn’s understanding of this side of the game appears to be very advanced thanks to his Liverpool days and PNE reaped the rewards on Saturday.