Ryan Ledson was one of the first names on the team sheet this season up until his injury.
His progression has been one of the few highlights of the last year. He has stepped up in the absence of Ben Pearson and his all-round game including his leadership has massively improved.
Ledson hasn’t played since the away win against Blackburn Rovers on the 12th February. North End have won just once in eight games since then. The midfield has been chopped and changed but no one has been able to replace what Ledson brings to the team. The injury he is currently out with hasn’t been given a timeframe, but he could definitely help the club’s ailing form at the moment.
Alex Neil has been unable to settle on a midfield trio of late, and with the fixtures coming thick and fast he needs to rotate anyway. It has led to average performances in the middle, and players like Jayson Molumby and Tom Bayliss not having much of an opportunity.
WhoScored ranks Ryan Ledson as North End’s fourth best player this season. Alan Browne is top, whilst Patrick Bauer and the departed Darnell Fisher complete the top three. It shows he has been a big miss in the recent games. Ledson allows a great link between defence and attack. His passing at time this season has been a joy to watch and has led to four assists; the most in the squad.
The 23-year-old is closing in on 200 career appearances, and his game is clearly maturing. I have previously tipped him as a future captain of this club, and the midfield would benefit if it was built around him. Alan Browne may end up moving to right-back on a permanent basis soon, and Paul Gallagher may not be here as a player next season. There’s still plenty of options in midfield though, but Ledson has to be a key part of that.
His absence has been massively felt in the last few games, when the side have failed to compete effectively. As well as his tenacious tackling, his creativity has been missed with just five goals being scored in those eight games, and three of them came against Huddersfield Town.