A new manager at any club often gives fringe players an opportunity to stake their claim for a place back in the side . Preston North End have a large squad with numerous players having not featured at all this season due to the 25 man squad restriction.
Frankie McAvoy certainly had his favourite players and would not change from his preferred formation either. Some players didn’t fit into that, mainly wide players like Scott Sinclair and Josh Murphy. You either had to conform to a wing-back or play up front. Lots of players have had limited minutes this season and under a new manager may get a new lease of life.
There are a few players who will be desperate for a chance in the second half of the season and I think the following three could appeal to the new Preston manager…
Scott Sinclair
Sinclair is clearly one of the most talented players in the squad. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, you’d think he be keen to impress and win a new deal. He’s best played as a winger or perhaps behind the striker. He needs more chances in the team as he hasn’t had a fair run in the side this season.
You’d expect a change in formation going forward and we can’t be any less attacking than under McAvoy, so Sinclair may get another chance to shine.
Josh Harrop
Left out of the 25 man squad at the start of the season, Josh Harrop has also been out injured. It’s been a difficult campaign for him and no doubt he will be raring to show the new manager what he is all about. We’ve seen he can add some creativity to the team which it is currently devoid of. He’ll have to wait to January for a chance but with 18 months on his contract there’s still time for him to make an impact.
There doesn’t seem to have been any other suitors for him as he would have left the club if that was the case. Again it will depend on what formation is used going forward as to whether he can fit back in the side.
Josh Murphy
Although currently injured, Murphy will have been unhappy with his limited time on the pitch since arriving on loan from Cardiff City on deadline day. It seemed a strange signing at the time as he is a natural winger but McAvoy saw him as another option to use up front. Yet he was only used as a late, late substitution until his injury. He looked bright in those appearances but it would be nice to see him given a chance from the very start.
He’s only played 70 minutes in the league for Preston and with his contract running out at the end of the season at Cardiff, he’ll be keen to showcase his talent to Preston and any other potential interested parties as well.
All three of these players are creative and attack minded. Something McAvoy didn’t really focus on. It’s time for Preston to try and entertain the fans again.