Better-than-ever Jordan Storey proud of Preston North End's clean sheet record but is looking to turn draws into wins

The central defender admitted earlier this summer that the switch to Hillsborough took him by surprise.

Although disappointed to not be part of Preston’s plans in the Championship last season, Storey thinks the spell in League One helped him become a much more rounded individual.

Storey played a pivotal role in the Owls’ run to the play-offs – they were eventually beaten by Sunderland in the semi-finals.

The 24-year-old has been a key figure for PNE this season, playing in every game so far – even the Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield Town.

He said: “I'm glad I took my opportunity to go away and think about putting things right and coming back into the team and making a statement. I feel like in the first five games that I have.

“I felt like I had a good pre-season and I feel like I've carried it on from the start of the season. I'm in a good place at the moment.

“I've matured a lot. I'm hungrier having gone away and dropped down a division. I've realised that I want to make this work and I want to push and reach my potential here.

“I felt like I was good enough to play in the Championship at the time, obviously the manager didn't, which is fair enough.

"It worked out better in the end, you have to respect his decision because it's made me better as a person as well as a player.”

Storey has been part of a Preston defence which has created a record this season – it’s the first time in the club’s history that PNE have begun a league campaign with four clean sheets.

While thrilled with that accomplishment, Storey admits he and his team-mates were frustrated that they could not find a way to unlock Rotherham’s defence in midweek.

North End were forced to settle for a point – their third draw this season – on Tuesday at Deepdale despite creating a hatful of opportunities.

There were 21 shots from those in blue and white over the course of the 90 minutes, but not one found the back of the net.

It was the only black mark on what was an otherwise good performance.

“It was one of the most one-sided games that I've been involved in where we haven't got the three points,” Storey said.

"All of the boys are frustrated because we absolutely battered them for 90 minutes, so we're bitterly disappointed.

"We knew for how much we were battering them we had to switch on because it would only take one counter attack – they broke on us near the end from us losing the ball.

"As a defence we knew we had to keep on our toes. They had a quick striker up top and we dealt with him.

"We knew what was expected of us having kept three clean sheets on the bounce and we wanted to make it a fourth and we did.

"We'll look back at it with disappointment. If you look at the games that we've drawn, Wigan we had a couple of clear cut chances, Hull we've had a couple and on Tuesday we had quite a few.

"We're a bit disappointed but on the flipside we haven't lost, we've kept four clean sheets which we're all proud of. It'll come eventually.

"The goal would be the icing on the cake but I don't think we'll get too down on ourselves.

"If we weren't creating any chances in the first place we'd be more annoyed with ourselves, the fact that we're creating 10/15 chances, the boys and the manager know the goals will eventually come.”

Next up for North End is the test of Watford, who travel to Lancashire on Saturday, 3pm.

The Hornets are tipped to be one of the stronger sides in the division, with the benefit of a year in the Premier League and parachute payments behind them.

The last time they were in the division they were promoted and after a strong start Watford are just one point off the top of the league.

North End however are just two points worse off than Saturday’s visitors and have no reason to fear them.

“All of the boys are itching to get back out again and keep a clean sheet against Watford and keep the momentum going,” Storey said.

"We all feel solid at the moment and long may it continue.

"It's good, all the way across the back line we're feeling confident and like we're not going to concede.

"Even when we have been troubled Freddie's (Woodman) been behind us in the stick and has pulled off a great save every now and then.

"It feels good, we all feel in a good place and hopefully it continues for a while.

"Watford is a massive test for us, it's the biggest test that we've had recently. We're in a good place just not putting the ball in the back of the net.

"There's no reason why we can't put on a great performance again – we've no one to fear.”