Daniel Johnson attributes his success to change in role with Preston North End

Daniel Johnson felt a change in his midfield role was key to an impressive season in Preston’s engine room.
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The 27-year-old won two player of the year awards, was top scorer and provided the most assists in the PNE squad.

Securing him on a longer contract this summer would be a key piece of business, with Johnson one of a big group of players in the last year of their contracts at Deepdale.

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It was in the second game of the season that Johnson was played in the No.10 role.

Double player of the season award winner Daniel JohnsonDouble player of the season award winner Daniel Johnson
Double player of the season award winner Daniel Johnson

That 3-0 win over Wigan saw the midfielder turn in a strong performance and was the catalyst for an excellent campaign from his personal point of view.

Johnson netted 12 goals, six of those penalties – he had a 100% success rate from the spot. He laid on seven goals for his team-mates. With those statistics in mind it was no surprise to see him voted player of the year by the PNE fans.

His colleagues nominated Johnson as the players’ player of the year.

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This time next week, they will be back at Springfields for the start of the build-up to the new campaign.

Until this season, Johnson was in the main used slightly further back in midfield.

He still got goals from the deeper role but playing as the No.10 gave him more space to show his creative side.

“The manager has given me the freedom and the license to be that extra link,” Johnson told the PNE official website.

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“It’s allowed me to be the player that doesn’t have to necessarily stick to that one position, he’s given me the freedom to just go out play and be confident.

“I would like to thank the manager as well for trusting me and picking me regularly.

“And I just want to thank everyone through to the fitness coach, physio and the analysts.”

Johnson’s campaign was not without its problems, namely a lengthy absence over the winter.

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He suffered a knee ligament injury in December’s 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion and only returned in mid January.

Johnson finishing as leading scorer from midfield did highlight North End’s issues with goals up front.

For Alex Neil’s men to push on from the play-off near misses of the last three years, a dozen goals from a midfielder needs to be backing up far bigger figures from the strikers.

Tom Barkhuizen was next in the scoring charts with 11 goals – nine in the league.

Meanwhile, PNE have announced that Advanced are their new ticket provider partner.

All ticket sales will be through the Advanced system, whether bought online, over the phone or in person.