Preston North End pair Patrick Bauer and Ben Davies show up well in Championship centre-back statistics

The centre-half duo came together at the start of the season after Bauer’s Bosman arrival from Charlton and quickly struck up a strong understanding.

They have caught the eye of supporters and pundits alike and establishing a solid bond will be key in helping North End secure a place in the top six.

Figures put together by Stats Smart Analytics show that Davies and Bauer have been effective this season.

Davies had an 80% tackle success rate, with Bauer coming in at 79%.

In the air, Bauer won 67%of the aerial duels he went up for and Davies 58%.

With regard to tackles won, both were well above average for centre-backs in the Championship – those analysed had to have played 18 matches or more in the league.

The stats show that North End are better when Bauer and Davies play together.

In the four-game losing run in November and early December, Davies missed the 4-0 defeat at Hull because of injury.

Bauer joined him on the sidelines for the losses to West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers.

Mind you, both were in the side ahead of football’s suspension early in March when North End lost three on the bounce to WBA, Fulham and QPR.

They will be refreshed physically after the long enforced break but like all team-mates it is then a case of how quickly they can regain their match fitness and sharpness.