Two things already look key for Preston North End in the summer transfer window
PNE added three players in the latest transfer window
Defeats like Preston North End’s at Ewood Park last Friday often lead to more in-depth reflection. After an ordeal of a Lancashire derby, it was impossible to not ponder beyond those 90 minutes: not just at where the Lilywhites are now, but where they are going and what they need.
As written about in the aftermath, this was a night where PNE’s lack of creativity, invention and spark was alarmingly stark. Clearly, this has not been a constant of the season with North End sat 10th - three points off sixth - after 33 games. But, Preston were found wanting against an organised and resolute Blackburn Rovers. Recent history tells us this is not a new struggle for them to encounter.
One thing the current squad lacks is one-v-one ability. Pol Valentin can drive on the outside and deliver, as can Andrija Vukcevic, though both are defenders by trade. While they are able to contribute it is neither’s forte. Lewis Dobbin can worm his way into decent areas with skill but operates in central positions. Thierry Small is best with space and grass ahead of him.
You would question, therefore, whether a player of that 1v1 mould would actually fit in at PNE. It is not the best example but Josh Bowler struggled to, for instance. It may also be worth questioning whether the club can afford them. North End boss Paul Heckingbottom was asked about the prospect after January’s loss to Hull City, in which former Preston loan star Liam Millar shone.
He said: “Yeah, definitely. You need to be adaptable in your squad. If we can be really cute and build a team that can play in one or two different ways, then we need to be able to do it... I think you have to have that to get the most out of your money, definitely. But I think we need to also be able to have a little flexibility within our group, so that we're not putting all our eggs in one basket.
“This summer we wanted to try and slightly change how we played, but could quickly see that with what we had it was going to be unachievable. It's allowed us to put a squad together, still play with three centre-backs, wing-backs, but when needed we've changed ahead of that. So, I think that flexibility going forward is still going to be important when we put a squad together.”
Time will tell, then, but two other areas - which PNE can certainly strive to address in the summer - are central midfield and centre-back. Alongside the glaring quality and talent lost by Harrison Armstrong’s return to parent club Everton, Preston miss the teenager’s ability to take the ball in and drive forward with it.
Ben Whiteman, Ali McCann and Jordan Thompson - three proper pros - all bring things to the North End team and will continue to contribute moving forward. PNE will not find another Armstrong but that specific attribute of his took the Lilywhites’ midfield to a different level; adding it back to the group would make an impact.
Another area Preston could look to improve - and this shouldn’t be pigeonholed to midfielders - is their long range shooting. In short, it just doesn’t happen very much. Far from an easy skill and unlikely to ever be a sole reason for signing a player, but it would add another string to PNE’s bow. Perhaps the signing of Stefan Thordarson was with both of the above in mind; it just never fully clicked for the Icelandic.
Elsewhere, the arrivals of Lewis Gibson and Odel Offiah over the last 12 months have bolstered North End’s defence. One player whom the club will need to replace one day, though, is Andrew Hughes and naturally, that day is getting closer. The way the Welshman has performed this season, it’d be little surprise to see the 33-year-old’s contract extended beyond the summer.
Hughes, an incredibly consistent operator, has been perfect for the left centre-back role. If Heckingbottom is going to continue to play that way then Preston will soon need to find the next Hughes, which will not be easy. When he hasn’t been available this year he has been sorely missed. It would seem wise to get the next guy in the building while the number 16 is still on board: that is what we need from you.
There have been some likable additions to the PNE squad in recent windows. The manager has stressed the need for permanent business and while it will be tough to see the current loan crop leave, Preston will move forward with Offiah (23), Small (21), Gibson (25) and new duo Andrew Moran (22) and Callum Lang (27) - along with the obvious core. Friday, though, was a painful reminder that you’ve never quite got the lot.