Graham Alexander explains dropping Daniel Iversen for Lee Nicholls in Preston win over Southampton
Daniel Iversen was dropped for Saturday’s game against Southampton.
Graham Alexander felt Daniel Iversen ‘needed a little break’ from the starting XI for Preston North End’s clash at Southampton, but wants his goalkeeping department to be just as competitive as the rest of the squad.
Preston picked up their first win under Alexander with a heroic 1-0 victory over Southampton, Jordan Thompson firing in the winner with a thunderous volley.
Alexander had made five big changes to his team, the biggest of which was replacing Iversen for Lee Nicholls in goal. It’s the first time the Dane has been benched for a league game since moving to Deepdale.
The bold move paid dividends, with North End keeping their first clean sheet since February 7.
Alexander explained the thinking behind the change after the match: “I think I've got to be true to the squad.
“I had a great chat with Dan yesterday after I made the decision. Explained that I want to create a culture here where everyone's got an opportunity to play.
“There can't be a closed shop when people get picked consistently when you've got players in the squad who've got the experience and the guile and shown his quality.
“You've got to be here as a competitor. If I don't justify that with the odd change here and there, I think that squad dies, a little bit. So we have to have competition.”
Iversen ‘needed a little break’
Alexander also felt Iversen needed to be removed from the firing line, with the shot-stopper having a difficult outing against Sheffield United on Tuesday.
He has no doubt he’ll come back stronger.
“I also think Dan needed a little break as well,” he said.
“I think sometimes when you're holding on to that shirt for so long, and I've been there myself, you don't really see that you need a break but the manager should.
“It happened to me a couple of times, I didn't agree with it at the time but I definitely came back better and I'm sure Dan will do the same.”
Alexander had no doubts about Nicholls’ quality
Nicholls put in a stirring performance in his first league start for the club, making a string of top saves - getting a strong hand to Wellington’s rasping drive the stand out - when North End were up against it.
Alexander never doubted his capability of stepping in between the sticks.
“He's a good goalkeeper. I knew that,” he said. “We've played against him in the past. I've seen him in training.
“He's a senior, No.1 goalkeeper. We've got two senior No.1 goalkeepers. So we should have competition like we have competition all the way through the squad.
“I don't see why the goalkeeper department should be any different to that. But they support each other, they push each other and I'm delighted we've got two good goalkeepers in the squad.
“I'm delighted for Nico and the rest of the balls getting the clean sheet, which has been a long time coming but they've certainly worked hard for it today.”