PNE in Numbers: Where Preston North End stand on disciplinary front

ALSO READ >>>>> Preston North End midfield ace Paul Gallagher closing in on century of goalsHaving been so crucial in Preston North End’s upturn in fortunes over the last couple of weeks, the midfielder will be suspended when the Lilywhites return to action at Hull on October 20.

It will be the fourth game he has missed this season despite the Championship campaign only being 12 matches old.

Pearson’s pivotal role in the PNE side is undisputed.

Despite missing plenty of action he has played 919 minutes this season, putting him fifth in the squad.

There’s no doubting he needs to pick up less cards though, Alex Neil regularly pointing to dissent as his main problem even given the criticism of his tackle on Wigan’s Nick Powell that saw him pick up his fifth yellow card of the campaign last time out.

Overall North End are third in the FA’s disciplinary table with 26 yellow cards and two red cards in 15 games in all competitions. That adds up to 128 points.

Nottingham Forest lead the way on 180 points, thanks to 37 yellow cards and three reds. Derby are second, 31 bookings and one red card adding up to 136.

As for PNE Alan Browne is next in line for a suspension on four bookings.

Darnell Fisher has the same number but with two of those coming in the League Cup he has already served a ban in that competition as per new rules this season.

Also on the disciplinary front, Deepdale witnessed a first on Saturday with a manager carded.

Under another change this campaign, Wigan boss Paul Cook was booked by referee Lee Probert in the second half.

According to the FA that classes as a stage one warning, four resulting in a one-match touchline ban.

The 4-0 victory over Latics left North End 22nd in the Championship over the international break.

The numbers make it clear where the issues have been. Eighteen goals in 12 games mean that the Lilywhites average 1.50 a game, higher than the league average of 1.34.

But the two goals a game being shipped, 24 conceded in the league so far, are what have left PNE looking up at the rest of the table rather than down.

They have been shipping goals at crucial times too.

Ten have come in the final 15 minutes of the first half, never a good time to concede, while with eight, the final quarter of an hour of games has also been something of a problem.

Hopefully the clean sheet against Wigan is a sign of things to come.