.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim= "One major change at Preston North End this season with loan man at the heart of it - Lancashire Evening Post")
The Lilywhites take on Wrexham this weekend at Deepdale
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One main fear around Preston North End over the summer was goals.
Emil Riis, a player who split opinion but provided a reliable source of them, left on a free transfer after hitting double figures in the league. Sam Greenwood, contributor of five, also moved on while Brad Potts - who tends to chip in with his fair share - was sidelined for a lengthy period.
Those concerns were somewhat eased over August, with the double loan swoop for Alfie Devine and Lewis Dobbin. And how time has told since then, with the pair playing a central role in boosting Preston’s goal threat as a team. Devine’s league numbers (3G 1A) don’t quite reflect the value he has added but for Dobbin, five goals - all non-penalties - and four assists is an eye-catching effort.
A word for Daniel Jebbison, too. The Canadian has endured some injury frustration but has three goals and two assists to his name. Michael Smith and Thierry Small have both found the net on three occasions each, on top of the four scored by last season’s top scorer across all competitions, Milutin Osmajic.
It looked like there might be a great weight on the Montenegrin’s shoulders to score Preston’s goals this season, but this is a squad sharing the load nicely. North End are 14th for xG (21.7) but eighth for goals scored (25) - maintaining that clinical edge will be key but it’s not an unrealistic challenge.
Mads Frokjaer scored his second goal last time out and with finishes of that calibre up his sleeve, the Dane must aim for his best scoring season at Preston. On the eye, PNE have resembled a side with threat and goals in them. They are not perfect but, undoubtedly, a more entertaining, engaging watch than previous seasons. Home or away, you feel the Lilywhites can find those moments.
All players mentioned deserve credit for how they’ve chipped in and the variety of traits they’ve brought to the table. The output of Dobbin in particular, though, ought to be highlighted. Nine goal contributions in 14 league appearances is no mean feat and a further advert for the quality which can be found via the loan market.
Dobbin isn’t the finished article; if he was he’d be playing at a higher level. But he brings attributes which make him a dangerous operator in the final third: speed, dribbling, finishing. Playing for a manager who appears to be managing him efficiently, Dobbin has seized the opportunity given to him by Preston, on the back of an encouraging stint at Norwich last season.
He clearly has a knack of assisting and scoring goals, something PNE have dearly missed in many recent campaigns. They are different profiles but Callum Robinson comes to mind with Dobbin. Like the former fan favourite, Dobbin won’t always look as though he’s having the greatest game. But he will always be trying things and, at any given moment, could come up with the goods for North End.
Those players make the difference and have to be embraced. Together with Devine, North End have two technically sharp attackers who not only add creativity and flair, but work their socks off and understand the game. If Heckingbottom’s men are to fulfill the potential this season seems to have, you can count on the pair being instrumental. Keeping them fit and firing is essential.