Three impressive displays from players whose North End futures are up in the air

Two goals from Emil Riis and a penalty from man of the match Sam Greenwood saw Preston run out comfortable winners in the end, but it wasn’t all plain sailing.

Poacher’s Goal

Emil Riis has had a mixed season with the Dane, which at times frustrates supporters. He clearly works better in a front two or with someone like Sam Greenwood right behind him, and struggles to hold the ball up at times when needed to take the pressure off. In the 2021–22 season, Riis plundered 20 goals in all competitions and was supported by the likes of Ched Evans and Cameron Archer.

The next two seasons were disrupted by injury with a year long layoff due to ACL damage. Since coming back, Riis has been hot and cold, but we know he likes to drift out wide and use his pace and power to get back inside.

But a striker must also pick up the hard targets. On Sunday, Riis did exactly that. If you position yourself centrally, between the posts, chances will come your way.

He only needed the slightest touch for the first goal after Jack Whatmough’s perfect header across the goalmouth. It’s worth noting that Whatmough timed his run very well, bringing himself back into an onside position just before Ali McCann whipped the ball in.

Riis’ second goal secured the three points and it was thanks to some fine running and effort from Greenwood, combined with Wednesday’s inability to clear the lines. Riis was able to slot the ball past the impressive James Beadle to grab his seventh goal of the season.

Riis is in his fifth season at the club, but his contract expires next summer. It’s hard to say whether he sees his future at Preston or whether he wants a new challenge. It was just over two years ago that Middlesbrough reportedly made a £7.5m bid for the striker.

Preston rejected that bid but could now face the possibility of seeing him leave on a free transfer.

Greenwood excellent

Preston have found themselves with another incredible loan player on their books. In recent years we’ve seen many talented players arrive at Deepdale on a short-term deal, go on to endear themselves to the fans with fantastic performances, only for it to end in heartbreak when they don’t return for another round.

Liam Millar was one of the more recent frustrations, with the Canadian not willing to sign permanently to play as a wing-back and joining Hull City for a similar fee to the one we paid for the little-used Jeppe Okkels. Millar’s season is already over due to injury, but it was disappointing not to see him return anyway.

Sam Greenwood has lit up Deepdale with many fine displays this season and the one against The Owls was probably his best.

He really came alive in the second half, finding space between the lines and driving forward while Wednesday struggled to deal with him. With four players chasing him, Greenwood weaved his way into the box before pulling it back for Ali McCann who should have scored.

Even in the tightest of spaces he can create something, as he did when he hit the crossbar with a shot that dipped a little too late. Wednesday would equalize soon after but Greenwood would continue to cause havoc in their defence.

Another fine run forward resulted in a strong shot which Beadle parried but Preston kept up the pressure and within a minute Josh Bowler had been fouled in the box. Greenwood stepped up to score his third penalty of the season.

The 22-year-old on loan from Leeds United would also contribute to the third goal, with his shot saved once again by Beadle, Riis was theirs to slot the ball home in front of the Town End.

There is believed to be a clause in place to make the loan agreement a permanent onebut his wages would increase if Leeds won promotion, making it harder for Preston to afford him.

Perhaps they could consider tying down a deal in January, but then that would eat into an already tight budget, with other areas of the squad currently more pressing. Either way, we have to make sure we don’t let another good player slip through our hands.

Storey’s form should lead to a new deal

The Preston North End defense has been a hot topic this season and it is believed that it should have been strengthened in the summer. With Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, Andrew Hughes, Patrick Bauer and Kian Best out of contract this summer, the defense is likely to have a new look this time next year.

But in four of the last five games, the backline has really stepped up and put in some strong displays overall. Clean sheets against Cardiff City and Hull City were crucial to get the three points, while backs to the wall against Leeds deserved more than just a point.

On Sunday, Storey made several vital challenges and interceptions as Sheffield Wednesday got into dangerous positions. Hughes and Whatmough were also impressive on the day.

Storey enjoyed a loan spell with The Owls in 2022 and has been with Preston since 2018, becoming a regular in defense for the past three seasons. Now 27-year-old Storey’s next contract is a key one. That will dictate how his peak year will play out. He’s been a solid player for the club, but until recently you’d probably say it’s 50/50 among fans whether he should be kept.

However, his form has come at a perfect time and you would expect to see an extension announced in the next month or so.

Bowler may still have a role to play

When Heckingbottom tried to make Josh Bowler his only signing for the club, you’d think it would see us change formation and the former Blackpool winger would be a big part of that. Instead, the wing-back formation has continued, and together with Okkels, Bowler has had to sit on the sidelines.

With Brad Potts and Robbie Brady unavailable, Bowler was brought in down the right for just his fifth start of the season. Last week it was reported that Preston was looking to cancel the loan. But in the win over Wednesday, Bowler played his part. He won the penalty to get back into the game and on a couple of occasions showed that he can stretch defenses and get into dangerous positions with his neat footwork.

He is certainly a very different option than Potts, and should have seen more playing time this season. It remains to be seen whether he will get many more chances, but he is likely to start on New Year’s Day against West Bromwich Albion.

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