I think it’s safe to say that yesterday afternoon was, for the most part, a frustrating one. Ultimately, it matters not as we came away from Deepdale for the second time in less than a week with all 3 points on the board and now sit 3rd in the table.
Here is how we rated the players after yesterday’s win.
Declan Rudd
I’ll start this off by saying, credit where it is due. Declan arguably won us the game yesterday with his save late on in the second half and deserves all the praise that comes his way. He gets the man of the match from me, just for that.
He has been much improved of late and long may it continue. People online need to chill out, though. The one-upmanship amongst some fans in some sections online is boring.
Rating – 8
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Darnell Fisher
A solid enough game for Darnell coming back into the XI after returning from injury. He had a good duel all afternoon with Kazenga Lualua but unfortunately, he seemed to talk himself into the referee’s book for his 10th booking of the season which will now see him out of the next two games against Cardiff City and Leeds United.
He’s now the most cautioned player in the Championship this season averaging a yellow card every 124.9 minutes. No doubt, this is something he need to improve on but take that out of his game and overall, he’s solid.
Rating – 6
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Patrick Bauer
The defence with the BFG back in it in the last 2 games has looked infinitely more settled and assured and yesterday was another solid, steady performance from our resident German. Without a doubt, he’s been missed.
Rating – 7
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Paul Huntington
Continued his fine form since coming back into the side yesterday with another commanding performance at the back. He was, in my opinion, harshly adjudged to have given away a penalty but still, perhaps he was a little slow to the ball and ultimately, gave the referee a decision to make.
Still, as I said, I think it’s a harsh one but despite that, Hunts did well yesterday and has done since coming into the side.
Rating – 7
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Andrew Hughes
Hughesy has slotted back in at left-back with aplomb. Raff has done well deputising but as a right-footed left-back, had his limitations. Hughes gets up and down much better and a lot easier than Raff does.
Also. with it being on his natural side, he’s able to whip balls into the box or switch the ball cross-field much easier than Raff can. Plus, there’s the added bonus that he’s brilliant in the air.
Rating – 7
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Paul Gallagher
Another player back into the XI following an injury lay off. He got the opening goal for us, eventually, after his spot-kick inside the opening 5 or 6 minutes was saved by the Luton Town goalkeeper but he followed it in.
He looked a bit rusty at times but at his age and after being out for a few weeks, it’s no surprise. He could have had a second too had the ball dropped for him in the melee leading to Stockley’s winner. Overall, a solid enough performance from Gally.
Rating – 7
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Ben Pearson
Pearo was awarded man of the match yesterday which was a bit of a surprise to me. He did well enough, as he always tends to, but I wouldn’t have had him down as my man of the match. Perhaps I’m being harsh, I don’t know.
Rating – 6
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Billy Bodin
For me, he disappointed yesterday. Offered little in an attacking sense and I don’t think he was too great covering either but still, hard to criticise a player too much when we have come away with 3 points.
Rating – 6
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Alan Browne
Full of energy and running yesterday but I thought he struggled and for parts of the game he was a tad anonymous. The shorter time on the pitch will hopefully serve him well for Saturday against Cardiff.
It’s worth stating that Browne has done well at right-back this season so far and is likely to find himself there on Saturday lunchtime with Tom Clarke still finding his feet after getting a few minutes at the end against Fulham, Joe Rafferty out suspended and also Darnell Fisher out suspended.
Rating – 6
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Sean Maguire
Did okay but lacked any real sort of spark, really. One thing Seani will always give you is energy and commitment and that was the same yesterday though he looked to struggle for large parts.
I’ve said it for a while, he looks like he needs a bit of a rest and with Barky having missed out on the starting XI in the last couple of games, perhaps we could see a change here in the forthcoming games.
Rating – 6
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David Nugent
As I have said for the others in the front four, he struggled yesterday. In fairness, all of the front four struggled because Luton’s backline was set up to make things difficult and I think it’s fair to say that they did a job on us.
Nuge got his goal on Tuesday night but I’m not sure he’s able to offer much with two games in such a short space of time. Like we have said about Stockley, he will be the answer to some questions at different points through the season and of course, it’s bloody good to see him back in Lilywhite, isn’t it?
Rating – 6
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Substitutes
All of the three substitutes made by Alex Neil were attacking ones and you could argue all three played their part in securing the 3 points. Barky, Harrop and Stockley were all involved in the build-up to the goal so you could say the gaffer’s changes worked.
Jayden Stockley will get the credit for the finish and getting the goal but I thought Harrop and Barky both contributed well too in their time on the pitch. There’s plenty of football still to be played this season and all 3 will have their parts to play in what could be a huge season for us.
If you haven’t yet, check out our “5 Things” piece from yesterday’s game here – 5 Things We Learned From the Luton Town Game.
Finally, give Episode #4 of From the Finney Meets… Graham Alexander a listen below.
