Championship Left Winger of the Season: Preston’s Aiden McGeady

Magical McGeady – htic.com

When Preston North End first came into the Championship, they were a solid, experienced side lacking in pace and attacking invention. The question was whether Simon Grayson, so often labelled a ‘League One manager’ incapable of developing higher-quality players, could move the team on further.

The answer has been an emphatic yes. Preston have retained their defensive shape whilst adding speed and quality in their forward movements. Ben Pearson presses well, Callum Robinson always plays with a fire in his belly while Chris Maxwell has had a strong debut season in goal.

However, the positive evolution of the Lilywhites is best encapsulated by the performances of Aiden McGeady. Forming arguably the best left-sided partnership in the Championship with full-back Greg Cunningham, he makes 1.8 key passes and 2.5 dribbles per game (WhoScored). Only Anthony Knockaert and Tom Lawrence join McGeady in the Championship’s top 20 list for completing both the most key passes and dribbles.

When the Everton loanee has started, Preston have picked up 39 points from 24. That equates to 1.6 points per game, a return that would over 38 matches put North End level on points with Sheffield Wednesday in sixth. Instead, there is currently a five-point gap to the play-off places – should they bridge it, McGeady will be one of the main reasons why.