"Actually surprised me" - Claim made on "absolutely terrific" Preston North End star Robbie Brady | OneFootball

FLW's Preston fan pundit has identified which player has surprised him most so far this season

Preston North End are currently on an unbeaten run that stretches back to 28 September.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side have not lost in any of their last five games, but have only been able to reach 16th in the table in that period.

The Lilywhites will be aiming to climb up the Championship standings in the coming weeks and months, with their sights set on a top half finish.

Heckingbottom took charge at the end of August, replacing Ryan Lowe, and is still getting to grips with his new surroundings in many ways.

His arrival has had an impact on the squad, with some players stepping up to the new challenge, while some have fallen by the wayside.

Robbie Brady surprise claim

When asked which player in the squad has surprised them the most this season, FLW’s Preston fan pundit Darren Watson named Robbie Brady.

He has praised the Irishman’s impact this year, and suggested his current injury issue could be a real problem for the team if he is out for too long.

“I think one player that’s actually surprised me with his performance levels so far this season would be Robbie Brady,” Watson told Football League World.

“Obviously he had a good season last season, but I don’t know what it is at the beginning of this season, he suddenly seems to have switched something on.

“Not just for Preston, but obviously for Ireland as well, he’s played really, really well.

“Obviously getting in the side, he scored a goal for Ireland in the international break and assisted one.

“But he’s always put a good shift in as well, every time he steps out and puts on a white shirt for North End.

“I really like Robbie Brady, think he’s an absolutely terrific player, he’s been a terrific servant for the club as well.

“I’m just hearing reports at the moment that he’s actually injured, so he’s going to be out for a number of weeks, it’s been reported by Paul Heckingbottom.

“Which is a real shame, and actually could come to hurt us because he’s really solid on the ball, really good player who likes to get stuck in, and probably one of the best players this season so far for us.

“I think every performance he’s put in in the shirt has been really good, and I think we really will miss him for however long he’s out now with this injury.

“Robbie Brady always puts a shift in, performance levels have been really good so far this season in the games we’ve played so far.”

Robbie Brady’s importance to Preston

Brady has featured in 10 of Preston’s 12 league games so far this season, but is now set for some time on the sidelines (all stats from Fbref).

The 32-year-old is in his third season at Deepdale, and made 66 appearances in the Championship prior to this campaign getting underway.

So far in his Lilywhites career he has contributed one goal and nine assists in the league, helping the team come 12th and 10th under Lowe.

Next up for Heckingbottom’s side is an EFL Cup clash at home to Arsenal on Wednesday evening in a 7.45pm kick-off.

Robbie Brady absence will be a blow for Preston

Brady has made a strong start to the season, and his goal and assist for Ireland during the international break was a sign that he’s back to his best form after a difficult period with injuries in recent years.

It would have been easy to write him off when he arrived at Preston due to those injury issues, but he has been an excellent servant for the club.

He will be missed now while he is on the sidelines, and Heckingbottom will be hoping the versatile veteran won’t be out for too long.