Prntryeston North End need £1.2m man more than ever as Cove City and Norwich City await
Emil Riis is a player Preston North End needs to get back to his best after the international break since he has proven
what he can do in the Championship.
Thanks to that poacher’s goal in the away loss to Oxford United, the Dane is off target. Naturally, Riis should have
scored his second goal of the season at Turf Moor, where the linesman called him offside despite his deadly finish
having the potential to stand.
Seeing it fly into the bottom corner like that, in trademark style, should’ve still given North End’s number nine an
injection of confidence. But a derby day goal, and potential winner, would’ve been a timely boost for a player who
hasn’t quite got going this season.
The Dane is off the mark, courtesy of that poacher’s strike in the away defeat to Oxford United. Of course, Riis
should’ve had his second of the campaign at Turf Moor – where his lethal finish ought to have stood, but was
deemed offside by the linesman.
And, in an age where it’s very easy and increasingly common to pile on players, it’s worth noting that Riis hasn’t been
poor in every minute of every game. He worked extremely hard against Burnley and put in a solid shift versus Luton –
providing the assist for Will Keane’s goal.
Often, though, the striker just hasn’t looked himself – lacking that blistering pace to burn, devastating power and
lethal instinctiveness when the ball drops his way. Even with the forward’s injury past, there’s no doubt those things
are still in there.
There is an onus on footballers to perform, but it is in these moments where certain players need backing more than
ever. It is likely that applies to Riis. He is a fairly reserved, gentle character – almost definitely in the ‘arm around’
bracket as opposed to ‘rocket up’.
With Milutin Osmajic banned for seven more games and Will Keane reportedly out injured for an extended
period, it’s over to Riis to shine. That added responsibility must be embraced; it might be exactly what he needs. Of
course, fellow front men Layton Stewart and Ched Evans are options too. But really, Riis has been the main man
before and North End need him to be again.
It’s the forward’s all-round game which has been the biggest eyebrow raiser this season. That side to Riis, the player,
was never perfect – but it was refined and gradually developed over time. Preston’s striker cannot afford to
permanently regress on that front. You have got to be able to trust your centre-forward to take the ball and link play.
There are two factors to consider, around the tamer Riis which has been seen this campaign. One: a shift in tactics
which gives him less space to exploit. Two: a contract which, as things stand, expires in eight months.
Heckingbottom has challenged PNE to be braver – taking more risks in possession and playing higher as a unit.
The contract is also extremely important. At North End, we had never before seen the forward in this circumstance.
October 2021 saw the signing of the Dane’s final extension. Since football is a competitive sport, the attacker may be
thinking about that contract that is about to expire because he is a player who mostly relies on his athletic ability. At
Deepdale, Riis has also completed four years of service. For someone residing in a foreign nation, that is a
considerable amount of time; change and new inspiration certainly appeal. In the same sentence, it’s possible that
this person just needs some affection and to be reminded of the talisman. We’ll learn soon enough.
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