Leeds United loanee Sam Greenwood has had an up and down start to life at Preston North End, but had arguably his best night yet in the Carabao Cup.
Greenwood is one of just five players currently out on loan from Leeds in what is arguably his very last chance to show he has what it takes to make it at Elland Road.
It has not been an easy start to life for him at Deepdale with PNE sacking the manager who signed him in Ryan Lowe after the first game of the season.
He has continued to play regularly under new boss Paul Heckingbottom, though it has still been a struggle for results as they sit in 21st place on four points.
However, the Carabao Cup has provided Greenwood and his teammates with a welcome break from the league, netting twice in the last round against Harrogate Town, and now knocking out Premier League side Fulham.
PNE media rave about Leeds loanee Greenwood
Greenwood actually started on the bench for PNE against Fulham but was brought onto the field with just over 20 minutes left, with the score at 1-1.
Ryan Ledson’s goal had sent the hosts 1-0 up heading into the break until Reiss Nelson levelled proceedings on the hour mark.
Greenwood was brought on in a tough period of the game for North End but was able to help send the game to penalties, which is where he really stepped up.
In what was an incredible shootout, both sides took 17 penalties meaning Greenwood was among those who stepped up twice, scoring on each occasion.
PNE went onto win the shootout 16-15 and progress through to the next round, with the Lancashire Evening News heaping praise on Greenwood for both his performance, and penalties.
They wrote: “Sam Greenwood – 7. Did both sides of the game well after being brought on. His spot kicks were top quality.
“Added a bit of nous in the closing stages of normal time and made no mistake in the shootout. A couple of very confident penalties stuck away.”
How has Greenwood fared on the whole at PNE?
As mentioned, Greenwood has had a mixed time of it in Lancashire and that is because pretty much all of his success has come in the cup.
Greenwood is yet to register a goal or an assist in the Championship so far, despite starting three of PNE’s five matches.
Just like at Leeds, Greenwood has played in a number of different positions including central midfield and on the right of attack, and that is probably working against him.
Between now and the end of the season, Greenwood really needs to nail down a fixed position if he has any chance of making it at Leeds, which admittedly, is unlikely.
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