Lewis Dobbin of Preston North Endplaceholder image
Lewis Dobbin of Preston North End | CameraSport - Shaun Brooks
The Aston Villa man has scored eight goals and assisted six this season
Lewis Dobbin starts to grin when asked about the gradual improvement of Preston North End’s home pitch. A few months ago, when at its worst, the loan man reshared a video on Instagram of his mid-September strike against Middlesbrough - when the grass was green and surface pristine.
Dobbin captioned it with a leaf emoji, quite evidently missing the conditions PNE had been used to playing on most weeks. Of everyone in the Lilywhites’ squad, the deterioration of Deepdale’s surface has probably hit the 23-year-old hardest - in terms of stifling the major threat he carries.
To his credit, the former Everton man has tried to embrace the circumstances and make a difference in the final third for Preston. Dobbin broke the deadlock against Watford last month and played a key role in PNE’s comeback win over Stoke City, last Friday. The steady progress of the pitch is certainly a welcomed sight.
“Yeah, it's getting there,” said Dobbin. “It's one of those things. Especially as attacking players, it's frustrating when the pitch isn't really much of a football pitch. But tonight I think there was a bit of slickness on it and we could play our way a little bit more, and I think it showed in our performance. Of course (it has affected us) but I think it’s also helped me and Alfie (Devine), playing a different way.
“It improves different aspects of our game and games became more physical in a sense, because not much football could really be played on the floor. I think in the long run it'll definitely improve my game and it's just one of those things that's not really in our hands, so we just have to deal with it.”
Dobbin mentions Devine, another loanee having an important year in his development as a young player. The pair have been regulars on the pitch for Paul Heckingbottom’s side and away from the action, built up a strong friendship. Dobbin started celebrating before Devine made it 3-1 last time out - the Tottenham Hotspur man has been a big part of making Dobbin’s time at Deepdale so enjoyable.
“Yeah, 100 per cent,” said Dobbin. “I think you can all see how well me and Alfie get on. It reflects on the pitch as well and whenever he goes in on goal, I know he's got the technique and the composure to finish all his chances and he proved that tonight.”
For the team, it’s been a difficult few months - victory over Stoke City was only PNE’s second win in 13 games, and first in eight outings. Dobbin hoped to play a key role in driving Preston to a play-off place and while he isn’t totally giving up on that goal, the Villa man knows the squad owe it to themselves to finish as well as possible.
He said: “Yeah, well this is the thing... you know how tight this league is. A few wins on the bounce and you're straight back into contention and the whole narrative around the club is completely different. So, only we can control it game by game but I think if we put in more performances like tonight, then we can still finish in a really good position.”
Back to Dobbin. On an individual note, the player knows how significant and beneficial this experience is. After a productive spell with Derby in League One, he played 18 games for West Brom without scoring and then netted twice in 11 matches for Norwich City - before injury hampered his end to the season. When he returns to Villa in the summer, Dobbin hopes his full season of Championship football will be clear to see.
“Yeah, I'd say so,” when asked if that is the biggest thing that’ll stand out. “I think the last couple of years have been tough with injuries and not getting much game time, or the momentum I wanted. But I think this season, it's credit to the gaffer and the staff for managing me really well and helping me improve my fitness levels and everything. I think that'll be a big positive but at the same time I'm hoping they notice my performances in a sense as well, so we'll see what happens.”
Dobbin has predominantly hit the headlines for his final third impact, whether it be goals or assists this season. In the 2-2 draw against Watford last month, mind, there was a flashpoint between the loan man and manager Heckingbottom, after Dobbin was taken off the pitch. He admits it can be frustrating being withdrawn when games are in the balance, but knows he will mature and be better off in the long run.
“Yeah, of course,” said Dobbin. “Any player shouldn't really be happy coming off the pitch. We want to play as much football as possible; that's what we love to do. Emotions are high and sometimes it can get frustrating but the gaffer's the gaffer at the end of the day. He knows what he's doing. I've just got to control what I can control. He's been one of the best people I've worked under, to be fair.
“He puts a lot of trust and confidence in me. He doesn't really put too much pressure on me in the fact that he just tells me to go out there and express myself. That's what I try to do and I think it's showed this season. I'd say in senior football it's the first time I've played centrally. It's been a different role and I've really enjoyed it. I think I'm more involved in the play; I'm closer to the goal and I think that's what I strive for.”
As for this summer, the feeling will not be a new one for Dobbin - who is contracted at Villa Park until 2028. At this moment in time he has no clue where his future lies but, while still at Villa, will try his utmost to get a look in.
”I just take it game by game and see what happens,” said Dobbin. “Football's a weird game so you never know what's around the corner. I've just got to perform at my highest level and see where that takes me.”
He added: “I'm contracted to Villa. I went there with the aspirations to play for Villa. That's always my goal, that's always the long-term goal. Hopefully, I get the chance one day but if not, it's not the end of the world. I'll back myself to have a good move if I was to leave Villa. We'll just see what happens in the future but definitely my aim is to play for Villa one day. “
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