Pickford (Ultimate Football Heroes--International Edition)--includes the World Cup Journey! by Matt Oldfield

Author:Matt Oldfield [Matt and Tom Oldfield]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781789460513
Publisher: John Blake
Published: 2018-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

IMPRESSING AT PRESTON

At the start of the 2015–16 season, Dick Advocaat called Jordan to his office for the kind of chat that he was now very used to. Surprise, surprise – another loan move!

‘Jordan, we love what you’re doing in training,’ Dick said. ‘It’s just that we’re expecting to be in a relegation battle again this season and it’s a tough time to bring in a young keeper. You’ve got many great years ahead of you and I hope that most of them will be spent at Sunderland.’

Jordan nodded. He understood the message and he was now more interested in hearing about where he would be playing this season.

‘Preston North End are interested, and we think it’s a great fit. That’ll be your first taste of Championship football and another chance to add to your game.’

Jordan jumped out of his seat to shake Dick’s hand. ‘That’s great news! I’m up for the challenge.’

As Jordan left the office, he felt confident enough to turn around and say, ‘Make sure you’re watching my games, though. You’ll like what you see, I promise!’

The first person that Jordan met when he arrived at Preston was Alan Kelly, his goalkeeper coach. Jordan had heard about Alan’s career at Sheffield United and Blackburn.

‘I’m going to push you hard, but you’ll thank me later,’ Alan said. ‘I’ve watched a lot of tape of your games at Bradford and for the Sunderland youth teams. I wouldn’t say this if I didn’t mean it: you’ve got all the tools to be one of the best keepers in the game.’

Jordan went bright red. He couldn’t think of anything to say at first, and finally managed to reply: ‘Thanks, that means a lot.’

‘We’ll work on everything, but I know you’re already a top shot-stopper and you’re good with the ball at your feet. I’m more interested in things like positioning and just keeping your mind sharp.’

The Preston manager Simon Grayson was a big fan of Jordan too. ‘We’ve had our eye on you for a while. When we got promoted last season, we felt it was the right time to take a chance and call Sunderland. I really believe you can help us stay in the Championship this season.’

Jordan liked to keep count of his clean sheets, and Preston’s defensive game plan gave him good protection. He started the season with a 0–0 draw against Middlesbrough, then made two great saves in a 1–0 win over Milton Keynes Dons. Jordan added two more clean sheets, taking his tally to four by the end of August.

He was growing in confidence with every game, and he hoped Dick was watching. But by October, Dick had resigned with Sunderland in the bottom three and Sam Allardyce had been brought in. Yet again, Jordan was left wondering what this change of management might mean for him.

‘Just focus on your football,’ his dad told him one night in mid-October. ‘Everything else is out of your control.’

It was good advice. Jordan went out and made his

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