Ryan Ledson recognised the importance of Preston North End marking the start of Ryan Lowe’s tenure as manager with a victory – as the Lilywhites beat Barnsley 2-1 – while the midfielder also registered his 100th appearance for the club.
Ledson came off the bench to set-up Daniel Johnson’s winning goal 12 minutes from time, after Alan Browne’s opener had been cancelled out by a Cauley Woodrow header – with all three goals coming in the second half.
The No.18 told iFollow PNE that new gaffer Lowe has proven ‘enthusiastic’ since his appointment on Tuesday and was pleased his first game in charge resulted in victory.
“With the new manager coming in, it was important we got off to a bright start and three points there today is brilliant for us,” he said.
“It’s been very good. He’s [Lowe] come in, he’s been really enthusiastic, wanting to play attacking football and I think we got that today.
“Scoring the two goals, I thought the first one we worked brilliantly with DJ and into Browney. It’s a great start for him and for us as well, and long may it continue.”
Ledson stepped off the bench with little over 20 minutes remaining and teed up the winning goal for team-mate Johnson soon afterwards.
The 24-year-old hopes his impact can help him to break into the starting XI, but is ready to make a difference from the bench again if required.
“Of course, you want to play every game but I think he’s made it clear that we’re a team here and obviously even coming on like that and making an impact, that can just be as good as starting the game. It’s a great start for us and we’re looking to carry on that next week.
“All I can do is go on the pitch and try my best and try my best for the team. Hopefully I can be in the starting XI and if I’m not next week, then I’ll make sure I’m ready to come on again.”
Ledson was pleased with both goals – seeing team-mate Alan Browne finish for a deserved goal for the skipper on an individual note and replicating an old set piece routine from First Team Coach and former colleague Paul Gallagher for the second.
“Credit to Alan. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s a great lad. I’ve been with him for a number of years now and I’m made up that he got that goal today because it’s nothing more than what he deserves.
“We’ve worked on it [the set piece routine] for a good few years. When I first came to the club, Gally used to do it to to DJ, and DJ did it to Gally.
“Now Gally’s sitting down on the bench there, I thought obviously I’ll take it. As soon as we got the free-kick in that area, we knew what was coming.”
Ledson said the focus will now during a free midweek in terms of Championship action will be looking to further implement the manager’s style and looking to secure a positive result next time out at Millwall, away at The Den next weekend.
“It’s brilliant for him [Lowe] and the staff to get three points first off and then we’re ready to have another good week. We go to Millwall looking for three points again.
“I think the lads are going to enjoy the way we’re going to play. Obviously, we want to play out from the back, it didn’t go very well today. The weeks we have working on the training ground, hopefully we’ll got better.
“We want the fans to be with us and we want to get this place bouncing. I thought credit to them, they were brilliant today, and hopefully we can make Deepdale a hard place to come to.”
Aside from it being the manager’s first game in charge, it was also a special day for Ledson as he marked a century of appearances for the Lilywhites.
He concluded: “You know how I feel about this club. I love being here and hopefully I can have 100 more. I love being here so hopefully it will continue.”
Watch more from Ledo on iFollow PNE.