Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman has once again unlocked the potential that he struggled to show during his limited opportunities at Newcastle United. Preston are unbeaten after four games (W1 D3) and are yet to concede a single goal in the Championship.
Woodman has averaged 2.25 saves per game in the second-tier this term with his most notable save, which saw him plunge to his near post to divert Rotherham United's Connor Washington's header to safety, helping preserve Preston's unbeaten record.
The 25-year-old left St James' Park this summer, following nine years on Newcastle's books. He played just four times for the Magpies in the Premier League, all of which came at the start of last season.
Woodman conceded 12 goals in his four top-flight outings before a hip injury saw him sidelined until December 2021. Eddie Howe had succeeded Steve Bruce by the time he returned and Martin Dubravka had been restored between the sticks after recovering from a foot injury.
There was little he could do about the four goals he leaked on his Premier League debut in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of West Ham United. He even saved Michail Antonio's penalty before Tomas Soucek converted from the rebound.
The defeat against Aston Villa told a similar tale with a phenomenal overhead kick from Danny Ings and a penalty from Anwar El Ghazi guiding the Villains to victory.
He conceded from the spot again as Southampton rescued a point with a last-gasp equaliser from James Ward-Prowse, but it was his display at Manchester United that proved to be the final straw.
The build-up to the match was dominated by the homecoming of Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo and it was for his two goals that Woodman was at fault. He spilled Mason Greenwood's deflected shot straight into the path of the Portuguese forward for his first goal just before the break.
And after gifting Ronaldo the opener on his second debut for the Red Devils, Woodman allowed Ronaldo's low drive to creep underneath his body after the break.
Woodman's hip injury prevented him from rectifying his mistakes at Old Trafford and Howe's arrival virtually marked the end of his time at Tyneside. He was loaned to AFC Bournemouth but endured a tough time with the Cherries as he failed to displace Mark Travers from between the sticks.
His departure was quickly followed by the arrival of Nick Pope from Burnley, which would've further restricted his already limited playing opportunities.
Nonetheless, Woodman has always offered promise, especially since starring for England at youth level, as they lifted the U17 European Championship and U20 World Cup in 2014 and 2017 respectively.
His two-season loan spell at Swansea City also generated excitement as he helped guide them into the Championship play-offs in back-to-back seasons. It looks as if Woodman may have found a platform to build from again at Preston, after such a positive introduction to life at Deepdale.
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