Alan Browne M Sunderland b.1995

[tetsujin1979]

Signed a new three year deal at Preston: https://www.pnefc.net/news/2017/july/alan-browne-signs-new-preston-north-end-contract/
Didn't realise he's only 22

[Olé Olé]

Signed a new three year deal at Preston: https://www.pnefc.net/news/2017/july/alan-browne-signs-new-preston-north-end-contract/
Didn't realise he's only 22
Which, in fairness, is very young for a centre midfielder. Aside from McCarthy, we haven't had many young centre midfielders make an impression on our team, particularly those more defensive or holding focused like Browne can play. Hendrick is more of an attacking midfielder (an 8 perhaps) I think.

He has a lot of appearances racked up already but lots of time on his side. A good indication of his potential was that he didn't look out of his depth when he came on against Arsenal in the FA cup. Fingers crossed he pushes on.

[DannyInvincible]

Browne scored from the centre-circle for Preston tonight against Cardiff.

Video here: https://twitter.com/pnefc1973/status/907706379405807622

Great strike. The game ended 3-0 to Preston with Seáni Maguire recording Preston's second of the game, which was also his second league goal for Preston.

[irishfan86]

Can anyone who watches Preston play post a bit about his style of play/position? Is he a box-to-box guy, a creater, a guy who sits in front of the back four -- or is more of No. 10 -- for whatever reason he's totally off my radar but as mentioned in that other thread for an Irish player who is 22 and has essentially been a starter for three straight season (this is his fourth) he seems to not get much love around here until this wonder goal....

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

He normally plays as one of a two in front of the defense, breaking up balls and keeping things moving, but has played further forward more recently.

Most PNE fans see him as more of a destroyer than a creator.

Neil probably likes him because of his engine.

[Charlie Darwin]

He's of a similar type to McCarthy, albeit not as talented.

[Olé Olé]

And that's the issue with McCarthy. For their comparable talents, Browne may yet go on to have a very good career in the PL. Maybe not in the top half but it doesn't look like McCarthy, at present, will be in the top half much longer if he doesn't turn it around at Everton.

PNE fans reckon Browne really improved under Grayson and it looks as though he's not stopping his development under Neil as he seems to be playing more regularly at present than he did last season, from what I can tell.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I fear for McCarthy TBH. I think he has already reached his peak at this level.

It's hard to see him getting much ball before January at the least.

[Olé Olé]

I think because he's young and he's Irish and he's featured quite frequently in the Championship and League One from a young age, that maybe we (or I) haven't been fully in tune with the level of performances or ability shown by Browne.

Anyway, it looks like over the past 8 weeks he has been immense and playing at a level many PNE fans didn't expect of him: http://www.pne-online.net/forum/showthread.php?105084-Alan-Browne/page24

[Kingdom]

I'll be honest, I didn't realise he's only 22.

[dr_peepee]

Can anyone recall the last time a player transferred from the the Championship (or Football league) in Early 20s to have a good Premiership Career... I’m not talking a prodigious teen with half a season.. I mean someone with a couple/few seasons pedigree transferring up and being a success. (To be clear I’m not denigrating. I’m looking for a barometer to be hopeful)

[tetsujin1979]

Deli Alli?

[backstothewall]

Harry Maguire

Matt Ritchie

Jamie Vardy

Rickie Lambert

Stephen Ward

Jon Walters

[Olé Olé]

Aaron Creswell (24)
Nathaniel Clyne (21)
Michael Antonio (25)

[samhaydenjr]

Jeff Hendrick's career is actually a good comparison for Browne - broke through in his teens, played over 200 games for Derby and it was looking like his career might have plateaued before he got the move to Burnley aged 24. We really have to get Browne some games as he seems to be a potential like-for-like back-up for our injury-prone James McCarthy.

[samhaydenjr]

Seventh goal of the season for Browne tonight as Preston kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Leeds: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43624040

[tricky_colour]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTNwqJHZrhM

[samhaydenjr]

Browne kept Preston's play-off hope alive with the only goal against Sheffield United today: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43846715 I think what's been really impressive about Browne is how he's managed to raise his game to a new level on several occasions in his career. I mean, he wasn't a wonderkid nursed to stardom by a Premier League club's academy - moving from a LOI youth set-up to one of the bigger League One clubs is a big step up, yet he established himself quickly in the first team. And when Preston got promoted, there were question marks about whether he could cut it in The Championship, but he moved his game onto another level and became a first-team mainstay. And after it seemed that he had plateaued a little last season and fans started to ask if he was a hardworking, but limited player, he upped his game again this season, scoring five goals since February and garnering praise from Preston fans for his improvement.

This career path really seems to have suited him. If he had gone to an English academy in his mid-teens, by now he might be getting cast off to try to start a senior career with possibly a handful of loan appearances under his belt; whereas his path has led to over 150 appearances. And remember, he only just turned 23, so hopefully there's even more improvement to come so that he can make the leap to Premier league and international level football.

[tetsujin1979]

New contract for Browne at Preston: https://www.pnefc.net/news/2018/july/alan-browne-agrees-new-preston-north-end-contract/

[liamoo11]

just saw brownes effort today that smashed off underside of bar and came down inside the line but was ruled out cause the outside circumference of the ball was just touching the line. Never saw that before basically from the side view the whole ball was behind the line. The Gibson tackle to get sent off was around the lads knees!

[samhaydenjr]

Fourth of the season for Browne today: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45885162#tab-0. I generally give credit to Martin O'Neill for how he has used the limited opportunities he has been afforded to give players a chance to impress (I believe he's given debuts to about 20 players and I know Browne was one of them). I don't like to jump on bandwagons that have been going about LOI players, underage stars and Matt Doherty. But I would question why he wasn't involved more so far in the Autumn internationals - he really seems to be a player on the up and it would surely be better for him to go into the main qualifiers next March with 7 or 8 appearances under his belt rather than 3 or 4

[samhaydenjr]

Fifth of the season for Browne: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46244064

[Stuttgart88]

2 assists and MOTM too.

[Olé Olé]

He was poor against Turkey but received limited opportunities from MON. A real option for Mick.

[Closed Account]

Anther goal

[samhaydenjr]

Ninth goal of the season for Browne yesterday - how often do Irish midfielders hit double figures in The Championship or above? He's got to play a significant part in the qualifiers.

[Closed Account]

Another goal
https://streamable.com/fwr2p

[Olé Olé]

That's a gorgeous goal. Between the flick to bring it onto his left and the cool placing of the finish. He made a mug of his marker too with the subtle movement back.

I think MON wrong this lad and didn't give him many chances after a poor showing against Turkey. I think Mick would be mad not to see him as a huge asset. Surely PL bound too for next season.

[liamoo11]

That's a gorgeous goal. Between the flick to bring it onto his left and the cool placing of the finish. He made a mug of his marker too with the subtle movement back.

I think MON wrong this lad and didn't give him many chances after a poor showing against Turkey. I think Mick would be mad not to see him as a huge asset. Surely PL bound too for next season.

To me the question is where in a midfield three or a diamond midfield should he play? Didn't seem comfortable anchoring in his games under Martin does he have the guile to be a ten type at international level or would his limited passing ability be found out. So does that leave him as an eight maybe similar to in my opinion the best position for the likes of hendrick, and hourihan

[samhaydenjr]

And make it eleven for Browne as Preston beat Bolton 2-1. Maguire played the full 90. Luca Connell started for bolton but was substituted after 23 minutes (never a good sign) https://www.pnefc.net/news/2019/february/bolton-wanderers-vs-preston-north-end-match-report/

[Razors left peg]

Why is Browne not spoken about in higher regard? The amount of goals he is getting is unbelievable and he seems to be MOM every week. Yet Ive not seen him being linked with a move to a bigger club.

The technique for the the shot that hit the crossbar last night before the rebound for Maguires goal was incredible.

Is he a poor passer of the ball and so wont make it in the Premiership? Hes only 23, is he the one we should be looking to build a midfield around at the moment?

[CraftyToePoke]

Failed his audition under MON no ?

Linked with Wolves through the window.

[Razors left peg]

Failed his audition under MON no ?

Linked with Wolves through the window.

Failed in a team that was set up to fail I would say

[CraftyToePoke]

Failed in a team that was set up to fail I would say

Thrown under a bus a little bit perhaps.
We'll see I've a feeling another chance won't be long coming his way.

Murray on Quest on the EFL highlights show goes on about him most weeks.

[Razors left peg]

Thrown under a bus a little bit perhaps.
We'll see I've a feeling another chance won't be long coming his way.

Murray on Quest on the EFL highlights show goes on about him most weeks.

Im living in the States so don't get to see much Championship unless I seek it out.

But even if you look at the thread on here its only 5 pages..... he probably needs to threaten to declare for England and we'd all get more hyped about him.

Seems like he is a better player than Hendrick was at his age in the Championship ?

[CraftyToePoke]

Im living in the States so don't get to see much Championship unless I seek it out.

But even if you look at the thread on here its only 5 pages..... he probably needs to threaten to declare for England and we'd all get more hyped about him.

Seems like he is a better player than Hendrick was at his age in the Championship ?

He's improving. Don't know if anyone saw this type of goals return in an ordinary side coming but he's looking better each week. Stick a London accent on him and its a 100 page thread, yes.

Can you get QuestOD there ?
Good hour long all in one highlight show each week.

[samhaydenjr]

Im living in the States so don't get to see much Championship unless I seek it out.

But even if you look at the thread on here its only 5 pages..... he probably needs to threaten to declare for England and we'd all get more hyped about him.

Seems like he is a better player than Hendrick was at his age in the Championship ?

Well, as of January 1st, he qualifies under residency, right?

[tricky_colour]

He has improved, he deserves another shot, he was only what 22? In his early games.

[Olé Olé]

Mick has spoke about him in glowing terms. Hendrick appears to be playing well on the right for Burnley. I think Browne will establish himself as a starter for us. He'll be afforded more opportunities and trust than O'Neill did.

[tricky_colour]

I doubt O'Neil's method of play suits him at all.

[tetsujin1979]

made his 200th appearance for Preston at the weekend
1114799974615736321

[Stuttgart88]

Mick has spoke about him in glowing terms. Hendrick appears to be playing well on the right for Burnley. I think Browne will establish himself as a starter for us. He'll be afforded more opportunities and trust than O'Neill did.I agree, and it's a shame he missed an early chance to stake his claim, but who of Whelan/Hourihane/Hendrick would he be likely to replace? Hendrick?

[Cathalsmart]

I think for the moment he should be an impact sub, Mick’s mission should be to build as stable a team as possible and if Browne continues to make an impression off the bench than I would look to include him. The only thing that Mick should be looking to change imo is find a replacement for McClean.

[DeLorean]

O'Dowda for McClean is an easy one for me. Hourihane and Hendrick are safe enough after their goals/performances but maybe Brady could be in trouble.

[samhaydenjr]

Surprised there's been no comment on Browne's thread for ten months - came off the bench to score the winner today: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51512265

[Eirambler]

Probably the most under the radar Irish player in the top two divisions in England. Four years of regular championship football behind him now and he's still only 24. Maybe time for him to move on from Preston to one of the Championship big hitters if there's no Premier League move going for him.

[tetsujin1979]

FAI Young Player of the Year for 2019
1291260215254343681

[Real ale Madrid]

"Young"

[dynamo kerry]

Probably the most under the radar Irish player in the top two divisions in England. Four years of regular championship football behind him now and he's still only 24. Maybe time for him to move on from Preston to one of the Championship big hitters if there's no Premier League move going for him.

Seemed to lose his way a little this year...only 4 league goals. Was on the bench a lot. Not sure if he was carrying an injury. He needs to aggressively seek a move to a club chasing promotion. Somewhere he'll definitely play. Finding such a club could be a challenge. Which championship club is going to make a serious run at the premier league but lacks a CM of quality.. ?

The last irish player purchased out of the championship into the premier league was Robinson. I challenge anyone to name the next most recent. :) promotion is the way to do it.

Fun fact Preston are one of very few clubs in the championship not to have played in the premier league. Millwall, bristol city, luton some of the others.

[Diggs246]

who were the other candidates?