Preston manager Ryan Lowe speaks out on ‘brilliant’ Everton loanee Tom Cannon after goalscoring form
Preston manager Ryan Lowe believes Everton loanee Tom Cannon has been “brilliant” since his January loan move but admitted he told the striker there was one area of improvement that would increase his goalscoring output.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo (24 March), Lowe admitted that he told the Republic of Ireland youth international to take a breath and relax before taking an effort on goal instead of snatching at efforts in the final third.
Cannon, 20, was one of the shining lights of the Toffees academy in the first half of the season and was brought into the first-team fold by Frank Lampard on either side of the World Cup.
After initially struggling at Preston following his loan move, Cannon has now started to find the goals more consistently, netting two goals in his last three games.
“He’s been a breath of fresh air,” Lowe said on the Blue academy star.
“He has been excellent. I watched Tom a few times for Everton Under-21s and I thought to myself ‘he has definitely got an eye for goal’.
“I also look at attitude before I sign any player and when I met Tom and spoke with him I knew straight away he was a nice fella.
“We talked to Tom a lot about taking an extra touch and not snatching at chances. He had always scored goals so I told him not to panic and to relax, and we have coached him to take an extra touch and his goals have come from that calmness.”
Promising signs
After much chatter surrounding the further of Cannon in the January transfer window and whether he would be better off remaining at Goodison Park for the remainder of the season, it seems like the club made the correct decision by sanctioning his loan to Preston.
Over the last few years, the Championship has been a breeding ground for up-and-coming academy players, with the likes of Mason Mount, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes all plying their trade in this league and one stage or another.
For Cannon, Preston seems to be the perfect fit. The young forward is being given regular game time by manager Lowe and he is starting to pay back this faith placed in him with goals.
Hopefully, the 20-year-old can continue his goalscoring exploits at Deepdale and return to Everton in the summer to fight for a first-team spot.
With Neal Maupay looking like he is on the way out of the Goodison Park gates and few other alternatives available to Sean Dyche, Cannon could force his way into first-team proceedings if he maintains his recent form.