Preston v West Brom: Frontman determined to continue making his mark

James Morrison’s men head to Championship basement boys Preston on Saturday with the visitors looking for a third win on the spin.

Summer signing Stewart, 22, started the previous two victories - during both of which his side fought from behind to claim three points. The former Falkirk man opened his Baggies account against Blackburn last time out and wants to carry on the mood at Deepdale.

“It was a bit more a relief than anything, it was a long time coming, but it was a great experience,” Stewart said of a first goal in English football. “It feels better when you’ve played a part.

“Obviously it’s been a bit of an adaption period. It is a step up, and I knew that when I was coming. I’ve been gradually building up my minutes and was fortunate to be given a chance against Wrexham, where we won and I played a part.”

“One hundred per cent,” the Scotland under-21 international said of being ready. “It goes back to the gaffer and how he’s managed me.

“He didn’t want to throw me in the deep end. Heggy (Aune Heggebo) got the ban and I thought ‘OK it might be me’, but he told me he didn’t want to throw me in, sink or swim, he wanted to tweak aspects. Looking back I appreciate it.”

Stewart made 10 Baggies cameos before his first start at Wrexham last week, with minutes few and far between making it tough to stamp his authority on matches.

“I was counting the minutes, it’s not the worst goal-to-minute ratio but it’s still not want you want as a striker, when you come off a season of scoring,” Stewart said. “I put expectations on myself doing better.

“I’m probably the most impatient person you’ll meet, in that sense the gaffer’s had to take me into his office and tell me to calm down, I’ll put a lot of pressure on myself and expect to score every week. But it’s not how football works.

“The manager has been really good talking to me, letting me know where I’m at, where to improve, one-on-one meetings, I’m finally seeing the end product. It’s all a process.”

Saturday’s hosts Preston have just a single win from 11 and replaced sacked boss Paul Heckingbottom with Bradford’s Graham Alexander, the former Deepdale star, during the international break.

Alexander, however, has opened up with three straight defeats.

But Stewart is wary. He said: “It’s the Championship and from what I know every single game any team can win.

“It’s not about one team that will be the favourites. In the Championship you don’t know who is going to win games. We take each team as seriously.

“Momentum and confidence is so important. There’s a good feeling around the club. We want it to continue and hopefully we get it again on Saturday.”

He is certain of one thing - and that is a determination to continue to lead the line. “It’s all friendly competition,” he smiled. “I love them both off the pitch but as a striker you do want that ‘number nine role’.

“We push each other in training, it’s always competitive. You always want to score the most.

“It’s about who’s performing or what’s working best for the team. There will be games where Heggebo or JJ (Morgan) is best suited, games where none of us are best suited. It’s a tough old league and we need all the players.”