As practice I would try to mount the Pot wiring flush to the board. You can still do that by standing the board and holding it on edge with one hand while simultaneously pushing the wire forward (with the same hand) and heating the backside of the pads with your iron. It should then slip through flush. Obviously take your time. As for solder droplets it is quite common for solder bits to fall off onto a board while working on a project. You wouldn’t hear it happening. One tiny bump and you have to clean it up. It happens to all of us all of the time.