Preston face an uphill battle if they are to come away with anything at Cardiff. Just like Tuesday at Scunthorpe nobody expected anything from the game but simple errors have to be cut out which have cost the team dear.
Preston's inability to cut out mistakes has led to simple goals for West Brom, Colchester, Coventry and Scunthorpe leaving Preston firmly rooted in the bottom three. Only Sheffield Wednesday on a six game winnless streak - the worst in their 125 year history lie below Preston.
Simpson appears not to want to change his personnel or style of tactics but Saturday might demand that he has to. Lonergan who kept Preston in the last two games will face a fight from Henderson for the number one jersey.
Matty Hill last seasons player of the season has been consistently ignored with Davidson preferred. Billy Jones as the only right back will start with Mawene and Chilvers likely in the centre of defence with St Ledger having to sit out.
Central midfield picks itself as Simpson refuses to acknowledge the existence of Jarrett and Nowland. Danny Pugh was finally dropped at the weekend but only for Paul Gallagher, Preston's best striker to take up a position on the left wing. Sedgewick is likely to get the nod to play on the right for out of form Whaley.
Carroll is suspended due to his lashing out at Scunthorpe. Agyemang who can never perform for more than 30 minutes appears to be Simpson's favourite after starting the last few games. Ormerod may well get his chance in the absence of Carroll with Mellor and Hawley - both Simpson signing likely to be ignored once again.
Most people say that ten games into the season you can generally tell which teams will be challenging and which will be fighting for relegation. This Saturday is game seven and edging ever closer to that mark where Preston may well be looking at a long season ahead.