The end to pre-season was slightly topsy turvy. The intention was to have two matches in 24 hours presumably with entirely different elevens featuring for match sharpness.
Plans were thrown up in the air when Manchester United confirmed a number of players were self isolating after testing positive for covid. The final match of pre-season was cancelled although there were queries over calling the game off so soon.
Preston did travel to Wigan where a mix of squad players lost 3-2 with former Preston target Darikwa scoring an own goal and youngster Rodwell-Grant netting a consolation late on.
North End then hastily arranged a behind closed doors friendly in place of Manchester United. The club reported that Preston beat an under 23's side 5-0 although the name of the opposition was still unknown.
Preston head into the season after mixed results in pre-season. Expectations are fairly low. Additions were made but new players simply replaced those that left in January and some of the loan players returned for a second or permanent spell.
North End did have a good end to the last season after they changed to a much more solid formation. They lack creativity and fire power so it is likely that the 5-3-2 formation will be employed to grind out results over the season.
It is always a competitive legue but without the quality going forward Preston will do well to challenge the teams in the top six this season. Everyone knows Preston's problems but nobody seems able to solve them and until such a time the manager is somewhat hamstrung in terms of what he can do.