Everything about the game at Norwich just didn't feel right. Preston don't usually play on a Wednesday night and some will cotend after last night's performance that they still don't.
Even before kick off there was a surprise with both Nmecha and Moult named in the line up. Alex Neil the man who brought the 4-2-3-1 formation to Deepdale which has been rigid ever since for some unexplaianble reason changed formation.
Good players can adapt to such changes but Preston have been drilled in their ways under Neil so the change was a total surprise. Perhaps against a top outfit concessions are made towards the way the opposition play but this was an average looking Norwich side.
The game matched the atmosphere - poor, and lifeless - with the first half drifting by without any real attacking threat on either side. Preston will point to a glaring miss by Fisher but he is a right back for a reason.
There was no energy or drive about North End except from Robinson who went ont he odd individual forray. He did hit the bar from a shot outside the area but any goal would have been unjustitifed.
Norwich didn't look like scoring until late on. Preston were sloppy defensively - again like with Stoke it was down the North End defensive right - and Norwich took advantage.
Pikki was allowed room in the box to fire past Rudd who was helpless to stop the ball. The defence was all at sea and moments later Tettey was also allowed room inside the area to fire home.
The game lacked any distinct quality yet Preston managed to concede two late goals to condemn them to their second defeat of the season. They now travel to Derby with the task of turning around a miserable midweek performance.
Now is not the time to panic and it is true that the league table will only start to form after 10 or 15 games but North End do not want to get left behind.
Whilst the strength in depth is there to see in some areas this is not justiifcation for chopping and changing every game. Ben Davies was left out without justification last night along with Harrop.
Nmecha is still young and obviously not having an experienced target man when playing a lone striker is costing Preston which is perhaps the reason why Neil changed formation for the Norwich game.
There is a lot for the manager to consider ahead of this weekend's game as Preston aim to halt their awayday troubles.