The game was always going to be a contrast for both teams to their previous encounters. Preston were never going to be so poor off the mark as they were against Leeds and Wednesday were always going to be on a come down from the result against Newcastle.
Grayson had Gallagher and McGeady available to him for the first time in several weeks which made a massive impact on the way the team plays especially going forward.
Preston were on top throughout the game and the strong travelling contingent were disgruntled at the way Wednesday were playing. North End subdued the visititors but could only find the breakthrough in the second half.
McGeady was impressive down the left. His trickery set up Greg Cunningham to press into the box. He shot across goal and the ball took a defelction past the stranded keeper to give North End the lead.
The Whites lack a Championship level striker who can score 15 goals a season and this showed up against Wednesday. McGeady had a cracking shot which hit the post but it was Jordan Hughill who should have wrapped up the game.
Hughill is much improved this season but he is not a striker who is going to push this side to the upper end of the table. Not for the first time this season he was put through only to miss his opportunity allowing the defender to com back and cover as the striker threw himself to the floor. He shoud have gone through and scored.
Wednesday were let off the hook and with only one goal in it there was always going to be trouble. The visitors didn't threaten all game until injury time when the teams layed ping pong in the Preston box. The ball fellfor Reach who slammed home.
As we enter 2017 the table isan accurate relfection of Preston's season thus far. They have only beaten Huddersfield and Villa out of the top ten and the victory against Villa was pre-Bruce when they were struggling. Most of North End's points have come off the bottom teams.
Peston have improved over the past couple of years but it is clear that a lack of consistency and quality in certain areas are separating the play off chasing clubs from Preston.
Norh End now travel to Burton where they will have a larger squad to choose from due to the new signings now being available. It appears there may well be some more incomings as the transfer window opens.