Hapless Preston Easily Defeated

Last updated : 12 December 2020 By @pnemad

Games come thick and fast this season but Neil stuck with the same starting eleven that defeated Middlesbrough on Wednesday. It was the same players but a completely different performance as Preston were well off the pace.

North End were in the game for the first twenty minutes but from then on they were second best to a Luton side who didn't have to work for any of their three goals.

Barkhuizen had a shot saved on the angle. Stockley messed up a header inside the six yard box when it was easier to score and Browne should have done better when he was free in the box ont he end of the corner.

It's true that if Preston had scored the game might have been different but somehow this is unlikely. After Luton scored the game was effectively over for Preston.

Huntington was caught out of position and was defensively poor as the ball was chipped over his head. Collins controlled well and fired past Rudd to give Luton the lead.

Shortly afterwards Collins notched his second. A cross came in from the right and despite numerous defenders around Collins was free to nod home from a yard or so out.

Neil made subsititutes. In the end he used all five but you couldn't tell as none of them made any impact. Storey was on for the poor Huntington. He was equally as bad as Collins was allowed space to turn and fire home for his hat-trick in the second half.

The scoreline could have been more. Davies gifted the ball to Mpanzu who fired over and a far post header late on when wide when it seemed easier to score.

Preston are often inconsistent under Neil. Typically they go on an unbeaten run then struggle for a number of games before finding form. This season they have taken this to a whole new level going from one game tot he next with vastly differing performances.

I am unsure what the answer is but Preston must hope that they find some consistency that will see them stay away from the bottom places in the division.