It should be no surprise to anyone that Preston are fairly slow starters when the new season arrived. Since returning to the Championship Preston have never really picked up form until the beginning of October save for Neil's first season in charge.
This term Preston had a fairly modest looking start with respect to the fixture list and so it was hoped they may have some points on the board before the trickier tests arrive.
North End were average against a Millwall side which is one of the few teams to have a smaller budget than Preston. The home side scored in the first half when Wallace converted a cross. Rudd could only palm the ball into the net.
The same questions were raised of Preston again. The issue over whether Rudd should have saved the goal will rumble on. Opinions still vary over the keeper and Alex Neil has had several attempts with numerous keepers with no long term success.
North End had plenty of the ball with Browne coming the closest to scoring but as usual there was plenty of crossfield passing but no killer istinct. This is what happens in a formation with one frontman who is the smallest attacking player on the pitch.
It has been a theme over Neil's reign that Preston look good until the final third and then there is a lack of any idea or composure as to what to do.
Hopefully Green will add some directness and the return of Bodin front he bench was a positive sign. Harrop may find his chance this season to unlock defences but this was a distictly average start to the season against a team who are not likely to be chasing the top spots.
Preston must improve for their first home game next Saturday and there are long standing questions still to be answered.