The matches keep coming, and they don’t get any easier for Preston North End, with seventh-placed Southampton the next to visit Deepdale on Saturday in a game Graham Alexander could ring the changes for.
Preston suffered yet another defeat on Tuesday, losing 3-2 to Sheffield United despite a bright start, which means they have now registered the worst set of results in the first 14 games of a Championship season ever, on goal difference.
It's difficult to see where a first victory under Alexander is going to come from, but he will be doing everything he can to ensure it's on Saturday, against a Saints side undefeated in their last six.
The manager will be forced into at least two changes, as Johnny Kenny is out with a hamstring injury and Leo Leroy is unavailable through suspension, but there could be many more alterations to his side.
Alexander said 'there has to be consequences for performances' when explaining his half-time substitutions on Tuesday night, and the same could well apply to his starting XI, especially as all the players that came on played well and ensured Preston won the second-half.
Harry Clarke, Ali McCann, Liam Gibbs and Lewis Gibson all remain unavailable, but Greg Docherty is eligible to play after being signed in time as a free agent.
Whatever changes are made, the formation seems certain to be a back-three after Alexander admitted he 'made a mistake' by changing his team's shape for the trip to Stoke City.
With that in mind, here's how the team could look...
9. CAM - Andy Moran
Moran finally got his first league start of the season and took it with both hands, being the only real bright spark to start the game. He was energetic, positive and tenacious. Working hard until the end, it was his brilliant header that led to the third goal. Should keep his place without doubt. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
10. CAM - Alfie Devine
It's been a tough season so far for Devine and Alexander has had 'honest' conversations with him about how to channel his talent. His response to not starting the last two games was really pleasing as he came off the bench on Tuesday and looked sharp and committed. His composed pass for the goal shows the quality he brings and it's needed from the off. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
11. ST - Callum Lang
Lang showed the clinical finishing Delano Burgzorg and Jusef Erabi haven't with his well-taken goal and, with Johnny Kenny out, he has to start in the middle. The No.10 looks much better suited to a central role rather than the wing, where a lack of searing pace sees him often caught. After moving centrally on Tuesday, he improved drastically and linked well with Moran and Devine. That trio was the glimmer of hope from the game that might just be Preston's way out of the mess. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (