Preston North End's 'bar' is back on the floor after Graham Alexander formation change backfires against Stoke

Andrew Hughes and Andrija Vukcevic both said Preston North End had 'set the bar' in their draw against West Brom.

They didn't get close to touching it at Stoke City.

It had been a galvanising week. The well-earned point against a promotion-chasing side had shown exactly what Graham Alexander's side could do.

Technical quality may be in low supply, but with hard work and aggressive pressing, chances can still be created by winning the ball high up the pitch.

But what if the opposition doesn't allow that to happen?

Stoke were more than happy to sit off Preston and allow them to have the ball in a drab first-half in which Ben Wilmot's opening header was the only moment of real note.

North End had a high of 42 per cent possession but were lacking any creativity to do anything with it.

Alexander changed his formation in a surprising move, lining the side up in a 4-2-3-1 rather than the 3-4-1-2.

Preston may have been unable to do much regardless of the shape given Stoke's deep block, but having the industrious Brad Potts in the attacking midfield position rather than Alfie Devine or Andy Moran didn't help.

In fact, the whole attacking end of the pitch looked out of joint.

Delano Burgzorg enjoyed his brightest performance in a central position against West Brom, with his boundless energy leading the ferocious press and his pace helping to stretch the back-line.

In Stoke, he was positioned on the left flank and was a periphery figure, unable to close down centre-backs or get on the ball.

Callum Lang endeavoured on the right and had nice touches, but a lack of pace made him easy to deal with as a wide threat, while Johnny Kenny cut an isolated figure.

The Irishman managed to force Viktor Johansson into a palmed clearance with a driven ball into the box after a rare turnover, but otherwise was left feeding off scraps instead of sweets this Halloween.

The change of shape wasn’t the only factor in the defeat, but it didn’t work.

Alexander removed Potts at the break and moved Burgzorg centrally, but Stoke came out aggressively and doubled their lead before the changes could take any effect.

Leo Leroy, who had been composed on the ball and the only player seeming capable of some inventive spark in possession, was caught with one sloppy touch and a quick move later Jack McGlynn had swept passed Daniel Iversen.

In a cruel twist, the exact way Alexander wants his side to attack was done to them with lethal effect.

West Brom had felt like a turning point but now, after five games under Alexander, it appears more like an outlier.

Preston managed to keep the score down after hammerings at Birmingham and Wrexham, but only because Iversen was on hand to make more fantastic stops after defensive errors.

There was little heart on sleeve, body on the line defending, no imposing on the opposition as they began to cut through at will and not even a shot on target. In the first three defeats, there had at least been one.

The draw at Deepdale had felt emotional, with the roaring Deepdale faithful seemingly offering extra fuel reserves. But playing on such emotions means you can be easily deflated.

For the first time, Alexander may come under question.

Preston were outplayed by a better team and that happens. They're 24th for a reason, but is a third formation in five games conductive to solid foundations?

Alexander admits he's still learning about his squad and managers don't have to be married to one system, but was it wise to change the shape after things finally looked to have clicked? Especially given none of the attacking three looked suited to the roles they were asked to play.

If his team can't build on their one positive performance, which didn’t even result in a win, then is he going to be able to turn things around?

There is still time. Of course there is. But 'the bar' is now back on the floor.