We need to break the spell cast over Deepdale, says PNE Fans’ Panel member Tim Mercer

Yet again it followed another away win against a top side in the division, and so a win at Deepdale was expected and badly needed here against arguably the weakest squad in the division.

Instead it was the visitors who should really have been the seventh team out of eight to walk away with the spoils.

One win, one draw and six defeats is bottom-of-the-table form and more worryingly so is the manner of our play here in stark contrast to that away from home. On the road, the Lilywhites are sharp on the counter-attack and unsettle their hosts with an aggressive high press and distinct patterns of play.

Why oh why they are such a damp squib at home is the most puzzling for this fan and all others watching on yet more painful iFollow coverage.

Thinking of what the reaction would be in normal times I do not think the team would ‘get away with it’ – being forced to break the stale pattern and try ‘something else’ to quell the inevitable loud and vocal unrest that would follow from the stands.

Whatever it is, Alex Neil needs to find a solution fast and put a stop to an undercurrent of negativity that can be felt all round the club at the moment.

Having taken the lead via an in-form Tom Barkhuizen header quite early in the first half.After Wycombe scored the equaliser early in the second half it was no real surprise when they took the lead.

Perhaps Scott Sinclair was guilty of not tracking his man for the second Wycombe goal, but it was his run and cross that forced the error for the own goal.

Even then Emil Riis had an even later chance to win it for North End, but fluffed his shot when through on goal.

This fan would have taken that, no matter how unfair, in a bid to break the spell seemingly cast over this famous old ground.