Whatever positive spins Harry puts on things, football is all about confidence and we desperately need a win against Preston to kickstart the season. Yet, to make matters worse, it now looks as if we will have two of our most influential players out – Jota, allegedly our most expensive signing ever, and Che Adams. Both are apparently hamstrung and depending on whether they are tweaks or tears will have a massive bearing on the time of their return. Almost as concerning is the continued absence of Vassell and the suggestion that he ‘might’ make Saturday’s bench, doesn’t give much confidence in his full fitness.

Of course, it wasn’t all completely bad news because there were some outstanding performances with Boga apparently almost unplayable in leading the opposition defenders the proverbial merry dance. Nsu came out of the Harry’s last chance saloon guns blazing, to show he can cut the footballing mustard and let’s hope some of the other players from the days of Zola and Rowett can perform similarly given the chance.

I’d certainly like to see Davies and Gardner together in midfield as both would bleed blue blood for the cause. Bringing Maghoma back into the fold on the wing and switching Boga into a central position just behind Gallagher might be a solution until Vassell can be risked confidently.