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Preston North End couldn’t build on their solitary win of the season as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Watford on Tuesday night. Despite an opener from Callum Lang in the first half, the Lilywhites couldn’t capitalise on their momentum following the goal, missing some golden chances including one from their goalscorer himself. This now makes it five defeats in their last six games with Preston seemingly reaffirming themselves as a relegation candidate for the season ahead. Watford achieved their first win since the opening day, goals from Ayo Kayembe and Mamadou Doumbia helping the Hornets win in front of their own fans. This defeat can only be described as a calamitous collapse from the away side, as Heckingbottom’s tactical substitutions destroyed any hope of a win for Lancashire club. Ode Offiah being implemented onto the left, Stanley Mills at wing-back, and taking off Leo Leroy when he was dictating the game really well – these caused an outrage over on social media and even in the stands. So much so, Heckingbottom couldn’t face the music after the fiunal whistle, darting down the tunnel after the game which wasn’t well received by the travelling fans who spent their hard-earned money to show their support, all the way down south on a Tuesday night. The music seems to be getting louder for Heckingbottom. With every defeat, the confidence in his managerial capabilities seems to hit a new low to the point that you’re wondering if he’s about to manage his last game. Key Moments Rocco Vata nearly got Alessio Dins’s men flying from the get go, with a well-worked effort saw him overthink it at the critical stages leading to a dud effort at Daniel Iversen. Callum Lang got Preston off to the perfect start, as the former Pompey man capitalised on Jordan Thompson’s first time effort crashing off the post, allowing him to put it into an empty net. His third in two games, the 27-year old solidifies himself as North End’s top scorer this season and boosting his confidence further. However, Lang would also squander an opportunity to double the lead in the first half after new boy Johnny Kenny used his pace down the wing on the counter-attack, before playing a perfect ball towards the back post for the goalscorer, only for him to shoot straight at the Federico Ravaglia. Kenny could’ve had a goal on his first start, if he only applied a little more curve to it – after finding himself free on the edge of thee box, Alfie Devine found the Iriush forward who used his feet brilliantly to carve open a chance for himself before firing slightly wide of the right post. North End nearly got a second in the second half through Harry Clarke, after the right-back found himself in the Watford box and shuffling himself into a position to shoot – his shoot would deflect off a Watford defender and beating Ravaglia, but the post was there to save the Italian shot stopper. After the changes were made from Heckingbottom, North End lost all attacking threat and ability to create through the midfield, resulting in Watford taking control of the game. Othmane Maamma would dance through the Preston defence and getting to the touchline, flicking the ball back across to the centre of the box for Kayemebe to become a rocketman to fire home past Iversen. This momentum carried on, the Hornets were alive and suddenly Tuesdays alright for fighting – sorry, Elton. Seven minutes later, Iker Bravo would receive the ball on the right wing with minimal options other than a charging Doumbia who ran into the box like he envisioned what was about to happen. Bravo would loop a cross, high into the air for the oncoming striker, who leaped high above Clarke and Jordan Storey to nod home for all three points. Player Ratings Daniel Iversen – 4 Harry Clarke – 5 Odeluga Offiah – 6 Jordan Storey – 4 Lewis Gibson – 5 Andrija Vukcevic – 5 Leo Leroy – 7 Jordan Thompson – 6 Alfie Devine – 5 Callum Lang – 6 Johnny Kenny – 6 Substituions: Delano Burgzorg – 3, Jusef Erabi – 3, Stanley Mills – 4, Liam Gibbs – 4, Thierry Small – N/A Conclusion There are positives to take from the game for sure, North End looked to establish themselves and continue their momentum from the Blackburn victory, however, the manager’s ineptitude when it comes to adapting a game is staggering. Paul Heckingbottom’s second half substations, particularly the Leo Leroy around 75 minutes in, ruined any chance of three points for Preston. PNE lost control, got overran, and players in positions so widely unfamiliar to them meant that the players just couldn’t find the answers. With Lincoln on Saturday, Paul Heckingbottom will need a win at the minimum to take the heat from him for the time being, although it seems like something is looming for him on the horizon.