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Preston North End got off to the worst possible start to the season with a 2-1 loss against local rivals Bolton. Jusef Erabi salvaged a late consolation for the Lilywhites, with Theirry Gale and Sam Dalby’s goals proving decisive for the Wanderers. Dalby capitalised on an error from Daniel Iversen, before Gale curled one into the bottom corner to double the home side’s lead. A poor defensive display from Preston, who never looked once to have the game under control, with the midfield lacking any technical depth and a platform to spring from. Liam Lindsay and Jordan Storey’s centre-back partnership was comical to watch because if you didn’t laugh, you’d cry. Lack of pace, lack of commanding, and a lack of awareness at all times when Bolton came forward. Pol Valentin had his worst day in a Preston shirt, with Gale having a field day against the Spaniard with the right back fighting for his life at times. The Swedish striker has most definitely asked Paul Heckingbottom a serious question over his line-up decisions (or rhetorical), whether he should be the starting striker from Saturday onwards. Strong Gales At Right-Back Pol Valentin’s Preston North End career might as well be over. With the arrival of Harry Clarke and another defender on loan potentially on the cards, the need to continue with the former Sheffield Wednesday man is redundant. His ability to track back at high speed is truly remarkable, but you track back, you need to actually defend. Winning only two out of eight ground duels, zero aerial duels, and was dribbled past twice in 64 minutes. Steven Schumacher’s side smelled blood after the first few minutes and targeted Pol’s side, identifying his weakness in defending one-on-one. Clarke’s arrival last Friday might spell the end of Pol’s first choice days, with many hoping that the former Ipswich man can stay fully fit. Leo Leroy From Now On When the Frenchman signed on last Friday, the excitement levels were through the roof. His European and league-winning experience became so evident when he came on for the last 30 minutes, brining much needed calmness and stability into the midfield. three ground duels won, two successful dribbles, four recoveries, three passes into the final third, he looked a class above Jordan Thompson from the get go. Leroy has to start against Wolves next weekend, his technical qualities and class has already been showcased and needs to be utilised from now on. With another midfielder soon to arrive at Deepdale before the first home match, there is set to be much needed quality in depth in the centre of the pitch. Erabi over Osmajic Jusef Erabi has made it two in two for PNE now, with a fine header late on to give Preston a glimmer of hope. Everything from the movement, the jump, the header just oozed higher levels. It was like watching someone who made to score goals take the chance, which the same can’t be said for Milutin Osmajic, who cost his a golden opportunity to pull themselves back into the tie. After being left one-on-one with Jack Bonham, the fans might as well already started celebrating, it was the Montenegrin’s bread and butter. Expecting the ball to rustle into the back of the net, instead he tried squaring it to Erabi which wasn’t anticipated nor necessary in that moment. The chance really exposed Osmajic’s lack of confidence as the Montenegrin used to relish those types of chances – a sad state of affairs. Granted, we’re still early into the season and there’s 45 league games to go, but we’ve seen more from Erabi in the last two games than we’ve seen of Osmajic in the entire pre-season.