Preston North End's dilemma as their biggest strength could be their biggest problem

North End’s three goals scored are the fewest in the division, likewise their four conceded.

But of late, the biggest talking point has not been the obvious, as that issue is quite black and white.

Instead, questions have been asked around team selections and as much as anywhere else, the middle of midfield.

Seen as the strongest and most competitive area of the pitch, it has often been peppered with internationals or very good players at this level.

But this season it is not proving to be the source of consistent performances that we have been used to when watching North End, and that in itself could be providing a disruption to Ryan Lowe’s side.

He may not currently know what his best midfield is, given the form of Daniel Johnson and Alan Browne, and that is new to PNE under his stewardship.

Last season, following his appointment, Browne, Johnson and Ben Whiteman all started 20 of the following 25 league games.

Not all of those games were as a midfield trio – with Johnson starting the penultimate game of the season at wing-back, scoring twice at Barnsley – but the vast majority saw them central.

They worked up a good partnership as PNE picked up from their poor start to the campaign and even flirted with the idea of the play-offs at one point.

Now, however, there are more options and the previously reliable candidates seem less so.

Ali McCann has done well and has been patient, while Ben Woodburn has looked very bright in his brief stints so far prior to an ankle injury.

Chances are being created for the strikers to put away but they are getting less and less as the weeks go on, with the service going downhill.

Lowe, you would suggest on previous selections, has his favoured trio, but he has veered away from it, trying to find the right formula that helps bring the goals.

Consistency is key in football and right now Lowe does not have it in the heart of his side.