I’m not going to get all “I told you so” in your face since it was hardly Chinese algebra to work out that Rotherham were going to defend fiercely and await a chance, writes Simon Smith.

What I didn’t factor into the equation was that Rovers were going to play so well and still be looking down the barrel of a 0-1 defeat after 80 minutes. 

The fear I felt at 2:30 as I asked Roy Keane for a photo with my son, and got the piercing stare - albeit along with an agreement to do so - was nowt compared to the fear in Zak Vyner’s when Adam Armstrong had the ball. 

It was endlessly frustrating but watching Rovers have two-thirds of the possession and nine shots on target (and a 10th from Armstrong clunking the bar) was once more entertaining and at times thrilling.

The return of Ryan Nyambe to his rampaging best was also good for morale.

At full strength the starting XI would have no room for the excellent Joe Rothwell, Jack Rodwell, Amari’i Bell, Richie Smallwood, Kasey Palmer and Ben Brereton, to name just a few. 

Yet this is the question. Should Danny Graham start at Preston?

In the last two home games he has hardly had a touch and, when he has, goals should have ensued on at least two of the five occasions he has been played behind the defence.

Nobody doubts his experience, but he looks shot at and needs to rest.

In an ideal world a front three of Armstrong, Bradley Dack and Brereton would operate leaving the midfield three to dominate their zone, but it isn’t ideal and my whimsical notion of Holland 1974-esque Total Football may not translate the same to the players’ reality. 

This is why we trust in the manager.

Only he knows what can work with this set of players.

Even then he isn’t inside the players heads.

They are complicated lads, footballers, but those who berate some of the current squad: have a think about some of the players we indulged in the 2011-2016 period.

Every man-jack of this squad at least gives 100 per cent.