Preston fell to defeat on Saturday afternoon, losing 4-0 to Cardiff City in a frankly horrific performance.
North End conceded a penalty inside the first couple of minutes, handed Cardiff a goal straight after half time and then gifted them two more.
Add in that Preston managed to miss not one but two penalties in the second half, and it was just a completely miserable day for all connected with North End.
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Alex Neil finds himself under huge pressure after this defeat, and one of his long-term targets at Deepdale ended up playing a role in Saturday’s thrashing.
It’s hardly a secret that Preston have long fancied Kieffer Moore. The giant striker was a top target in 2018 as North End looked to sign him from Barnsley following their relegation, but no deal was done.
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When Preston faced Wigan at the DW Stadium last year, Neil admitted he was delighted when the Latics substituted Moore as he was their biggest threat.
Last summer, Preston were linked with Moore again, and Neil didn’t really play down the rumours before then admitting his admiration for Moore to Lancs Live in October.
Cardiff ultimately won the race for Moore last summer, and he got the ball rolling for the Bluebirds on Saturday, firing home a superb penalty to put the home side 1-0 up.
Moore was a threat throughout the game, winning seven aerial duels – more than any other player on the pitch – as well as contributing three shots and two shots on target.
WhoScored rated Moore as the third-best player on the pitch on Saturday, behind only Marlon Pack and goalkeeper Dillon Phillips, and as the heat is turned up on Neil, the Scot may have wished Moore was playing for Preston instead.