Preston fans are already annoyed enough about youth development, but the issue may have been exacerbated this weekend.
The big bone of contention is that there isn’t a pathway for Preston youngsters to end up in the first team, because there is no Under-23 or developmental squad between the youth and first team.
That ultimately saw Tyrhys Dolan leave the club for Blackburn Rovers this summer, in a move which was widely criticised even at the time.
It now looks even worse, as Dolan is already starting for Rovers, and has scored twice in two Championship starts.
Dolan has immediately shown he is capable of being a threat in the Championship, and another ex-Preston talent has now earned a deal with a Championship rival.
Middlesbrough have confirmed the signing of Tyler Williams, who – much like Dolan – was released by Preston at the end of last season.
Williams initially joined Stalybridge Celtic, but has already done enough on trial to earn a professional contract with Boro, heading into their Under-23 team.
That’s what Dolan did at Rovers, and he is already in their first team. If 19-year-old centre back Williams does the same with Boro, Preston fans will be even more irate than they already are after Dolan’s success.