David Wagner's decision to pick Tim Krul ahead of Angus Gunn created the most debate among supporters upon the announcement of the team news pre-match. 

If Norwich City fans were polled and asked to pick a player of the season based on what has been seen up to now, Gunn's name would undoubtedly be included in the top three, such has been the level of his performances. 

In that sense, the decision to drop him from the starting XI felt harsh given his body of work - despite Norwich's underperformance, he has been one who has offered positivity and consistency. 

Wagner promised everyone a clean slate upon his arrival. He has bounced into Colney with no preconceptions and having worked with precisely zero of these players before. 

After the game, he spoke about the decision being based on a feeling. Sometimes those inklings are better trusted than statistics or previous performances. 

The perplexed response to Gunn's omission was not a slight on or criticism of Krul - a goalkeeper who has served Norwich so dutifully since he arrived in the summer of 2018, but more an admission of the progress the 26-year-old has made since the summer. 

Gunn has, in most departments, been the better of City's two shot-stoppers so far this season. Even Krul would concede that his competitors' performances have made it difficult for him to get a look in. 

The Dutch international has had a watching brief since the reverse of this fixture when Preston beat Norwich 3-2 at Carrow Road. At the time, that decision to drop him was viewed as being very harsh in some quarters. 

But when the opportunity did present itself - Krul would have to grasp it. Whilst not a perfect performance, he did enough to retain the shirt for next week's trip to Coventry.

Wagner's decision, perhaps somewhat unfairly, did place extra scrutiny and pressure on Krul's display. Those left confused by the decision to drop Gunn would be monitoring his performance closely. 

There were some wobbles with distribution, exemplified by his poor pass designed for Max Aarons which ended up being intercepted by Tom Cannon in a dangerous position, only for Norwich to recover the situation. 

Some longer passes ended up into touch, but Krul did display some good moments with the ball that aided Norwich's build-up play from the defensive third, most notably picking up Dimi Giannoulis to begin the move for Kieran Dowell's second goal. 

The highlight of his display was undeniably two big stops just after the interval that prevented the pendulum from swinging in Preston's direction and preserving Norwich's three-nil advantage. 

Instantly from the restart, a flicked pass from Cannon sent Liam Delap racing in behind City's backline. Krul was off his line quickly to narrow the angle before making himself big to block the Manchester City loanee's strike. 

Just minutes later, Delap turned provider to send Cannon through after a quick breakaway from a Norwich corner. 

The Everton striker connected well to lift his shot towards the top corner, only for Krul to palm it onto the crossbar and deny Preston a goal at a critical moment. The celebrations that followed, namely City's keeper embracing Giannoulis, displayed how important a stop it was at that moment in the game. 

Later on, there was a crucial punch to clear a dangerous corner from Ryan Ledson that helped relieve the pressure that was beginning to mount. 

Krul's intangible qualities in terms of leadership and experience are an important quality to a Norwich backline that has been leaky of late, especially through individual mistakes. 

He contributed to a defence that only conceded two shots on target, the least in any game for 11 matches. When he was called upon, Krul stepped up to help his team - something he has sought to do throughout his time in Norfolk. 

Gunn is the future for Norwich and his performances this season have shown what an asset he is to their project moving forwards. There will be understandably be disappointment and frustration from his perspective, but his time will come again sooner rather than later. 

Eastern Daily Press: Tim Krul celebrates making a big save in the second half. Tim Krul celebrates making a big save in the second half. (Image: Focus Images Limited)

For Wagner, that selection headache will be welcome and ensure that the competition among the squad remains high. Krul will be under pressure to perform knowing that Gunn will be on his heels. 

Whether that battle is sustainable in the long-term remains to be seen - Norwich effectively have two number ones on their books. That situation will be fascinating to watch develop in the weeks ahead. 

City's head coach will have to manage that situation given Gunn's level of performance so far this campaign - but Krul can only take the chance that has been afforded to him. 

If he can return to his top-level of form, then Norwich have a shot-stopper among the very best in the division.  

Given the clean sheet, fine saves and lack of errors, the moment feels like it belongs to Krul but that feels far from the end of a discussion that has rumbled on all season.