Martinez lined up with a very narrow formation that included no wingers what-so-ever. The attacking play mirrored a 4-2-2-2 formation. Di Santo And Boselli were the front two, with Gomez and Watson behind them, and then Thomas and McArthur behind them.
It clearly didn't work. The attacking play was laboured and very narrow. It was screaming out for some wingers.
The first half petered out with little opportunities and the Latics found themselves one goal down at half time.
A routine defensive error as another silly free kick was given away just outside the area. This was then fired underneath the wall and into the goal at the near post.
Second half was slightly different as N'Zgobia added width, however two late goals do not detract from the fact that the attacking play was laboured and the defensive play was complacent and slow.
A number of players showed they hadn't learned from the opening day defeat to Blackpool and Martinez needs to get that out of their game. Before he does that, he needs to ask himself why he thought Gomez and Watson were capable of playing first team football.
The duo were lathargic and were not prepared to put their foot in where it mattered. Gomez grabbed the late goal that brough the Latics into the game, but he had an otherwise poor game.
Figueroa also seems to be a big hazard defensively and he needs to work his reviving the hard work and determination that we are used to seeing from the Honduran.
Martinez has got a lot of work to do, and players such as Figueroa, Watson and Gomez need a proverbial rocket up their backside as they are far too complacent. The question is, is Martinez too nice to string them up?
Here is the reaction of the respective managers.
Roberto Martinez
It is quite clear the talent Charles has got. The way he has acted since the window has closed has been an example for everyone. He has talent and many would pay money to watch him play football.
More importantly he worked for the team extremely hard and, with his build-up towards the game, his day today has been sensational.
I felt we were very lethargic in the first half, Preston were a lot quicker. In the second half I was very proud of a group of players that care about gelling together.
Preston had a couple of counter-attacks but after that it was all good, composed possession.
Darren Ferguson
The second goal was so naive it was incredible. All Danny has got to do is bring the lad down. We can see what is going to go on and as soon as he didn't do that, they were in.
Both goals were stoppable. Individual mistakes cost us the game. I couldn't really see a way of them getting through and they huffed and puffed.
Obviously they had one or two opportunities but they were two awful goals for us to lose. Andy's [goalkeeper Andy Lonergan] been done at the near post and Danny Mayor, he has got to foul the lad, take a booking for the team.
Next game
Next up for the Latics is the difficult trip to Birmingham City this weekend. The game will certainly be an interesting one for Charles N'Zogbia who will have a real point to prove.