PNE boss talked a full array of things before of Wednesday night’s match against Watford.

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom is unconcerned by his team’s dismal place at this point in the season, but has made it clear that he wants to climb the Championship as fast as possible.

The PNE boss talked to the media before of Wednesday night’s game against Watford, as North End return to Deepdale after a difficult day at The Den. Heckingbottom’s side has one victory, two draws, and two defeats thus far, and they have a critical 90 minutes ahead of them at home.

In his pre-match news conference on Monday morning, Preston manager Tom Cleverley was questioned about a number of topics…

“If it was that easy, we’d have him doing it, wouldn’t we?” Heckingbottom said. “Emil has a history of getting things in gluts, if you will. After the Oxford game, we hoped that would happen. We’re not just putting it on Emil. We have another ten players on the pitch. However, Emil is a player who appreciates the importance of goals. His ambitions have tended to be pretty similar in terms of where the opportunities have come from. It is ensuring that he knows this and placing him in those circumstances. So sure, work in progress, and he understands that.”
Concerns about the lack of speed in the PNE’s defense

“Yeah, listen, I have had that thrown at me all the time,” Heckingbottom admitted. “It’s not a matter of pace at the back. When you concede goals, you always feel as if you lack pace. Scoring goals and maintaining clean sheets are unquestionably how you win or lose games. Of course, you want superior players at every position. That’s all there is to it; acquiring them is another matter entirely. You are constantly seeking to enhance the squad. “The next one will be no different.”

Is the league position a concern?

“No, not for me right now,” Heckingbottom responded. But we don’t want to be down there. So, the sooner you achieve success and begin looking up rather than down, the better. At the moment, I believe it is more important for us to focus on what we want to achieve, which is to be a more competitive squad that scores more points than we have previously. We’ve showed plenty of symptoms of doing so across the pitch. But Saturday was a stark warning of what will happen if you don’t deliver such performances in this league, particularly away from home.”

About Tom Cleverley and Watford

“I don’t think, with the calibre of players they’ve got, they were ever going to struggle,” Heckingbottom told reporters. “I believe expectations have evolved a little. They may have been expecting to be in the top six for the past two years. I haven’t heard many people mention them this season, perhaps until now. They had a good start, a couple of questionable results, and then won again.

“They clearly have the potential to compete. I wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up in the top six. But they’re coming to Deepdale, and as I always say, I’m not worried about who’s in front of us. That is no insult to Watford; we have demonstrated it to everyone we’ve played. We should be more concerned about delivering our finest performance; we know we can match anyone.”

On debriefing Millwall, whether there was anything new learning and fitness demands

“We have been (asking them to go to new levels),” Heckingbottom added. “In the first few games, we probably put up the highest figures they’ve had in a long time. Again, it serves as a reminder that dropping off is not required in all games. So, for example, against Fulham, our high-speed running and sprint distance were not as great as in previous games.

“Because we had to be compact, and the game was much different. So they’re all separate games, and depending on the tactical issues given, the results change. But, without a doubt, the players saw and understood what I was saying – that we needed to bring our energy to make an influence on the game, which we did not do (against Millwall).

On needing to combine learning about the group and getting results immediately

“Yeah, I think long-term you want to try and create an identity and change performances, because that is ultimately what’s going to help you outcompete teams, maybe with more resources,” according to Heckingbottom. “We understand that, but the short term is always about the next game and scoring three points. We’ve put on some really impressive performances and had some victories, certainly more draws than I’d like, and a few of defeats, which I’m not happy with. So, yes, we want the three points, and the goal has to be to translate performances into outcomes.”

On developing the squad and wanting it to represent him over time.

“Yeah, so for example if you look at Saturday, we dominated the ball, but if you look how many real big moments and chances came from us almost walking the ball into the net – it is very difficult to do that,” commented Heckingbottom. “You must dominate the ball in order to control a game and get it to the top of the pitch. Then, risk losing possession, but be proactive in regaining it. Then you’re more likely to generate an opportunity. So, yes, that portion of the game was distinct from what we’ve been making.”

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