Preston North End have already endured a strange start to their season, but Paul Heckingbottom is looking to stabilize and add more quality to the Lancashire side.
Having parted ways with former Plymouth Argyle manager, Ryan Lowe, after a 2-0 loss to Sheffield United in their season opener, Preston were subjected to a 3-0 thumping at the hands of Swansea City – with Mike Marsh taking charge that day on an interim basis. After a strange sequence of events, Heckingbottom eventually became Lowe’s permanent successor and won his inaugural game, against Luton Town, 1-0.
North End finished their previous campaign terribly, with zero goals scored, and 11 conceded in the final five fixtures. However, after achieving their first league goal on Saturday afternoon, since before that barren spell, the ex-Sheffield United boss is hoping to continue this momentum and is very open to key business before the culmination of the summer window.
Following a 2-0 victory over Sunderland in the EFL Cup first round, Preston were drawn against League Two outfit, Harrogate Town in the second stage. This trip to The Exercise Stadium will be another chance for Heckingbottom to test more members of his new squad, and give a relatively less-pressured platform to those who want to impress their recently-appointed boss.
Harrogate currently sit 13th in the fourth-tier, having won, drawn and lost once so far. The Lilywhites are also lower than they would’ve liked, placing 18th currently in the Championship, following their first win of the season.
However, glaring gaps in depth and quality could also been highlighted tomorrow night, with the European transfer window shutting on Friday. Heckingbottom will undoubtedly be delving into the market for players that suit his own mould.
In an interview with the Lancashire Post, the 47-year-old gave his thoughts on potential incomings and the ‘state of play’ regarding the current Preston squad.
“I want to, simply because there are one or two – which is nice – where I want decisions whether to start them or not. It’s good. I’ve thought: ‘You know what? I’d love to have this lad in the team.’ And I would love to have that with 18,19, or 20 players.
“There are some I am looking forward to using. Who knows? As pleased as I was (with the win over Luton Town), there are opportunities again for those boys to be in the team against Oxford. There is that, for a start. I want to look at all the players as well – 100%.
“We want to coach the players. Because if we do progress in cups, we are going to need all of the players. We’ve got 46 league games, so it’s really important we develop that group, where it is 20-odd of us who win together.
“We saw how important the subs were. It will never just be the 11. When you’re fresh in the door, my thought process about this game is totally different. It is an opportunity to see players and work on things.
“Can we pull a big team in the next round if we get through? Then we’ll have a bit more to spend before the window closes! I think it helps. A couple of clubs I’ve been at, when we’ve had successful campaigns, it’s been promotion alongside good cup runs.
“I put a big value on it. There are different priorities you do focus on, without a doubt. But there is no reason why you can’t progress and still be successful in the league.”
Having played for Harrogate previously, the Lancashire side’s new boss will have fond memories of the North Yorkshire club; Heckingbottom offered some team news ahead of the reminiscent clash:
“(Milutin Osmajic) He’s been ill with tonsillitis. He missed Thursday and Friday, so hopefully – with antibiotics – it will be a good opportunity to get him involved. He would’ve been involved (against Luton).”
Writer’s View
This interview felt very transparent and refreshing – something some Preston fans have felt had been lacking before this appointment. It will be an intriguing clash between the two sides, with Preston looking very likely to be the favourites.
Despite not having ‘the magic of the cup’ stamped all over it, the EFL Cup does throw up a fair few surprises in the early rounds. But this will likely be a chance for North End to continue their impressive recovery.
Heckingbottom has spoken highly of his new crop of players and will hope that some individuals from the fringe group can give the 47-year-old a selection headache, with decisions also imminent ahead of next weekend’s trip to Oxford United.
Be the first to comment