Preston: Heckingbottom happy with side’s new ‘identity’

This season, Preston’s average possession per match has gone up from 44.6% to 47.6% and their number of shots per game has risen from 9.26 to 10.64 – that is with only a third of the season played.

Last season, only bottom side Rotherham United had fewer shots at goal than Preston did in the whole of the campaign.

But the challenge for Heckingbottom is to turn improved statistics into the most important thing of all – improved results.

Their recent run of seven games may include only one defeat, but there have only been two wins as well.

“The bits that are really pleasing me is how we’re outperforming teams in terms of xG as I know that was a big issue for the group,” he said.

“But the result will always be determined by what happens in both boxes.

“Overall the level of performance has been that good. I know this league inside out and there’s no reason why we can’t be competitive with sides like Sunderland.”