Paul Heckingbottom has addressed mounting speculation over his future as Preston North End manager ahead of a key Deepdale clash with Lincoln City. The boss insists he is not concerned by external noise and believes his side's performances deserve more points than their league position shows.
Preston sit 24th in the Championship with just three points from six games, their only win coming against local rivals Blackburn Rovers. A 2-1 defeat at Watford on Tuesday, where they led until the final stages, extended a run of five defeats in six league matches this season.
Manager under pressure
Heckingbottom's record stands at five wins in 25 matches since taking charge, with the team failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those games. Some supporters view Saturday's fixture as a must-win, questioning whether any other club would retain a manager after such a poor run. The manager, however, remains steadfast.
"I’m seeing the improvements are there, I can see that, and that’s why it hurts when you come off and you’ve not won the game," Heckingbottom told reporters. He acknowledged the reality of his profession, adding, "That’s only natural because ultimately it’s a results business."
He dismissed any notion of fear regarding his position. "If you’re scared of that, why would you come into it?" he said. "You’ve got to think differently to everyone else."
Statistical disconnect
Analytical data suggests Preston's results may not fully reflect their performances. The team ranks ninth in the Championship for expected goals created and 11th for expected goals conceded, but eighth for big chances missed. This indicates a recurring issue in converting opportunities, a problem highlighted in the late collapse at Watford where goals from Edo Kayembe and Moussa Doumbia overturned Cauley Lang's early opener.
Their solitary victory this season was a 2-1 win over Blackburn, with Lang scoring twice. You can review the full list of recent results and upcoming challenges on our fixtures page.
Lincoln's threat
Saturday's visitors, Lincoln City, present a significant challenge. Coached by Chris Cohen, they arrive off a 1-0 win at Bolton Wanderers, demonstrating the kind of game management Preston have lacked. Cohen himself noted similarities between the sides, believing Preston are in a false league position based on their displays.
The match offers Lincoln a chance to deepen Preston's troubles while providing Heckingbottom's men an opportunity to ease the growing pressure. A positive result is vital before a tough trip to face fourth-placed Queens Park Rangers next weekend. The senior squad details and player statistics are available on our squad and stats pages.
Preston North End's next fixture is away to QPR on Saturday, 19 September.
