‘Punching above their weight’: Former Burnley man takes subtle Preston North End dig as play-off race intensifies
Preston North End currently sit level on points with sixth-placed Derby County as the race for the play-offs intensifies.
Former Burnley midfielder Jeff Hendrick believes PNE are punching above their weight in the Championship this season.
But the 33-year-old believes the Lilywhites do have a chance of a play-off finish this term due to the impressive work of Paul Heckingbottom.
This has seen PNE close the gap on the top six in recent weeks, with the point moving them level with sixth-placed Derby County, who claimed a 2-0 win over Swansea City over the weekend.
Despite surviving relegation on the final day of last season, Heckingbottom’s men have been one of the surprise packages in the Championship so far, having picked up 48 points from their 32 games so far.
Ex-Burnley man’s verdict over PNE
And although Hendrick, who spent four years with North End’s Lancashire rivals Burnley, believes PNE are punching above their weight in the league this term, the Irishman would welcome a play-off finish for the Lilywhites this season.
Speaking to FruityKing, the 33-year-old, who also played for Newcastle United and Derby County, said: “I think it would be massive. Last year, they didn't do too well, right near the bottom. But now this year, would you say they are punching above their weight? Possibly.
“They have got a good squad there. They've got a manager who, I think, needs a pat on the back, he's really turned things around there. He's got them playing well, and they look like a solid team.
“But I always say there could potentially be eight teams who get into the playoffs, and it's who puts a run of games together and who is hard to beat. So, we never know, Preston could sneak in there.
“There are some really good clubs in there who are playing good football, but they have given themselves a chance. I know people who worked with the manager when he was at Sheffield United, and they talk highly of him, so it hasn't surprised me that he has the club doing really well.
“Going to your point about potentially being a team who will be fighting to get into the Premier League over the next couple of years, it is refreshing seeing clubs who haven't been in the Premier League, or haven't been in it for years. It's nice to see that change.
“So, I think, yeah, give it a go and hopefully they can get a good feel around the club. I think even if you make the playoffs this year, it's not the end of the world if you don't get promoted. It's probably something to build on for next year. You could attract some of the better players in the league as well. So, there are only positives from doing well.”