'You can see' - Preston North End star pinpoints why he should thrive under Paul Heckingbottom
PNE midfielder was Man of the Match against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday
Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann is confident he can show his best self under manager Paul Heckingbottom.
That talk was certainly backed up last Sunday, as the number eight put in a typically all-action display against Blackburn Rovers - which saw him awarded the Man of the Match award at Deepdale. McCann has started the last couple of Championship games and came in for praise from both the boss and captain, last time out. It’s his fourth season as a North End player and the Northern Ireland international feels in a good place at the moment, playing in a way which he believes suits him down to the ground.
"I think it does, yeah," McCann told the Lancashire Post. "He's really big on being aggressive out of possession, in a structured press and all that sort of thing. To me, that is ideal - being aggressive off the ball and jumping all over teams. It's been really good so far. I have only had a couple of games to taste it, but I'm really enjoying it - just a lot of clarity, with the position you're in.
“You know exactly what he wants from you. When everyone is doing the job he asks, you can see that we look like a really good, front footed, aggressive team. So, if you can pair that with good moments on the ball, it's only going to be good going forward. I think it suits us all, because we've got a strong, physically good team and a lot of good technicians as well, if we use it right.”
And, as far as competition for places goes, it’s fierce in the Preston midfield. McCann has partnered the skipper, Ben Whiteman, in the previous two fixtures. Last week’s cup hero, Ryan Ledson, and Iceland international, Stefan Thordarson, are pushing to get in though. In the more advanced roles, experienced campaigner Duane Holmes is fighting for a place with Mads Frokjaer or Sam Greenwood. Preston’s number eight thinks all of that can only be good for the squad.
"It's right up there," said McCann, of the competition. "The lads have played really well. Whitey, we know how good he is. Ledo came back in pre-season and he's been brilliant so far - he obviously scored the other day. Stefan has come in and been really good, so it's healthy competition.
“Not speaking for the others but for me, personally, it just makes you more at it during the week - to then hopefully go and take your chance at the weekend if you do get it. You know there's more than capable players to take your place if you don't.
“When you look at the squad we have got, there is a lot of quality there. There is real potential for us to do something in this league, so it's just using it, getting that consistency and then building on positive performances. I am sure we can do something exciting."