The PNE boss answered plenty of transfer questions after defeat to Hull City

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom discussed transfers, and the possibility of Harrison Armstrong returning on loan from Everton, after Tuesday night’s 0-3 defeat to Hull City.

You mentioned teams coming here and the way they're approaching it. Is that another reason why you want a little bit more at the top end of the pitch?

“Yeah, 100 per cent,” said Heckingbottom. “I've been saying it for a long time, you know what's going to happen. I know how we were last year. I know what happens when you get yourself in good positions. I know what other clubs, coaches, managers would consider about us. Do you know what I mean? The better you do, the more respect you earn. Teams pay you more respect, prepare better, set up in a different way and then it's up to you to come up with solutions.”

I know you've said money's never an excuse here, forget about it, but is that the big thing at the minute - you've just not got enough to work with? Is that the problem?

“No, it's not suddenly become a problem, no,” said Heckingbottom. “We know what we are, we know what we do - we've got to work our socks off to do it. Listen, you talk about it now because we've lost. You're not talking about it when we win. We've still got the same amount of money, whether we win or lose. Does that make sense?”

Yeah, but you want the squad to be bolstered?

“Yeah, of course I do,” said Heckingbottom. “You can’t... I sit here and moan about it, it's not going to change it. I know what we have to work with and we've got to work hard to get better. I know over time we can build. If we buy our own players, if we create our own squad, then it's up to me or the club to create and generate our own money, then we'll do it. We can't do that the way, I felt, the club was in terms of how many assets were in and amongst the squad. Forever relying on loan players, we wouldn't have been able to turn it around. We made a big effort this summer to do it and we'll continue to do that.”

Do you think there will be something done? Is it unfathomable to think you've finished the window, we've not brought anybody in? Are you quite confident?

“Yeah, we've got to bring people in, yeah, definitely,” said Heckingbottom.

How big of a dent did the summer place in it. Is that having a knock-on effect? You brought 12 players in...

“We paid minimal,” said Heckingbottom. “What we sold Theo Mawene for, we used to bring in Jack, Thierry and Odel. And then we sold Jack Whatmough and used that money to help with wages and stuff. So, when things fall off, there'll be a lot of things fall off in the summer hopefully. Expenditure, things that's been committed before I got here and then if it frees up a bit more, we'll do a bit more business.

You are probably bored of being asked. Harrison (Armstrong) has obviously started at Villa Park in a win. Is that still possible?

“Yeah, at the minute, as it stands, we're all expecting him to come back,” said Heckingbottom.

Is there real communication and clarity from Everton?

“Yeah, but that can change, do you know what I mean?,” said Heckingbottom. “As it stands at the minute, yeah, the plan was for him to come and get good experience, a lot of game time. He's done himself no harm playing there; I'm watching him play and how well he's doing. But that's not a surprise to David (Moyes) and the people at Everton. They know what they've got, but they're also aware that unless David's going to be using him, he'll probably come here and get all his game time with us.”

Have you got a good idea, if it didn't happen, what you'd do? Is there one or two you've got who you think you’ll be able to get?

”Yeah, but whether we can get them, do you know what I mean?” said Heckingbottom. “You know what you want to do. If it was that easy, we'd have them in and out. We'd just be waiting on whatever happens with Harrison. It's tough, it's hard work, it’s not an easy window. I'm looking at the business clubs are doing and spending a lot of money, so that takes those players away from us.

“It's very difficult to think about bringing a player in, if I can't see him getting minutes. So, some we have to be patient on, I get that, I know that. Some we have to be aggressive on and keep trying to force them and make sure we get it over the line. Then we always have to keep our eyes open for anything that may change, come the last few days.”

I asked you about lifting the place. Harrison walking back in would be a huge boost to everybody, wouldn't it? They loved him here, you see his quality.

“Yeah, the lads like him, the fans like him,” said Heckingbottom. “Yeah, it will. When we bring players in it will be a boost. We know we need to do it, we've got to work our socks off to do it. Everyone's working hard to do it. I say it every time, every window is an opportunity to improve.

“We've obviously got three loans already in, Harrison if he did come back would be a fourth. We've only got one more slot then if it was a loan. Again, whenever we get an opportunity to bring in players who could be ours and the right fit, I'm all for that. I think that's got to be a priority. That's what we're working hard on as well.”