PNE host Wrexham on Saturday afternoon... manager Paul Heckingbottom looked ahead to the game on Thursday

On Wrexham...

“Yeah, they're eight unbeaten in the league and I said to the players this morning, that shows they're a good side,” said Heckingbottom. “You can get runs of four, five, maybe six games unbeaten in the Championship, and even that's good, because you know how competitive it is. But to go eight unbeaten shows they're in good form - it's a reflection of how they're playing at the minute and where they're at.

“So yeah, we're coming up against a team high on confidence, in good nick and they'll be coming here trying to get the points. One thing I‘ve noticed with them and the difference - they've always had or been able to sign players better than the league that they're in. Whereas, that's hard when you get to the Championship. As much money as they've spent, it's hard to go and sign Premier League players.

“But they've had the finances and the recruitment has been good, and Phil (Parkinson) knows what he's after. Some have won the Premier League but they've had players who've got promotions out of this league already, and players who, in the last two, three seasons, have been top players in this league. So, the run they're on doesn't surprise me. They've got one hell of a squad and some really good experience in there.”

On expectations for Saturday...

“A tough one,” said Heckingbottom. “We're playing the in-form team at the minute, and there's an expectation that comes with them. They've come up and they are big hitters in this league, through the squad they've put together. When they were in the lower leagues, I think they maybe had a target on their back and a lot of teams maybe resented them a little bit. There was a bit of a stigma that came with them.

“But I think, because they're in a top league now, at the top level, there's not that. There's a respect for what they're doing. I'm looking at them and their squad, not looking at the off-field stuff, which has always been a story with them. You're looking at a really good Championship squad who've got ambitions to be at the top end. So, we're approaching it as that and expecting a tough, tough game against a good side.”

On the EFL Cup meeting from August...

“Totally different,” said Heckingbottom. “I mean, they'll be playing a different team, in terms of personnel. We certainly will. We were making pre-arranged subs at the time there because we just welcomed players in, and back. We weren't prioritising the next game; we were trying to win the cup game. But what we were prioritising was getting players up to speed, and building the squad.”

On Kieffer Moore, Josh Windass and Nathan Broadhead...

“Kieffer was straight in there, Josh Windass straight in there, scoring goals,” said Heckingbottom. “I think Nathan had to wait a little bit longer, but he's been a big part of the last eight games, arguably one of the better players. If you guys looked at the squad, he could pick any number of players to play against us.

“As well as they're doing, he's still made one or two tweaks and changes in personnel and positions, which has slightly changed the dynamic of the team. So, we know that and we're aware of that, but it's not weakened them in any way. They're on that run for a reason. I think they've grown as a team. They've brought a lot of players in and they've all settled down now, playing a part.”

On his FA charge for misconduct...

“I'm just not saying anything,” said Heckingbottom, to BBC Lancashire. “Listen, it's hard when you get... I get penalised for telling the truth, that's it, and I’ve I'm told the truth again. I don’t know (if I’ll miss games), honestly, don’t know. Yes and no (to being surprise or not by the charge).”

On being top eight for goals scored...

“Yeah, absolutely (one of the most pleasing things),” said Heckingbottom. “It's what we've really focused on and changed. But again, you look at Coventry, that's why they're up there. I do like how they play, I like the job Frank's done there, but the big, big thing is the goals because they've changed games. They can be on the back foot, bang, bang they are two up or back in a game. Because, they get goals from everywhere.

“All the front players are scoring, whether that's Simms, whether that's Thomas-Asante, whether that's Haji Wright, they're all chipping in. Then the wingers are scoring goals, Torp from midfield almost double figures now, Bobby Thomas, centre-back banging them in. They have got a threat all over and that's why they're up there. That is a big, big thing. I look at the game (last) Saturday for us... we got a lot of things wrong, but got more things right in those key moments, which is big.”

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