Paul Heckingbottom reaction as Preston North End earn first win of league season against Blackburn Rovers
A much-needed three points.
Paul Heckingbottom has given his immediate reaction after a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers gave his Preston North End side a first victory of the season.
Two first-half Callum Lang goals gave PNE a healthy lead at the break before Stanley Mills’ own goal early in the second half. North End held on and secured the bragging rights on derby day.
Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire: “The message after the game midweek was one of where the game was won and lost, and I thought today is the best we've been without the ball, barring probably the second half against Huddersfield when we had 10 men. It's a huge, huge part of the game.
“We got in front, two really good goals from Langy's point of view and where we wanted him and the deliveries in the box. But for me, the best thing about us today was that spirit and the determination to see the game out, which is vital in this league.”
He added: “I think [Blackburn Rovers] are a bright team. You could see probably the start of the second half shows what they're all about. They have a lot of rotation, drop players outside the shape to keep the ball.
“The only time for me where I wasn't happy with it was the start of the second half when I felt they started to play through us. We didn't get any pressure on them. I think that's when for me, I felt [we were] most vulnerable when they were playing through us in those moments.”
Heckingbottom was pleased with the way the goals came about, especially the second. Set pieces is something PNE have wanted to improve on for some time, and Thompson’s free kick assist, as well as Lang getting off the mark, were the attacking aspects that the North End boss was happiest about.
“The delivery from JT is good. You've got to attack the ball, you really have. You've got players who can do that, but there's a knack to scoring goals. You can be the most dominant player in the world with your head, but sometimes people haven't got that knack of putting it in the net. Langy does attack the ball really well in the box, and I think his two goals are a good example of that.
“[Lang] worked really hard in the close season, so he was training all summer. We've still been careful, sensible with him during pre-season and the start of the season with his schedule. We want to build up that resilience in his body, definitely. But more importantly, when he's playing, we want to make sure he can go flat out like he did today.”