EFL experts praise Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom after subtle change in Portsmouth triumph
Preston North End returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth.
Paul Heckingbottom’s subtle formation change on Saturday was the key reason behind their triumph over Portsmouth.
That’s the clear verdict of Ali Maxwell from the respected Not The Top 20 podcast, who has sung the praise of the North End boss for his ability to rotate his tactics.
The Lilywhites reverted away from a back three for their game against the Blues, lining up with a back four at Deepdale.
Heckingbottom’s men remained defensively resilient in the remaining stages, with Pompey pilling on late pressure as they went in search of an equaliser.
Indeed, Maxwell was impressed with the head coach’s ability to change his formation in a bid to find a winning formula after a run of four games without a win.
Expert’s praise over PNE boss
Speaking on the latest episode of Not The Top 20, he said: ‘We talked about (Sergej) Jakirovic changing shape (for Hull City), it’s actually quite a strong week for managers changing shape for the first time in a while.
‘Eric Ramsay did it at West Brom under quite serious fan pressure but Hecky did it as well. I see Hecky’s PNE as a very set in stone three at the back team and it’s worked very, very well for them.
‘They’re level with the play-offs, they’re always higher than you’d think they’d be. He switched to a 4-4-2 here, there’s been some absences at the back, some poor form as well. 4-4-2 with Thierry Small and Alfie Devine rolling inside.
‘It ends up looking a little bit like Kim Hellberg’s (Middlesbrough boss) attacking domination, albeit the build-up does not look like it.
‘They found space down the left with Vukcevic the left-back, Devine had rolled inside, extra man in the box to head home. That was the difference between the two sides.’
Devine’s first half effort on the stroke of half time was the difference at Deepdale, with his looping header enough to get past the fully-stretched Nicolas Schmid.
And Maxwell believes headed goals have to have their own category after his outstanding finish last time out.
Headed goals should have their own catergory
He added: ‘This was basically a match that happened, it was kind of like a 0-0 that wasn’t a 0-0. That’s because one of the great looping headers of the season so far scored by Alfie Devine.
‘I think it’s important that we break down (headed goals). When you break down goals scored with feet, you could talk about a curler, you might talk about a pile driver, you might talk about passing it into the net.
‘I think headed finishes should have their own category.’