Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom believes the club Is ‘working as hard’ as they can to improve further in the transfer market.
The manager has been candid about the club’s financial situation for the rest of the window during the past week. Heckingbottom has said in two different press conferences that the Lilywhites are now eligible for free transfers or loan agreements.
That sparked plenty of confusion among the Deepdale faithful, given reported seven-figure bids for the likes of Richard Kone and Callum Lang. After last weekend’s 1-1 draw at QPR, Heckingbottom used it as an opportunity to issue a rallying call.
The PNE boss spoke about the ‘siege mentality’ which played a part in the success he achieved at Sheffield United, and how he wants to instil the same at Deepdale. North End’s manager emphasised how damaging negativity can be on a match day, too.
There have, though, remained serious questions from supporters around the club’s remaining budget. With it communicated in late July that more money was expected to be spent, has the financial position changed since the summer started?
“I think in terms of finances that’s not changed,” said Heckingbottom. “Obviously, I don’t do the numbers and the books. There’s only a finite amount of cash and that’s why I said we have to look to be as cute as we possibly can with it, and I think we have been.
“But, I’m still saying that we need to be competitive. We need a couple more players and I know Peter (Ridsdale) and Craig (Hemmings) don’t want to hear that. I get that but I want us to be as competitive as possible, so we’re all working together as hard as we can to try and make that happen.
“If we can, fantastic. We’re not veering away from a plan or anything that was set out last season, so it’s just really important that we do as much as we possibly can in these last three weeks.”
Heckingbottom added to BBC Lancashire: “It was really clear last season what we needed in terms of positions and players. That’s not changed in my eyes and I want those bodies in. If that has a knock-on effect, then so be it.
Some may leave, or not. We’ll have to wait and see. It’s not because we’ve got one or two injuries at the minute, or I’m putting Michael (Ayodele) on the bench or starting Theo (Carroll).
As I emphasized before, I want more attacking options that will support us off the bench. In every game, I would like to use sixteen participants. We’ll use 16 guys if we get the bodies perfect. It benefits us in both that game and subsequent ones.
