PNE lost 3-1 at Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon. Paul Heckingbottom, the manager of Portsmouth North End, says he constantly seeks for leadership and mindset in his players.
Following last Saturday’s incredibly sad 3-1 loss at Portsmouth, those two things were questioned. At Fratton Park, John Mousinho’s team defeated the Lilywhites handily, moving up off the bottom of the Championship table.
The performance by North End was identical to the one that was given at Millwall six weeks prior. Heckingbottom was not pleased with what he observed at The Den, and the situation on the south coast was comparable. Given that PNE is ranked 20th in the division, he will have much to think about over the next two weeks.
Since leadership and mindset are two of the most important aspects of a football team and squad, Heckingbottom added, “I always question that.” I doubt it every day, 100% of the time. If it is not something you are born with, you will need to practise it.
“There were a lot of the same players on the pitch in the second half, who were much more competitive and aggressive. It’s a switch you have to flick. When I was playing, if there was a tackle and someone caught me or got the better of me, it sort of flicks that switch. But, it didn’t seem to do that. We had to do it as a group and staff at half-time.”
The 47-year-old has been in the job for almost three months, but was consistent in assuring he came into it with his eyes wide open. Heckingbottom had no pre-season to work with the squad and only 12 days of the summer transfer window left, upon his appointment. He has stressed the need to balance picking up points in the short-term and building something longer-term – but knows this was always going to be a learning season for him at Deepdale.
“Yeah, 100 per cent,” said Heckingbottom. “I think the job makes you impatient, but I am learning about the group and squad. I know, just through experience, it is not always going to be smooth sailing. You always have it and this league does tend to dish up a lot more volatility – in terms of results. So yeah, listen, there is not too much more I want to say on it. I would rather speak internally about it.”