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Preston boss makes 'I won't enjoy watching us' admission unless they repeat Stoke City trick
Paul Heckingbottom thought that a game seemingly destined to finish 0-0 might ultimately swing in Preston North End's favour at Stoke City.
Heckingbottom thought his North End draw specialists were just 'hoping to get through' the match in the first half and he admitted he 'won't enjoy watching' his side unless they try to force the issue a little more like they went on to do a bit after the break, when they won nine corners and one shot on target - a long ranger from Ben Whiteman well saved by Viktor Johansson.
Ultimately, neither side could find a breakthrough and a red card to Preston keeper Freddie Woodman for deliberate handball outside his box was too late to really affect things.
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Heckingbottom said: "I'm pleased with lots of things in it. Once again we have limited a team to nothing on our goal, which is becoming a good habit that I'm pleased with. We've not had the rewards for doing that, to be fair, in the last few games and a team that has had one attempt on goal has scored. I'm pleased with a clean sheet.
"There were other pleasing things. The fact we were able to impose ourselves on the game, in terms of getting better as the game went on, is always a good sign away from home in particular. You know the home team is going to be the one usually forcing the issue as fans get behind the team and substitutions but I was pleased with our responses as the game wore on.
"I was pleased with the second half. I was comfortable as the game got stretched, which is something you're not always comfortable about away from home. I thought we dealt with them on the break really well, limited them. They get back behind the ball really quickly and block up space and I thought when it got stretched it could possibly be our moment.
"It shows a good mentality when you're able to grow into a game and start to impose yourself. First half we were good without the ball and not good enough with it, in terms of risking enough forward passes, key players weren't getting on the ball enough. That was our message at half time, 'Go and show how good you are.' We were sort of hoping we would get through the game but we can't do that, we have to be the one which forces the issue otherwise I won't enjoy watching us. We were much better in the second half."
