Heckingbottom not concerned by Preston's league position

Preston North End head coach Paul Heckingbottom says he is not concerned with his side's league position despite sitting just one point above the Championship relegation zone.

North End currently occupy 20th and are on a run of seven league matches without a win but the former Sheffield United and Leeds boss is satisfied with his team's performances in recent weeks.

"Listen, its not nice. I’m not concerned by the league position, I’m concerned about us not creating the wins," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I think we’re fourth in the table for chances conceded so we’ve been limiting chances to teams but at the moment we keep getting punished.

"Our problem at the minute is when we’ve been the better team, we’ve tended to draw games, we’ve not won enough of them and that puts pressure on you."

North End conceded to Jerry Yates' 29th minute equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Derby County on Saturday, the Rams' only shot on target in the game.

Heckingbottom takes his side to Stoke City on Tuesday night who are currently unbeaten in their last four games.

"The fans are sharing the frustrations the same as us but the margins are so fine," he added.

"If we want to win the game, we’ve got to be good with the ball. I think if we are then we can pose them problems.

"However, if we neglect the bit without the ball, and don't out compete them, well, its always going to be a difficult game."

The 47-year-old remained coy on whether he will be given money to spend in the upcoming January transfer window, however.

"Hopefully. Transfer windows always provide an opportunity to change things but we might have to try really hard, we’ll have to wait and see," he added.