Preston boss happy with side's clear 'identity'

Paul Heckingbottom has managed in the Championship with four different clubs

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom says he is pleased with how quickly his side has developed a defined 'identity'.

A 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland means it is now only one defeat in their last seven games, although they only remain above the bottom three on goal difference.

The ex-Sheffield United boss replaced Ryan Lowe in August and has 15 points from his 12 games in charge.

"The pleasing thing is when I speak to people in football and teams are preparing to play us, we've got an identity, a clear style," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Teams are having to change and be really disciplined to get the better of us. I take that as a compliment."

This season, Preston's average possession per match has gone up from 44.6% to 47.6% and their number of shots per game has risen from 9.26 to 10.64 - that is with only a third of the season played.

Last season, only bottom side Rotherham United had fewer shots at goal than Preston did in the whole of the campaign.

But the challenge for Heckingbottom is to turn improved statistics into the most important thing of all - improved results.

Their recent run of seven games may include only one defeat, but there have only been two wins as well.

"The bits that are really pleasing me is how we're outperforming teams in terms of xG as I know that was a big issue for the group," he said.

"But the result will always be determined by what happens in both boxes.

"Overall the level of performance has been that good. I know this league inside out and there's no reason why we can't be competitive with sides like Sunderland."