More teams than ever fancy their chances - Heckingbottom
'The set plays that I've banged on about, we've only lost four games. Three of those have been from set plays' - Heckingbottom
- Published
Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom has praised his side for getting "everything so right" to help them up to fifth on the table.
The Lilywhites did 2-1 lose to Blackburn Rovers on Friday for their fourth defeat of the season, however the 48-year-old has noticed a pattern across their losses.
"We've only lost four games but three of those have been from set plays," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire. "That's how important they are.
"The reason I'm really pleased with this group of players is that we have to get everything so right and that's what we've been doing."
Fourteen clubs have the potential to enter the weekend in the top six and while Heckingbottom believes the gap will begin to widen as the season progresses, he's not in a position to rule anyone out of the Championship promotion race.
Preston travel to Watford on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) with the Hornets 11th but just two points outside the top six.
"The amount of teams that will fancy their chances will be more than ever this season," Heckingbottom added.
"So many people thought X, Y, Z was going to happen and it just shows a big naivety, one about football, and about this league in particular.
"It's a good league for that reason and I think it's more competitive than ever."