Championship 'as tough as I've ever known it'
This season's Championship is 'as tough as I've ever known it' - Heckingbottom
- Published
Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom said his players and the fans have been "fantastic" in what he called the toughest Championship season he has experienced.
Preston have had a positive start, having only lost once - 1-0 to Portsmouth - in their five league games so far as they prepare for Saturday's trip to Derby County.
They have also lost experienced player Robbie Brady to a calf injury, which will see him sidelined for a number of months.
"If we want to have a chance, we have got to do it our way," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"We are playing another team at the weekend that have spent millions of pounds. So, if everyone is right with what they put on social media, then we should lose. We either accept that and roll over or do things our way, and for us to do that we need everyone on the same page.
"The fact that we have had good performances up to this point, people are understanding that it is not about the money, it is about what we do and the fans have been fantastic, the players have been fantastic and we need to make sure we stick together and continue it through the season."
Preston, targeting a first away league win of the season, face a Derby side who picked up their first three points and clean sheet last Saturday in a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion.
"This league is funny this season, it is as tough as I've ever known it," Heckingbottom said. "I mean every game looks as if it is going to very competitive.
"Every game is going to be decided by the finest of margins, and as it stands I can't see that really changing.
"It will be a tough game [against Derby] regardless, they showed that last weekend. Also, when they played Ipswich and Bristol City, they are more than comfortable to hang in games and grab a result - that straightaway tells me this is going to be a tough game.
"They have recruited and really changed the squad by putting some firepower in at the top end of the pitch.
"We have to make sure we bring our best and cause as many problems as possible, whilst dealing with them and their threat."
