Heckingbottom on Preston's cup exit to Arsenal
30/10/2024
Preston FC, Preston, UK
30/10/2024
Preston FC, Preston, UK
Category
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SportsTranscript
00:00The second goal was fantastic, but for me, I think we felt their levels in terms of their intensity and their quality without the ball.
00:09It really put us under pressure and we weren't as good as they were without the ball.
00:13I felt we weren't showing how good we can be with the ball and how good of players we had on the pitch.
00:17So that was sort of the challenge thrown down to the players at half-time.
00:22We need to be better with the ball, braver, take the ball, and I thought we did that second half.
00:26Do you know what's coming from stopping it and dealing with it?
00:30Yes, listen, I knew exactly what to expect from Mikel and his team,
00:34and probably having seen the team sheet, it reinforced that.
00:39So, I knew what was facing us, what was coming, and with that comes that challenge.
00:45Like I said, I thought the second half, I was really pleased that we kept the same energy, we kept the same work rate,
00:51but we were braver and passed the ball and one or two players showed their quality, which we didn't in the first half.
00:57The team was interested in freshening up their tactics as well?
01:01Yes, listen, seven games in three weeks, you see Arsenal's team, that'll chop and change in the next few weeks.
01:12It's been the same with us, we've been making changes game to game.
01:15We have to, to try and get those levels of energy.
01:18It's impossible to do it with 11 players.
01:22Injuries as well, with Robbie missing, it means we've only got two wing-backs that's been playing, if you like, this season.
01:28They're not going to play every game, so we've generally got the width then with another wide player.
01:33So, it's an opportunity for Josh and Geppi to show what they can do, because, like I said, we've won them in the team,
01:41but our better performances have been coming with wing-backs in the team,
01:44so we know we're going to need more from them.
01:46So, getting them minutes was important and also protecting some of the players who are carrying one or two things at the minute.
01:53Was the plan with Reece to leave in the last half an hour really used as a case of courage instead of the game, or was figuring what that role was really suited for tonight?
02:01No, Emil's having to play 90 minutes after 90 minutes and it takes its toll and I've been really pleased with how he's been performing.
02:07So, I want to keep those levels.
02:10But, like I said, it's just impossible for anyone to put out the numbers physically that we're after.
02:19Every three days, you just can't do it.
02:21So, we need to protect him and with him being the only nine, if you like.
02:25I know Sam's played there today, but I like Sam with another body up there.
02:30We've got no-one back until after the international break, so we need him.
02:34Was the FPL positive for Preston Flanders as a team, which will be one tonight, both sides of the game?
02:39Yes, a better second half.
02:41Like I said, the conversation with Jeppey has just been about being more positive.
02:49If you're in the team as one of the, well, any player, but one of the attacking players, we want things at the top end of the pitch.
02:54You've seen that again with our wing-backs.
02:56They've been attacking, whether it's Robbie set plays, Robbie delivery shots, and also defending, same with Kane or Potts on the other side.
03:03So, minimum, we want more attacking output from our wide players.
03:07If they're going to play, then what our wing-backs deliver.
03:09So, that's the challenge.
03:11That's what we want.
03:12That's what we need.
03:13Do you expect Arsenal to go as strong as they did in the pre-match?
03:18Yes, I knew it would be the first-team squad, maybe one or two young lads in.
03:23Like I said, it didn't surprise me because I know Mikel and what he's about and their intensity,
03:30their levels of performance in terms of that.
03:32Never drop, never drop.
03:33One or two per cent, that's it.
03:35So, yes, I'm not surprised at all by how they played tonight.
03:41Yes, we treat, well, I always treat, and certainly I've done this every cup competition different from the league, everyone.
03:48We want to enjoy it, we want to enjoy the experiences, the games, no matter where they are.
03:54Yes, so it's a good mental break from the Championship League as well.
03:59All good?
04:00Thanks, mate.
04:01Cheers, George.