Preston form has 'changed opponents' mentality'

Preston North End's improved form in 2025-26 has changed the way they are viewed by their opponents when playing at home, boss Paul Heckingbottom believes.

The Lilywhites are sixth in the Championship table and four points off the second automatic promotion place following their 3-0 home win over Sheffield Wednesday on New Year's Day.

Heckingbottom has overseen an impressive turnaround in fortunes compared to last season, when North End only preserved their second-tier status on the final day of the campaign.

"We saw it last season when we were at the wrong end of the table - we saw a different approach from teams when they came here because our home form was good," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It's something we have talked about because if we are going to be at the top end of the league, people are going to come here with a different mentality and mindset.

"We just want to make sure we win as many games as possible here [at home] and sometimes we have to be really conscious of our approach to that."

Milutin Osmajic made a goalscoring return from a nine-game ban as Preston ended a four-game winless run at Deepdale.

Osmajic, who was handed the suspension in November after being charged with racially abusing Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, fired into the top corner to double Preston's lead in the second half before Lewis Dobbin added their third as he returned from injury.

"The biggest thing for me is having those attacking options at the top end of the pitch which is really important," Heckingbottom added.

"Whoever we start with, being able to bring on energy, aggression and quality at the top end of the pitch whether you're winning or losing is a big thing.

"To have those two back, added to what we had up there, was good."