Paul Heckingbottom reveals man-marking role he deployed in attempt to stifle Middlesbrough

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom applauds the fans at the final whistle
-Credit: (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)


Paul Heckingbottom says he had Middlesbrough forward Finn Azaz man-marked throughout Saturday's 1-1 draw, in order to stop Boro from overloading the centre of the pitch.

Azaz had been one of Boro's most influential players in the early weeks of the season. He went into the Preston game having had more shots and shots on target than any other Championship player while also sitting joint top of the chances created table.

But well aware that Boro like to allow their left-sided forward to roam into a central position in order to free up space down the left for the full-back while also adding an extra body into a central area, Heckingbottom had Brad Potts ultimately followed the ex-Plymouth man around throughout.

READ MORE: Michael Carrick under no illusion about where Middlesbrough must improve but no panic yet

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Explaining his tactics post-match, the Lilywhites boss said: “That is where they are dangerous. They try and outnumber you in the middle of the park and that is where they are very, very good. So, I thought it helped us deal with them, but then us with the ball - when Pottsy found himself wide, because Sam [Greenwood] had come inside, in that transition Azaz is free.

"So, it was cat and mouse. As much as it was helping us deal with and stop them, I felt in that first moment when we lost the ball, that was when they were most dangerous. They’re a good side and you can see what they’re trying to do. They’re very good players and I really like them at the top end of the pitch.

"That’s why we defended as we did. The other way is to sit back really deep and block the pitch up. But I just don’t like doing that. I’d rather we have bodies in, knowing you can get exploited. Their goal comes from that, so we can still do better.

“I expect us to compete against a team like Boro - and that’s me knowing how good a team they are. I enjoy watching them. They create a lot of opportunities. But, for all the possession they had, and the ball in and around our box, I felt we limited them.

"They had a lot of crosses coming in that maybe led to glances and attempts, but they never threatened our goal. The most dangerous moments when they get the ball in the box and look for the pull-back or to pick a pass in the box, we had the bodies in the right areas to stop it.”

Tommy Conway put Boro ahead in the game after just 16 minutes. Carrick's side dominated things from there, until Preston found their equaliser of 43 minutes. It was another frustrating case of not being ruthless enough when getting into positive openings during a positive opening 40 minutes. In the second half, Preston battled well, and used the dark arts when needed, to limit Boro and take a point back to Lancashire.

“A battling point,” Heckingbottom continued. “I am pleased with the fact we battled back, after going behind. Boro will know they shaded it in terms of efforts on goal and things like that. I was frustrated in the first half, because we had good moments of possession - but really lacked penetration. And, when we did get things right, we got in behind, got balls into the box and I thought Boro’s best moments came from our mistakes.

“We were really loose in possession, or we lost the first pass and they were then a threat. I was comfortable when their centre-backs had the ball. And yeah, a really poor goal for us to lose. But, the way we fought back and defended in the second half was pleasing. We were in that position, just in front of their back four, so often. We just didn’t work on the things we’ve worked on, in terms of the little runs and slide passes in behind their defence.

“And, risking the ball. I am happy to risk the ball there. Even if you lose it, try and regain it high. I don’t think we did that once in the first half, so it was like we were trying to score the perfect goal. The response was good and I was happy to go in one-one, after the first half performance. Second half, when Boro really pressed and got in and around our box, everyone protected Freddie (Woodman) really well - and he was very good when called upon. It was a hard-earned point.

“The bit I liked was coming back and the fact we still tried to be brave and aggressive, pressing them while knowing we would leave space. Boro are very good at exploiting that, especially in the middle of the pitch. But, that is the way we want to play. I wouldn’t have been happy just sitting back and defending for the one-one. I wanted us to be aggressive and try get that second goal. The subs were good and we needed to make them when we did, to inject more energy.”