Lancashire derby telling for Heckingbottom future

[Getty Images] Preston North End are approaching what could already be a pivotal week for the course of their whole season. A strong claim just a few weeks into the campaign - but with discontent growing amongst their support leading into this term, they have done nothing to quell worries with their start. They remain winless across 90 minutes from their five games so far and are currently rooted to the bottom of the Championship table - behind a team who started with negative points, mind. A late equaliser and penalty shootout win against lesser-ranked Huddersfield Town - at Goodison Park - is the only source of joy so far for the Lilywhites' faithful who have spent recent weeks watching their club toil both on and off the pitch. All eyes were on one particular executive box at Deepdale on Tuesday as the transfer window closed, amidst a disappointing 3-1 defeat by Bristol City, a game in which North End were admittedly the better team. In that room were PNE CEO Peter Ridsdale, as well as other club officials, as deals were hashed out. In came Johnny Kenny and Liam Gibbs, for a reported £3m and a season-long loan respectively. Although perhaps unfair to the players who have yet to step foot beyond the lines in blue and white, the double deal was met with an underwhelming response from PR1 as the deals were announced on the big screen mid-match. Former club captain Alan Browne, linked with a return, remained on Wearside with Premier League Sunderland, a deal largely out of North End's control. But as the season continues, the importance of Saturday's Lancashire derby with Blackburn Rovers only grows. Frustration mounts among supporters and Paul Heckingbottom's record at PNE does not rank him highly over recent incumbents. His side's start to the season has not done anything to win back dissenters and he now faces a much-depleted Rovers side in a derby. Football fans are hard to win back once they have made their mind up and Preston fans are no different in that respect. Apathy amongst Lilywhites fans is often a death rattle for the man in charge of their club and that grows with each passing defeat. A defeat against a local rival, who are struggling to fill their bench, could prove insurmountable for the support Heckingbottom would want from his side's fanbase. The board at North End are not renowned for snap decisions, more the opposite, but another lacklustre weekend will only intensify desire for change from the outside. It could, however, also be argued that Heckingbottom has left the summer with a weaker squad than he entered it with as the 2025-26 season drew to a close. The PNE boss has spoken often about wanting to play four at the back this campaign - he has a squad ill-equipped for such a system and early showings this campaign suggest that doing it anyway may not yield the desired results. There have been some good acquisitions, going off early impressions. Caleb Wiley impressed in his first league start for the club, so too Stan Mills. Leo Leroy looks an astute addition to replace want-away captain Ben Whiteman, Harry Clarke looks a dynamic addition to the backline; with Alfie Devine's pedigree proven last campaign. The jury remains out on Delano Burgzorg and Jusef Erabi, with Lee Nicholls ideally not being needed much as a back-up. This is the most PNE have spent in a single transfer window, of that there is no doubt. They have bested their previous transfer record from before the summer window at least three times and have their most expensively assembled squad in the club's history. Regardless of how it has been spent, the investment in the playing squad this summer is historic and should be commended. With that, they are 24th and relegation worries are very real. All eyes will be on Deepdale on Saturday lunchtime. It's a game that could kick-start North End's season, or, already, derail it. Latest Preston North End news, analysis and fan views