Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom has made it clear that the club must prioritize strengthening their attacking options in the upcoming summer transfer window. Despite a season that started with unexpected turmoil, Preston have settled into their familiar mid-table finish, but Heckingbottom believes that bolstering their offensive line is crucial if they are to compete for higher aspirations next season.
The 2024-2025 campaign for Preston North End has been anything but smooth sailing. The season began with the surprising dismissal of former manager Ryan Lowe just after the opening match, leaving the team in a period of uncertainty. In came Paul Heckingbottom, who managed to steady the ship and guide the team to a fairly typical mid-table position by the end of the season. However, Heckingbottom is far from satisfied with the current state of the squad and has identified the need for significant investment in the attacking third of the pitch.
Despite some solid performances and decent showings from individual players, Preston’s attacking play has been inconsistent throughout the season. Their struggles in front of goal have been evident, with a lack of firepower often hampering their ability to challenge for a spot in the playoff places. Heckingbottom has emphasized that a more potent attacking unit is essential if the club is to make progress and achieve greater success in the future.
“We need to invest in key areas this summer,” Heckingbottom said in a recent interview. “Our attacking options have been too limited at times, and it’s something we need to address. To challenge for promotion, we must be able to break down teams and consistently score goals.”
Preston have relied heavily on their solid defensive foundation and disciplined approach, but as Heckingbottom pointed out, a more dynamic and prolific attack is needed to take them to the next level. The club’s struggles to score goals in key matches have often left them stuck in mid-table mediocrity, unable to break into the top six where promotion aspirations lie.
With the summer transfer window approaching, Heckingbottom will be hoping that the club’s board will back him in securing the attacking reinforcements he believes are necessary. The manager’s focus will be on finding players who can offer creativity, pace, and, most importantly, the ability to put the ball in the back of the net. If Preston can address this key area, they will likely be in a much stronger position for a more successful 2025-2026 campaign.
As the off-season draws closer, all eyes will be on Preston to see if they can back their manager’s vision and bring in the attacking talent required to push the club forward.
