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Boos from Preston fans with Paul Heckingbottom venting frustration at 3-1 defeat to Oxford

There were boos from Preston fans at full time with Paul Heckingbottom venting his frustration at the 3-1 defeat to Oxford.

Oxford made it back-to-back league wins for the first time this season and move out of the relegation zone as they made it a 6th defeat in 10 for Preston.

Michal Helik put the U’s ahead after just 5 minutes, before Milutin Osmajic grabbed an equaliser on the 12th minute.

Will Lankshear put Oxford ahead on the 54th minute with an improvised finish, then Ciaron Brown’s header made sure of the win seven minutes later, home fans in side Deepdale heading for the exits and boos were heard from the very few remaining at the end.

Preston’s Paul Heckingbottom, per Sky Sports: “There were no surprises in how they set up, especially away from home – defend deep, deny space and be a threat on counters and set-plays.

“That’s why I’m so disappointed because if we’re going to concede three goals in the manner that we did, we’re not going to give ourselves a chance in games.

“I feel at the minute we’re a soft touch when we’re defending in our box and that’s happened three times.

“(Earlier in the season) we were like a brick wall at times, whether that be denying the ball from getting in the box (or blocking it) if it did come in. Everything else between both penalty boxes is just smoke and mirrors. It’s propaganda.”

He said, as per Lancashire Post: “There was no surprise in how they set up, especially away from home: defend deep, deny space, be a threat on the counter and set plays. That’s why it hurts so much, and I’m so disappointed, because if we’re going to concede three goals in the manner that we did, we’re not going to have a chance in games.

“I’m looking at the minute and we were a soft touch today defending that box, absolute soft touch, and that’s happened three times since the New Year, or around that time. I know we were like a brick wall at times, whether that was denying the ball coming out of the box, or if it did come in. Everything else between both penalty boxes is just smoke and mirrors, it’s just propaganda.

“It’s both penalty boxes where the game’s won and lost and we are just disappointed with the manner of the goals. Like I say, it’s not like we didn’t know what was coming. I’m looking at the defenders we played today. Certainly Jordan, Gibbo, Hughesy, I’d have backed them defending the box against anyone, absolutely anyone. Like I said, everything else is smoke and mirrors between the box.

“It’s the mentality to win, it’s doing the jobs, being really focused on it and taking pride in it. Let’s not focus on all the nonsense, the fluff; Let’s focus on being a team that no-one wants to play against. A manager has not said that to me in a while.

“The effort and commitment was there, but they out-battled us. We ran, we competed, but we got beat up in the box. If you’ve watched us of late, there have been two or three times where we’ve looked a soft touch in those situations.”

“To get more attacking players on the pitch, all our goalscorers on. To move Dobbo into a position where we could get him the ball, where they like to play narrow and get him out the middle where the bobbles are; where we’re not getting the ball into his feet. So, that was a big one.

“We still wanted the height and the aggression at the back to defend the set plays, as it’s shown how important it is today. As poor as we were defending those moments, we got ourselves back into the game. We stayed patient, we kept getting on the ball because once they scored and they can sit in, it became difficult, but we were patient.

“Got on the ball, created opportunities. The goal was very, very good. And then we had another one very similar just afterwards, same sort of build, delivery. At half-time, we spoke about more of the same with the ball but reiterated what their threats were, whether it was countering from our set plays, or playing for their own.

“But the second goal as well, I know it’s second, third phase. It’s still a set play where we don’t defend our box properly. And the third one, the same sort. If you’re going to concede three goals like that, it’s going to be a tough day.”

Oxford United boss Matt Bloomfield told BBC Radio Oxford:

“It’s the best performance in my time here. Both in and out of possession there was lots to like, but I’m not going to get carried away about it, it’s just one game.

“We’ve put two wins back-to-back for the first time in quite a while which we’re really pleased about.

“A lot of the players were at a really good level which allowed us to have a team performance and we created multiple opportunities.

“I was actually disappointed at half-time that we left a couple of goals out there, but the second half the way they played the game in front of them, I thought the lads were excellent.”

 Bloomfield told Sky Sports: “I was really pleased with the performance. Back-to-back wins for the first time in over a year, the lads are enjoying it.

“I thought we left a couple of goals out there to be honest, we created some good opportunities, but you can’t be too greedy.

“We showed enjoyment and freshness which was really pleasing. Set-pieces are crucial for us, but I thought we created decent opportunities from open play as well.”

Bloomfield said ‘being in touch’ in the relegation fight after back-to-back wins was vital, adding: “We know the task in hand. We have been chasing ever since I have been here.

“We don’t want to get too emotional about the situation, we want to focus on the performances and then hopefully we’ll be able to enjoy more nights like this.”

Oxford goalscorer Will Lankshear told Sky Sports: “I think we have played well for the majority of the season and tonight epitomised the spirit and the fight we have shown.

“It’s massive, we have failed to put back-to-back performances in and it’s something we have worked towards. We need to put in performances in all the remaining 10 games.”

The Spurs loanee said he was claiming the second goal after touching in Stan Mills’ shot with his studs, saying: “I did feel a touch and felt like I directed it in. Whatever happens I’m happy we won the game. Stan was unbelievable today and has been all season.

“We have got the belief, the spirit and the fight and we will continue to show it.”

Oxford winger Stan Mills told Sky Sports: “We wanted to put back to back performances in. It feels good (to be out of the bottom three) but there are still 30 points to play for.

“We’re going to get ready for Wednesday and Saturday (when Oxford host fellow basement battlers Blackburn and Charlton).”

Danny Mills, Stan’s dad, was at the game. Stan added: “He’ll tell me that’s got to be the minimum standard. Hard work.”

Twitter users reacted following boos from Preston fans with Paul Heckingbottom venting frustration at his side’s 3-1 defeat to Oxford…

@dom_33: Disgraceful, it’s getting worse. Shades of the postman, the end of Lowe’s time & Ryan Lowe. Sack him north end & sack the entire coaching staff

@retro_seasider: Don’t worry give it 40 years and mid table will be a playoff spot

@KeatonFisher19: The entire club has let the Fans & Hecky down. Sat in the play offs in Jan, clubs with a brain cell invest, improve the squad. Us, sign some random Serb who might as well work for Uber while he’s here cus he’s not getting game time. Moran, doesn’t play & Lang #pnefc

@elwardo86: Refuse to believe this post xmas fall off is a coincidence year on year… different managers, different teams, same drop off, all the way back to the paul simpson era… fanbase consistently treated like mushrooms, fed shit n kept in the dark. Iverson a prime example #pnefc

@FPLSportScience: Fans are mad. Expectations way too high because we massively over-achieved in the first half of the season compared to underlying numbers. Now overreacting by calling for Heckingbottom to be sacked. Overall position is as expected based on the squad and pre season expectations.

@KungFuNed: You all should be ashamed of yourselves! Embarrassing! Fair play to Oxford, deserved the 3 points but they didn’t have to work hard for it! The whole club is just boring!!!

@brfc_reece: It’s alright lads you got promoted in september anyways

@GHodgsonSport: Appalling night. Team looks an absolute shadow of itself. A season which had hope around it has well and truly capitulated. Seen it too many times before. #pnefc

@Sedds_lep: Oxford could have had it wrapped up by half-time with the chances they had. All three goals so poor – their second came less than a minute after we tried a crap free kick routine. 70% possession wins you nowt when there’s no purpose to your play. Drop off alarming. #pnefc

@highflyinbakes2: Pundits / podcasts constantly writing Oxford off even after they drew at ours then boro . They’re staying up sending Leicester down … wonderful stuff 👌

@Jamiewi55927928: Wow come on you yellows that was superb

@RayRiches5: I honestly believe all of the anti Bloomfield/Helik/Mills critics need a rethink. COYY

@greenway_dan: Didn’t have loads of the ball but when we did have it we actually played some nice football personally feel like that’s the first time we have done that in a while #UTFO 💛💙

@MartinCoates123: Now that’s how you battle. Great win, could have 5 or 6 tonight. What a brilliant team performance. Well done lads 💪👊👊👊

@PeteLinzey: To a man… Phenomenal. Could have been 5 or 6. What a fantastic effort. We are fighting our asses off and you cant ask more than that from the boys 💛

@SeeneyJoe: Huge win. Mills outstanding. Desire all over the pitch. You can’t ask more

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