Paul Heckingbottom reveals the one thing “different” about Wrexham AFC now - Sheffield United fans will be interested to hear this | OneFootball

Paul Heckingbottom has outlined how Wrexham have changed since 2023

Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom has opened up on the difference at Wrexham between now and their FA Cup clash against his Sheffield United side.

The 48-year-old was in charge at Bramall Lane when the Blades met the Welsh outfit in a dramatic couple of cup ties during the 2022/23 campaign.

The two sides were drawn against each other in the fourth round, with the winner set for a glamorous tie against Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.

A dramatic 3-3 draw at the Racecourse Ground in January 2023 led to a replay at Bramall Lane in which stoppage time goals from Billy Sharp and Sander Berge sealed a 3-1 win.

But it didn’t end there, with Sharp causing an on-field bust-up after the game after he felt that Wrexham had disrespected Sheffield United by looking ahead to a potential clash against Spurs.

Paul Heckingbottom opens up on how Wrexham have changed

Heckingbottom has opened up on how Wrexham have changed in the almost three years since those two dramatic FA Cup games following Preston’s clash against Phil Parkinson’s side.

He believes that the Red Dragons are now playing at their level in the Championship, and that their behaviour has changed because they are no longer the big fish in a small pond after spending heavily to earn promotion from the National League to the second tier.

“The main difference between my first time up against Wrexham is they’ve found their level,” said Heckingbottom, via The Athletic.

“When they were in the National League, they signed players better than that level.

“Same in League Two and League One, signing players from a higher level.

“That probably got people’s backs up in those respective leagues.

“Now, they are no longer the biggest fish and their behaviour is different.

“There’s also a respect for what they are doing.”

Heckingbottom led Sheffield United to promotion to the Premier League that season, but ultimately was sacked after a disappointing start to life in the top flight.

The 48-year-old has been with Preston since August 2024, and will have his sights set on gaining promotion with the Lilywhites.

Preston North End’s promotion push

Preston moved into fifth place in the Championship table following their 1-1 draw with Wrexham, with the club eyeing a play-off place.

Only four points separate the Lancashire outfit from the newly-promoted side after 19 games, with Harrison Armstrong’s 81st minute strike cancelling out Kieffer Moore’s fourth minute opener to share the spoils at Deepdale last weekend.

Wrexham are also hoping to be in the mix for promotion to the Premier League, with the Red Dragons in the second tier for the first time this season since 1982.

Parkinson guided the club to promotion in each of the last three campaigns, bringing them from the National League to the Championship in the span between Heckingbottom’s last two meetings with the team, and his side are now 12th in the table and only three points adrift of Stoke City in sixth.

The Lilywhites have not earned a play-off place in the second tier since 2009, with their last top flight campaign coming in 1961.

Preston will face Wrexham again very quickly, with the two teams set to meet on 29 December at the Racecourse Ground, where Heckingbottom could be set for an interesting reception from the home fans due to his role in that FA Cup tie with Sheffield United.