North End's start comes as no surprise to Hecky

From Back Page message - you've heard me say it - when everyone's banging on about money, that's irrelevant.

- by George Hodgson

Paul Heckingbottom applauds the fans at the final whistle after Saturday's victory over Charlton

"It's how the players approach every day, how they train. And then the games, and I back us as staff to get a lot of things right.

"But then we have to try and pass that information on, and I think the results early on helped with the belief and understanding the message.

"It's all right me saying money's nothing; if we lose the first few games and everyone's still banging on about it, then I don't know what I'm talking about, do I? So that narrative's shifted and I've almost got rid of that excuse.

"You know what I keep saying about getting rid of the excuses and just focus on the performance, so I think we've been able to do that."