Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom says Rovers “look a different team this season.”

Heckingbottom, who took charge at Deepdale last month following Ryan Lowe’s departure, has been impressed by John Eustace’s side in recent weeks.

“They had some big results last year, away to some big teams, but then they would fall back into some bad habits,” said the PNE chief.

“It was tough going for them to stay up, but they did it and now they look a team who have had that pre-season to reset.

“(They have) made some good signings, some good experience to add to the youth they have got. They have started the season well.

“My experience of them over the years is that they have been a dangerous team to play against. They seem to have kept that, but added a bit more defensive stability - and a bit more organisation without the ball.

“I think one thing we have to be wary of is Blackburn’s threat on the counter, they have scored the most goals from counter-attacks in the league.

“They are probably set up a lot, that way. John has had success doing it before and from his organisation, they have got good threats and pace to attack.”

Heckingbottom is well aware of Yuki Ohashi's quality following a promising start to life in English football.

“That has been a big part of their game, (Ohashi) has looked bright. He has come as a striker and I could imagine him playing off another striker with the way he plays,” the 47-year-old added.

“Certainly, when he picks the ball up and gets turned, the ball doesn’t seem to slow him down.

“Obviously, (Tyrhys) Dolan is quick enough, (Ryan) Hedges, (Andi) Weimann was always a counter-attacking player at Bristol City. So yeah, they have added to it.

“But it is more the tactical setup as well - that mid-block they like to play in and deny a lot of space, centrally.

“Then, being aggressive from that position means that, when they win it, there is space in behind the opposition’s backline - but also they are still close enough to goal to be a threat from where they win the ball.

“You can see they do a lot of work on that and you can see it has had a big influence on a lot of their games.”