Preston North End boss Billy Davies’ programme notes ahead of the game against Ipswich Town.

Good evening and welcome to Deepdale.

A fortnight ago when I wrote my programme notes prior to the Coventry City game we were sitting just outside of a play-off position and looking forward to a couple of tough encounters against two very physical sides in Coventry and QPR.

We started off at home against Micky Adams’ side who are fighting for every point at the bottom of the Championship table, they got at us right from the start and scored an early goal which really set us back. But we got back into the game and just after half-time Chris Lucketti scored what proved to be a crucial goal.

The skipper has been excellent this season and on more than one occasion he has shown why we rewarded him with a new contract, he paid back a massive part of that last weekend when he was in the right place at the right time to score the winner in a frenetic afternoon’s play at Loftus Road.

There is no escaping the fact that I had one or two choice words to say to the players after what was a disappointing first 45 minutes against Queens Park Rangers. But tremendous credit to the boys, the second half we got back into the game playing football the way we have become accustomed to over the past weeks and months.

I was really pleased to see David Nugent get his first goal for the club. We have seen in training and in reserve games what a talent he is for someone so young and I warned the press that Nugent would get his chance eventually and that he would probably take it. He took his chance like all poachers should and it got us back into the game at a crucial time.

The most pleasing aspect of the past two games has been the spirit and resilience that the boys have shown in coming from a goal behind in both games. Obviously I would prefer that we didn’t concede early goals but the attitude from our players has been exemplary and on each occasion they have had to show a willingness to fight to get back into the game.

With so many teams battling for position as the season draws to an end I expect to see more and more teams scrapping for everything on the pitch and it is important that our mental attitude is spot on going into an important period for this football club.

The one final bonus to come from last week was the return to action of Paul McKenna. The initial analysis on Kenna’s broken hand was that he would be out of action for at least three weeks so I have to say how pleased I was that Paul reported for duty and made himself available so early. I have already emphasised how important Paul is to the PNE side and I think he showed that when he came on last week.

This evening we are playing host to an Ipswich Town side who rightly sit at the top of the Championship table.

Joe Royle’s team have probably been one of our toughest opponents this season and they gave us little change when we travelled down to Portman Road earlier this season.

Joe has got his side playing football the way he likes it and more importantly he has got them doing it on a consistent basis.

He has a got a team who work very hard for each other and in Darren Bent and Shefki Kuqi he has a strikeforce the envy of many a manager outside of the Premiership.

Joe has managed to strengthen the side well over the past couple of years and brought in some good players, and I know that he has got an eye for a good player as I am led to believe that he once tried to sign me when I was a player at Rangers!

Tonight’s match will be played live in front of a national audience for the Sky TV cameras and not only is this an excellent chance for the Preston North End players to show what they can do but it is also a great chance for the fans to show how proud they are of this famous football club.

We took an impressive support down to Loftus Road last week and I am sure that The Gentry and the rest of the boys will be on form tonight to cheer the lads on.

Be loud, be proud and enjoy the game.