Sean St. Ledger turns 24 on Sunday and the current player of the year is looking to celebrate in style, ending 2008 in the Play-Offs, by making it since points out of six in the festive period with three points at Barnsley.
North End's No.12 spoke to PNE.com ahead of the trip to Oakwell and said that the the Boxing Day win over Derby could have easily gone the other way: "It probably wasn't the best of performances, but we got the three points and that's all that matters.
"They would probably say that overall they deserved something out of the game and I would probably agree with that. Some of the referee's decisions didn't go for them, but we can say the same thing, but we're just relieved to get the three points which will keep our confidence high going to Barnsley on Sunday.
"The manager stressed that he wasn't happy! We build our structure on working hard and in the first half Derby worked really hard, tested us and put a lot of crosses in, but in the second half we had more clear cut chances. But we have to work hard; that's what we base our game on."
Ledge grabbed the opener, sweeping home the 30th minute free kick through Stephen Bywater but the Birmingham-born man admitted that he had to take a second look to check whether it had sneaked over the line.
"I had a look and then it crawled over the line, but I'll take them! I'm not sure what part of my leg it came off, but that's three for the season and I'll take that and hopefully build on it."
Looking ahead to Sunday's trip to South Yorkshire the former Peterborough man knows it will be a difficult game with Simon Davey's men having just picked up a superb result at Turf Moor on Boxing Day.
"It's another tough game. When they came here they were a really good team and going to Burnley and winning, who are flying high, means it is going to be hard. Our away form has not been great and this is something we have to improve on.
"We go into the game fresh. We got a lucky goal in the reverse fixture at Deepdale, with my deflected goal, so they'll be looking to try and get one over on us.
"It's about recovery now. You have to try and do the best you possibly can to feel as good as you can. To do two 90 minutes like this is tough, but everyone at the football club is very professional. We will prepare as normal and recovering well.
"If we can get a result, in a tough game, it should leave us near the Play-Offs and that would be a great start to 2009 and if we start well, this could be the year that we do it!"
If you want to finish your 2008 in style you can pay on the day at Oakwell. A bumper North End following is expected, so why not join the throngs travelling over from Lancashire and invade South Yorkshire. Tickets will be on sale on the turnstile for just £19 for adults, £11 for over 60s and under 17s, and £5 for under 11s when accompanied by an adult or a senior.
