John Welsh and his teammates can't wait to get back to league action this weekend after the international break.
Welsh admits it's important to get the balance right between fitness and rest during these periods, and feels the management team have done that, and the midfielder is looking forward to getting back out on the Deepdale pitch against Cardiff City this weekend.
"Training has been good, before the weekend we worked really hard getting a bit of fitness in, then we had a couple of days break to get the rest that you need at this stage.
"It's all about getting the balance right, you want to stay fit and keep working, but obviously it's a long, tough season, so you need that rest as well.
"You're always playing Saturday, Tuesday, and the games come thick and fast and we wouldn't want it any other way, but when there's a chance to rest the legs a bit, or get up to match fitness, or recover from injury, then these breaks give you chance to do that.
"I think the balance has been spot on from the gaffer and the staff and the lads are raring to go.
"We are into a fresh week now where we have a full week to plan and get ready for the game at the weekend.
""It's been a tough couple of days training, with some good rest in-between and now we just want to get back out at Deepdale and playing games."
Speaking of the influence of the fans, the 31-year-old continued: "It's always great playing there, even looking back at the Wolves game, the backing that we got from the fans with everything that happened was brilliant. The lads always respond to that, the big games and the big atmosphere and when the crowd get behind us I feel we respond to that.
"They've been brilliant so far and I know they are going to be disappointed just as we are at the moment, but just keep believing in us, keep backing us and I guarantee the lads will respond to that. The fans can make a big difference so it's great to have them behind us, as I'm sure they will be again on Saturday."
"We aren't in an ideal position or the position we want to be but there's positives to take from our performances, and we are playing well, but we don't want to just keep saying that, we want to show it with results and I'm sure we will do that."
With a few players carrying knocks going into the break, it has given those players chance to increase their fitness levels ahead of the weekend. Welsh hopes to have some of those players back, to increase the level of competition within the squad, and believes the break has been beneficial for the whole team.
"We have a good squad here and we always want a fit squad to give the gaffer a selection headache going into the games, and so the break has given the lads with little niggles a chance to try and recover from those.
"I'm sure the lads will be fit and raring to go on Saturday and we are looking forward to it.
"It hasn't been great results wise recently but there are a lot of positives looking back on those games, so we need to turn those into results now. There's always room to improve and these breaks give you a chance to work on that.
"You get that extra ten days or so where you have the time to work on those things and you're always trying to improve. It's a new league for us and we are still learning and you're always looking for ways to get better."