Manager Simon Grayson is looking to secure a place in the top ten of the Championship over the final four games.
North End currently sit in tenth place and the gaffer wants to at least maintain that position going into the final run in.
It's a trip to Birmingham City for PNE on Tuesday night, and the Lilywhites could leap frog Gary Rowett's side who are just two points ahead of North End in ninth place.
Speaking ahead of the trip to St Andrew's, manager Simon Grayson told PNE PlayerHD he will be looking for a reaction from his players after a disappointing second half on Saturday against MK Dons.
"It's very far and few between that we've ever had to have a few choice words with the players, but when you think the standards have slipped below the level you've set then it's your job to make the players aware of that situation.
"We want the season to carry on, yes it's never easy, and it's the same with other teams in and around us, but then you've got to do something in the next game to react to that.
"We were just disappointed with certain individuals on Saturday given what was still at stake and how we could have won a game and nearly secured a top ten place which is what we are striving for.
"We are positive about what the players have done so far and we will go again on Tuesday trying to get another three points and climb up the table if we can.
"We go to Birmingham looking to get that second half performance out of our system and then carry on with the remaining games after that.
"It's never easy psychologically, but you've still got a duty to go out and perform and do the best that you can.
"I don't mind players misplacing passes etc. it's when they don't stay with runners and they don't compete in headers, they don't win tackles. They are just a given that you want in any game, rather than the creativity of the team.
"We know what to expect from Birmingham, and we want to go into the next four games and making sure that we win as many as possible. We will try and get Saturday's second half performance out of our systems and then we can look forward to another big game on Friday."
To hear more from the manager go to PNE PlayerHD now by clicking on the video below.