Preston North End central defender Ben Davies is looking forward to a month with three home games out of four fixtures as March gets underway with the visit of Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.
The Lilywhites’ No.6 admits it was a tough run of away games prior to Saturday’s encounter, but is pleased to enter the last ten games with a Play-Off place in their own hands.
“We are looking forward to getting back home, in front of our own fans, after two difficult away games,” Ben told iFollow PNE.
“There are not many games left, so every game now gets more and more important and the next one is always the most important, so we are looking forward to Queens Park Rangers now.
“Although we had a tough week, last week, we haven’t actually lost any ground between us and the teams below us, so hopefully now that we have had that spell, we can hopefully get a win on Saturday and pick back up again.
“This is what you work all year for. You work hard through the winter months to build up to put yourself in a good position going into the last couple of months of the season and we are in a position we are happy with.
“But it is a long way to go, it is the business end of the season and we have to do what is needed now.”
The Barrow-born man has had experience of pushing for and achieving a Play-Off spot with two of his former loan clubs and hopes that can assist in the coming week.
“I have been in the League Two Play-Offs and the League One Play-Offs, so they are good experiences to have,” he continued.
“You need a drive and a focus, but you can’t look at the bigger picture, you have to take each game as it comes.
“We are more than capable; we have been up there all season and I feel like we can definitely maintain the push.”
The challenge this weekend will be to keep former team-mate Jordan Hugill quiet, one is well aware is a tough task: “I am sure Jordan will be looking forward to it. He is a good player and we know what he is good at, but that it one thing, it is another stopping it.
“It will be good to see him and good to play against him and a good test, but hopefully one we can come out on top with.
“When we played them [at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium], they were right up there in the league and although they dipped off, they have picked back up recently and put a few good results together.
“No game in this league is easy; we took a defeat when we went down there and we will be looking to put that right.”
And with the real crux of the campaign now upon us, Ben is pleased to have had a week to prepare for the game and is looking to get some momentum.
“When the games are stacked together it is good to have a week where you get a couple of extra days to recover and get some training in. It is good to have a clear week, so we are refreshed and ready for this game.
“It is good to have three out of four games at home [in March]. Our form has been decent and hopefully we can get back in front of our own fans and put a few good results together and really cement a good position going into the last month,” he added.