THE next six-and-a-half weeks are massive for the club and many players.

With seven games remaining, the battle to avoid the drop to League 1 is still far too close to call, and any two of nine teams could find themselves relegated at the end of the season.

Of course, under Stan Ternent, we have given ourselves a real chance of being one of the seven who live to fight another Championship campaign, but we can't afford to rest on our laurels and undo all the hard work we've put in over the past few months.

And, with 12 players out of contract at the end of the season, a large portion of the squad are also playing for their futures at the club.

Mama Sidibe has already been offered a new deal, but the others remain in limbo.

Chairman Paul Scally has also, worryingly, said that the playing squad may be trimmed to just 20 or 21 players next season. With the transfer window set to be introduced for us next season, that makes absolutely no sense to me.

If we get struck down with another injury crisis like those we've had to put up with in the last couple of years, we could find ourselves up the creek without a paddle.

We begin the final sprint of the season with a game against Preston on Saturday. We've had some great results against North End over the past few years, but I would go as far as to say that Saturday's trip north is our toughest of our run-in.

Their home form is very good, and under Billy Davies they are a completely different side from the one we beat back in August.

Stan has warned that there will be some setbacks on the way, and I think he would have had one eye on this game when he said that, and with ex-Gill Patrick Agyemang thrown into the equation, it promises to be a tricky afternoon.

We then make the much shorter journey to West London on Tuesday night, where QPR will provide another tough test.

We, the fans, have an important role to play. Our support can only be good for the lads, and hopefully we'll be rewarded with some precious points.

If you're not making the long trip to Deepdale, you can keep up to date with all the action on kmfm 'Sportswatch' this Saturday from 2pm, with regular live updates with Simon Watts.

Frequencies:

100.4 and 107.9 FM in Medway;
96.2 and 101.6 FM in West Kent;
106 FM in Canterbury;
107.2 FM in Thanet;
106.8 FM in Shepway and Whitecliffs Country;
and on Kent Online.

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