Robbo ready for the race

PNE have eight games to catch-up with and overtake the three sides above them in order to land a top-six place.

The first of those games comes on Saturday against Nottingham Forest at home.

Robinson, scorer of nine goals this season, is looking forward to playing his part in what could be an exciting final run-in.

“This is a vital spell for us and the challenge is a big one,” Robinson told the Post.

“It is good to be doing the chasing rather than being chased and the aim is to get as many wins as possible and see where that takes us.

“Hopefully as the games go by, we can stay in and around the play-off positions.

“We will be ready for the run-in, we’ve trained well and had a few days’ rest during the international break.

“Training at this stage of the season is mainly tactical stuff and having a look at how the opposition play.

“You are not going to get any fitter now, you just keep yourself right and look at how best to try and get three points.”

North End have a mixed bag of opponents between now and May 7, in terms of their position in the table.

Forest and next Tuesday’s visitors Bristol City are just outside the relegation zone.

There then comes a run of games against clubs involved in the promotion and play-off race – Leeds, Huddersfield, Norwich and Newcastle.

Doomed Rotherham come to Deepdale on April 29, before PNE finish-off at 16th place Wolves. Said Robinson: “Every game will have something on it, whether it be at the top or bottom of the division.

“It doesn’t matter who we play, the points are precious. Forest are fighting to stay out of the bottom three, they are a huge club and you could say they have underachieved this season.

“They have changed their manager recently which might give them a shake-up.

“In terms of what we might need to get in the play-offs, I’m not sat there doing the maths.

“We will do it one game at a time, try and get three points and move to the next one.”

Robinson has enjoyed his first season as a fully-fledged Preston player after his three spells on loan.

He has made 32 starts and eight appearances from the bench, many of those being as a striker.

“Before I signed last year, I had a chat with the gaffer and he said he could see plenty of potential in me playing up front,” said Robinson.

“I’ve enjoyed playing as a striker and scoring a few goals.

“I like playing anywhere across the front, whether it is down the middle or out on the wing supplying others.”