LEE CLARK says Town’s top team effort off the pitch is producing results on it.
The Galpharm side head into Saturday’s eagerly-awaited Roses derby at home to Preston aiming to stay in League I’s top two.
And Clark, who will check out Preston when they take on Sheffield United at Deepdale tonight, has hailed the help of his management team as Town aim to clinch a fourth straight league win and make it 39 matches unbeaten.
Clark, of course, has Terry McDermott as his assistant and Paul Stephenson as first-team coach.
Steve Watson (development), John Vaughan (goalkeeping) and Tom Little (performance) are also key members of the coaching panel.
“We have tried to create a culture of doing things properly ever since I came here,” explained Clark, appointed in December 2008.
“We have set standards on and off the pitch. It’s about how we behave and how we work, and there is a lot of thought and planning behind it.
“Some days we will only train for half an hour, but it will be at match tempo.
“On other days it will be longer but angled differently. The backroom staff are all working hard and putting the hours in, and we are always analysing and looking at ways we can get an edge on our opponents.
“And if we do come up with ideas, and if there’s a financial factor, I get fantastic backing from the board.
“Everyone is pushing in the same direction from the chairman down, and that’s important.”
Sixth-placed Preston are monitoring injuries to first-choice strike pairing Iain Hume (hamstring) and Neil Mellor (ankle).
Former Stockport player Jamie Proctor and German youngster Juvhel Tsoumou could be thrust into the spotlight against Sheffield United.
