Welcome back to Portman Road for tonight's crucial home game against Cardiff. Following a disappointing performance at Colchester on Saturday, winning our last three home games may well prove essential if we are to claim a Play-Off place this season.

With our next away game at Wolves we need six points from tonight's game, and if we ever needed any further motivation, from Sunday's game at home to Norwich.

As far as the derby is concerned it looks as though we are heading for a sell out with 27,000 tickets already sold. Season ticket sales for next year are going well too, and with the Early Bird deadline looming, we are already up on sales versus this time last year.
The Ticket Office will be open before and after the game on Sunday, and we will be accepting last minute season ticket applications on the day.

Video age
The debate regarding goalline technology has hit the media in recent weeks and as most of you know we as a Club support the idea along with the introduction on a trial basis of both sin bins and blood substitutions.
Those of you who were here for the Queens Park Rangers game will have witnessed a perfect situation where goalline technology would have proved critical. It was clear to see on television that not only had the ball crossed the line but that the Rangers' player clearly handled the ball too. Hopefully those two points lost will not prove critical come the end of the season.

Sir Bobby honoured
Many of you will have read in the local media that the Club has decided to rename our most prestigious conference and banqueting suite from the Galleria to the Sir Bobby Robson Suite. Sir Bobby has kindly agreed to this and will be attending the official renaming ceremony on 5 May, following the last game of the season. I know that he is very honoured to have not only the statue in Portman Road, but now the conferencing suite named after him.

Respect for all supporters
Whilst not surprisingly there will only be a limited number of Cardiff City supporters here this evening, the Police will be closing Portman Road for a short period to pedestrians after the game to allow those supporters to exit the ground back to their coaches safely.
There will also be restrictions in place for Sunday's game. Whilst emotions and passions will be running high, we would ask all supporters to behave appropriately and with respect for away fans. Unfortunately, we have had one or two incidents this season, notably after the Watford game, where visiting supporters were attacked. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and those who were guilty are facing criminal charges and lifetime bans from Portman Road.

Finally, let me welcome the players, management and supporters of Cardiff City here tonight. Can I also congratulate them on reaching the FA Cup Final following Sunday's Semi-Final victory over Barnsley.

Whilst the gap between the Premiership and Championship widens financially, it was encouraging to see three Championship sides in the Semi-Finals this year. I hope you all enjoy the game.

Best wishes

Derek Bowden