It is difficult to believe that it is three weeks since the last time we all gathered at Portman Road to witness Town's long awaited first win of the season.

I think we all accept it was not the finest game of football we have ever played but it was important to secure the victory and the three points for a number of reasons.

Firstly it has released the media pressure valve which was attracting increasing unwanted attention week on week. Secondly, it has provided a much needed confidence boost for everyone in the Club, particularly where niggling doubts may have been creeping in and thirdly and most importantly it rewarded our fans who have been so magnificent this season.

As we entered the last five minutes before the final whistle the Sir Bobby Robson Stand led the remainder of Portman Road in increasing the tempo of support just at the time the team needed it most, only to be invited to do so for a further four minutes which the fourth official (much to the fans' amazement) deemed appropriate for added on time. During this final difficult phase of the game when Derby were looking strong, Town fans played a crucial part in ensuring we secured the victory.

While the Championship table never lies, it is worth recognising that we've not lost in our last five matches and indeed have only lost two games in our last 10. While it important not to be losing matches it's equally important to be winning them if we are to realise our ambitions for this season; today's game against Sheffield Wednesday will be important in this regard.

Over recent weeks Roy and I have attended and answered questions at the Supporters' Club AGM and more recently Jon Walters, Simon Milton and I undertook a similar role at the London Branch AGM. While people are naturally disappointed with our results so far this season the deep rooted passion for the Club shines through on every occasion.

Today we will be marking the Sheffield Wednesday match with the formal cheque presentation to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for all the monies raised through the various initiatives since Sir Bobby died in late July. It is a magnificent effort and I have decided that since it was you, the fans, that donated and brought the merchandise, that the cheque should be presented to Mark Robson, Sir Bobby's son, by representatives of the Supporters' Club.

It is a significant sum and I know that Sir Bobby would have been genuinely touched by the generosity of the Town fans to such a worthy cause.
I take this opportunity of welcoming Sheffield Wednesday's directors, management, players and supporters to Portman Road for today's televised game on Sky. This is the start of an intensive six week period for everyone in football; I am confident that at the end of it we will be in a much better position than we are today.

Enjoy the game.