BILLY Davies is trying to claim that Shefki Kuqi's goal (which involved an alleged handball) was the turning point of Saturday's match. Which game were you watching, Billy?Did you miss, perchance, the shot that Ian Westlake had cleared off the line (or, as it turned out, from over the line) or the Kuqi effort which rolled towards an open goal and clipped a post?I'm sure the moments before half-time must have seemed very unfair to Preston and their fans, as a potential stalemate evaporated, and the game was all but sewn up, but to us it felt more like justice.

BILLY Davies is trying to claim that Shefki Kuqi's goal (which involved an alleged handball) was the turning point of Saturday's match. Which game were you watching, Billy?

Did you miss, perchance, the shot that Ian Westlake had cleared off the line (or, as it turned out, from over the line) or the Kuqi effort which rolled towards an open goal and clipped a post?

I'm sure the moments before half-time must have seemed very unfair to Preston and their fans, as a potential stalemate evaporated, and the game was all but sewn up, but to us it felt more like justice. Oh, and it was funny too.

For Joe Royle, the whole afternoon must have left him with a wry smile. In the week when a furore has kicked up over the performance of the Town defence, we kept only our second clean sheet of the season.

But reflecting on yet another home win (don't those stats look good now?) it strikes me that it shouldn't be a time for “told you so” moments, or feelings of vindication. Call me an old romantic, but I'd like to see the club go forward together.

The feeling that this team can take Ipswich back to where we all feel the club belongs is hard to fight when you see the way we attacked on Saturday, and all this is happening in the face of doubts over the size of the squad.

Supporters will have their reservations, fine, but when we're second going into November, and unbeaten at home, it's a time for unity.

Our favourite opponents head to Suffolk tomorrow (when I say favourite, I mean we haven't lost to them for about a decade) and it's set up to be a cracker.

As it turns out, I'll be in the Nou Camp watching Barcelona play AC Milan, but it's a sign of the quality of our football that I'd almost rather be at Portman Road. Kuqi or Ronaldinho? It is a contest at the moment.

There were times on Saturday when I kept having to repeat (in my head) the mantra “we don't need to sell, we don't need to sell” as Westlake - looking back to his best - and Darren Bent cut Preston to ribbons.

I pay great attention to the Town players' warm-up, it's an excellent pointer to who is heading for a great game, and who might be on course for a stinker.

On Saturday Dean Bowditch, Pablo Counago, Westlake and Kuqi were taking it in turns to curl, slam or rifle the ball past poor old Shane Supple. It was great to watch as they laughed and tried out their party tricks in the afternoon sun, but Darren Bent was noticeable by his absence.

I'm sure there was a practical reason, but when his second-half shot found the top corner, I wondered aloud if he just didn't need to practice anymore.

What a finish.

But as good as that goal was, Kuqi was the star of the forward line, even when we had four strikers on the pitch. There has been a transformation in the big Finn this season, his touch has improved, he is finding the net regularly, and his non-stop harassing of defenders is a joy to watch.

Pablo made another fleeting appearance, but didn't find the goal that could have ignited his confidence once again.

He did get one chance with a neat sidestep, but was then floored by a challenge which summed up the word 'cynical'.

I doubt Billy Davies saw it though.

PS: John Peel tribute. Spot on. Well done.