THREE wins and we are on our way - that is the message Craig Brown has sent out following two disappointing defeats in the space of a week.

Although one win in three games roughly matches North End's form all season - draw after draw after draw - Brown has been left disappointed by the 4-0 and 1-2 scorelines against Wolves and Norwich respectively.

He is the first to admit the scorelines don't reflect the performances on the pitch - North End had some 18 shots at goal on Saturday and scored one, while Norwich had two and scored two - he is refusing to allow anyone to blame luck.

He said: "You can always says luck had a hand but we can't hide behind that.

The goals have got to start coming and I can't fault the lads for the effort or performances they have put in.

"We just need to start taking our chances.

" He added: "There is a good team spirit in the dressing room and we just need to put the last games behind us and look at how we did against Derby.

We didn't play as well there but we took our chances.

"Three wins in this league and there is a massive transformation.

We are capable of that and I think we can do it.

"All I can say about the weekend is that the better team lost the game, but that's small consolation when there's three points at stake.

"Of course, North End haven't been helped by referees this season.

On Saturday, they once again missed out on several seemingly obvious penalty shouts.

But all Brown would say was: "The lads are feeling a bit aggrieved, but I can't comment on the refereeing decision, that's for the press, not me.

"This weekend sees North End on the road once again, this time to Bradford, a team who, like North End, have suffered mixed fortunes.

But now the game after that, at home to Leicester a week on Saturday, is in doubt because of potential international call-ups.

Several North End stars could get called up before the end of the week for the next round of games.

Brown has also sent the clearest signal yet to his Division One rivals that several of the stalwarts which made David Moyes' North End side so good can go if sensible offers are received.

Iain Anderson, Michael Jackson, Mark Rankine and Lee Cartwright have all had difficulty breaking into Brown's constantly-changing side.

Brown said: "Let me make it very clear, I want all of them to stay here and play for us.

"But I don't want them to be unhappy.

"If they can find another team then we will talk.

We need them at Preston but I want a happy dressing room.

"Anderson, Rankine and Jackson were all in the team for Tuesday's Worthington Cup match at Macclesfield.

Cartwright wasn't after he went over on his ankle.

His injury could rule him out for several weeks.