Our first home game in 2025 and cup match since our historic win away to rivals Yeovil Town takes place this afternoon against Boreham Wood.
Ahead of the contest, we spoke to our manager this morning, who laid out our clear priorities, the squad’s “mentality” and much more…
On our New-Year’s-Day point:
The players deserve real credit. It’s hard for any team when a new manager comes in, and it’s even harder when you’re fighting to stay in the league. But, they came off the back of three consecutive league losses and picked up points in their next three, with two clean sheets, against three really good teams.
Sure, we need to start winning games soon, but we had to start somewhere and these last three results will be a massive psychological boost. There’s still a long way to go, but I couldn’t be any prouder so far.
On the players’ positive attitude:
I can see the mentality changing. That’s the most important thing. As a manager, you need to give clear messages to your players with what you need to do, but you can’t bore them about it. You have to put a smile on their faces. They’ve known from day one what they need to do, and they’ve done exactly what I’ve expected.
They’re backing each other up and speaking up in the changing rooms, and they’re having a go at each other in a positive way. I love seeing it.
On growth in confidence:
Ask any player, confidence massively boosts form. This club has had a difficult season, but there’s still enough time to turn things around. Rome wasn’t built in a day and, whilst we do need to hit the ground running soon, the mindset is changing. Now, the trick is to make sure that once we’re on the up, we keep on going.
On the importance of hard work:
I strongly believe that if you want to keep the shirt, you have to fight for it. If you show that you can play for the badge and get results, that shirt is yours. You can have bad games, but you’ve got to run for your mates. Listen, I wasn’t the greatest player in the world, but I made sure I worked to help the rest of my team on the pitch. Matches are one team versus another, and that’s what the mindset should always be.
As for the fans, any fan can accept their team losing, it’s part of the game, but if they watch the players go down fighting and trying that’s all they want to see.
On Calvin Brooks:
He’s getting fit. He’s got a little bit of an ankle injury, but he’s been improving and he could be involved this afternoon, fingers crossed. Obviously we have to be careful managing his minutes, but he could be involved today which will help boost his fitness levels.
On squad management:
With the crucial games coming up this month, we’ve got to manage minutes as well as giving as many players as possible a chance. At the moment, everyone is hungry and knocking on the door. Now, we just need to make sure that everyone stays competitive and ready to play over the coming weeks.
On today’s game:
Understandably, our main focus is staying in the league, given where we are in the table, but today is still a massive opportunity to give us a psychological boost. This is a big month, so the whole squad will be needed to step up. Every player needs to be ready to play.
I want to keep the unbeaten run going, but one thing I promise is that we will be competitive and hopefully we’ll get the right result.
On our fans:
They’ve been absolutely outstanding. It’s hard for a team near the bottom, but the players will be able to feed off the energy of the supporters. They pay good money to come and watch us, so we need to put a smile on their faces with a good performance.
