Ahead of tonight’s cup replay, we had a chat with our gaffer…
He spoke to us about Saturday’s comeback, the importance of squad depth, and more…
Here’s what he had to say over the following subjects:
on the current mood behind-the-scenes:
It’s good. You’re only as good as your last moments, and our final moments were positive.
on the positives during Saturday’s game:
I thought we managed the game well at the start, and were unlucky not to be ahead. We did peter out afterwards, and ultimately got punished, but that’s football; the game fluctuates.
I was very pleased with the resilience we showed in the second half, though. Now, we just have to make sure it’s not in vain, and that we make the most of this second chance we’ve been given tonight.
on how we produced our second-half comeback:
I felt we had the ball for large portions of the game, and, when that happens, you start to wear the opposition down, which is why it’s important to remain patient. We kept calm, and our few tweaks in the second half helped us attack with a little more intent. The fresh legs certainly helped us.
on why Ezio Touray is such a super-sub:
I think it’s his attitude and mentality. He’s full of energy and a great character. Some games suit him when they’ve started to open up a little. He also did well with the more mature parts of the game, which we have been challenging him on. I was really pleased with him.
When he gets his chance, he needs to try and take it. This applies to all of the players, especially with players starting to come back. That’s a nice challenge for the squad to have.
on the importance of squad depth:
We’ll definitely need it. We’ve been far too stretched this season already. Not only do we need the competition for places, the game is more intense, now, with the use of five possible substitutions. It’s a lot better to have more competition within the squad, and to freshen up the group, too. With tonight’s game, and our trip to Enfield, we have to make sure we can shuffle the pack.
on showing a never-say-die attitude in games:
You need to show that in all matches. It’s all about the mentality; that’s the most important thing, and it’s what we’ve been developing during our tough times this season. It’s crucial to show that you can react well to setbacks. We got tested again on Saturday, but the boys rallied, and that’s what I was so pleased about.
on the importance of our fans:
Our fans have been fantastic lately. They can see some of the issues we have been facing, and they see a group that is fighting and grafting. The first half was frustrating, and some were vocal in those frustrations. But, sometimes we have to accept the criticism and take it on the chin. On the other hand, those who sang their hearts out really pushed us on. The cheers and the support certainly helped us, that’s for sure.
I’m thankful for the fans who stand by us, and I’m also grateful for the ones who let us know, too. Sometimes we need a kick up the bum!
