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Club News

Gaffer at the Weekend

18 August 2019

Club News

Gaffer at the Weekend

18 August 2019

Manager Steve Evans takes time out to answer a few questions.

Q: No game for us this weekend due to the Bury fixture having been suspended. Did that give you chance to have a look at upcoming opposition?

A: When you're inside football there never really is a day off as a Manager. My senior staff and I all watched games in League 1.

What I have observed or been told is that our next two opponents, Blackpool and Coventry City, have recruited top players. For me they will both be inside the top 6 and each have the potential to be even higher.

Q: A behind closed doors game took place on Thursday at Peterborough as a result. Did you get what you were looking for from that match?

A: We used the game mainly for our young U23's versus Posh who had a number of experienced lads on show but at the same time three or four of our senior squad got good minutes into their legs. It was a competitive game on a beautiful pitch at the opposition's training centre. Some of our senior lads did play, Mark Marshall and Mikael Mandron will have benefited greatly.

Q: Blackpool at home this Tuesday. They've had a terrific start under Simon Grayson. What will be required more than anything to get a result against them?

A: As I said earlier Blackpool will challenge for promotion. A good and experienced Manager in Simon Grayson, a new owner who seems to be investing very heavily in putting such a squad together but those very long suffering Blackpool fans deserve that at the very least.

To get a positive result we will need to work so hard and produce a top quality performance, be organised, efficient and take chances when they come along. The lads here are very capable and I have no doubt this week, given the quality of opposition we will face, that will tell us all exactly where we are.

Q: Will Matty Willock be back in the mix or is Coventry/Bolton more realistic?

A: Matty is now making rapid progress and all going to plan he will be back in the group this week.

This kid has everything in his locker but let's get him on the training ground with the lads and see exactly where he is in terms of sharpness. He is now a very fit lad, so that is a plus.

Q: Any other transfer business?

A: We are really working hard to strengthen the group, in summary to create a more rounded squad.

In reality we have 18 players in our first team squad and this includes a couple of youth team lads so it's clear we need to add to the dressing room. However we cannot sign players for the sake of it, that cannot, and will not happen.

We must always balance the finances as best we can but our Chairman has been superb in encouraging me to bring some new players in, but he now knows I will only do it if we are adding players who will help us.

Finally we are going to need our supporters on Tuesday. You might be looking at opposition who will win promotion but with our twelfth man in the seats that, for me, helps us have a little more than most.


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