Manager previews this weekend's game against Chesterfield
Manager Graham Alexander spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash against Paul Cook’s Chesterfield at Highbury.Alexander was quite rightly in positive mood after seeing his side win all three of their opening games against Crewe Alexandra, Notts County and Scunthorpe United respectively.
A 2-0 victory at Glanford Park on Tuesday night courtesy of goals from Jamie Proctor and Gareth Evans has raised spirits even further amongst the players, with the Spireites the visitors to the Fylde Coast this weekend.
Looking forward to the game, Alexander said: “Recent results have been the culmination of performances. The levels of performances have been excellent, and that’s something we need to try and maintain. It’s a long season and we’re not going to get carried away after only three games.”
Jamie Proctor has been the goal hero for Town in recent games, scoring in all three of the Club’s league matches so far, and Alexander is delighted with the way he’s settled in.
“We knew of Jamie’s qualities and that’s why we brought him to the Club. He can score goals, lead the line and he’s done that. In his first game he came on at half time and had a point to prove, but I believe everyone’s got a point to prove all the time. I like players to have that mentality going into games and going into their work.”
He added: “Football’s a competitive game and you have to keep your standards up, and Proc’s done well, so too Bally who’s general play as been fantastic. There’s been a lot of good individual performances which have all added to the team performance, and that’s what counts.”
Asked whether he intends on strengthening his squad before the close of the transfer window in a couple of weeks, the manager responded by saying: "When you’ve got a good squad with some good quality players, it’s hard to find players who can improve you even further. The squad we’ve got now is in a good state and are good enough to compete at this level.”
“We have a few injuries, but we don’t like to go on about them. Whether we’re winning or losing, our main concern is the players who are fit and getting them as best prepared for games as we can.”
The Spireites, like Scunthorpe on Tuesday night, are a team familiar to Alexander having played each other four times last season.
“Chesterfield are a good team and they deservedly won League Two last year. I thought they were the best team consistently over the course of the season, and we know their qualities.”
“I think all four sides that came up from League Two last season are all good teams and can compete at this level. There’s been contrasting starts between the four of us, but we’re only three games into the season and I’m not going to look too much into that.”
“My main concern is Fleetwood, though, and I don’t look at any other team’s results very closely because we’ve got enough on our plate. If we get our performance levels right then we’re more than a match for any other team.
“We’ve had three away trips on the trot, so it’ll be nice to get back to Highbury on Saturday. The pitch will be great and the atmosphere will be fantastic, so if we can performing the way we have done then I think even more people will turn up at Highbury this season.”
Tickets are still on sale for this weekend's game. Please call 01253 775080 for further information.