Head coach Uwe Rosler has spoken to the media following Saturday’s Sky Bet League One fixture with Rochdale.
Rosler covered all the key areas, with the following being the highlight quotes.
On the Yeovil result…
“It was good for us to get back late Tuesday night – early Wednesday so we could have Wednesday off. It was obviously very disappointing in the last minute to concede a goal which cost us progression in that competition. Since yesterday we are on track again, and we are ready and prepared for Rochdale.”
On reaching the 100 game milestone on Tuesday night…
“100 competitive games for the club is decent, but we coaches always live in the moment and in the future – I was just occupied by the game and the outcome of the game.”
On Rochdale’s pitch…
“I think for us it is very much important for us to focus on what we can control. We cannot control anything what is going on with Rochdale, including their facilities – that is in the hands of their club and the referee. We are expecting that the game is on, and we are expecting a competitive team to play against and expecting that we are competitive. It is an important game.”
On the task of playing Rochdale…
“Keith Hill’s teams are always energetic, they play on the front foot. I think they have had two good results – one in the cup and one against Northampton – they will start the game with 100% energy, power, determination and desire, and we need to be ready for that aggression. We need to counter that with our way of football. I think the game will be decided in the heads, and physically we are more than ready, it’s just how we cope with that stress factor which they will try to put on us.
On recent results and small margins within those matches…
“We should have [in the league] three points more, it’s as simple as that. Three draws in each game [Blackburn, Gillingham and Scunthorpe], we earned a draw. The reality is what we have to face, and when you face that and not live in denial, that’s the best way to push on again – and that’s what I tell the players. We have to respect and reflect on the reality, but then go from there.
On being confident a positive result is just around the corner…
“Yes of course. We have a good, talented group of players but they need to learn to reward themselves. Staying in games is one thing – and we’re doing that – scoring goals is much better now, but we need to find those margins to turn draws into wins, and defeats into draws.”
On team news…
“I focus on the players available to me. Football is not only a game of best possible players you can put on the pitch, it’s a squad game. You always have suspensions, injuries and it’s up to our squad to cope with that and players will then need to take their chance once it’s given to them.”