Head coach John Sheridan faced the media ahead of Good Friday’s Sky Bet League One fixture against AFC Wimbledon.
Sheridan’s side are unbeaten in five games after another key victory against Northampton Town last Saturday.
Below are the key points from John’s press conference…
On back-to-back victories…
“I’m very pleased because it’s very important. I said to the players that the two games that were coming up against Rochdale and Northampton were big games, because they’re in and around us and they could gain an advantage.
“Full respect to the players to come out of it with six points and two clean sheets, it’s what we’re after and hopefully it’ll continue.
“I think we’ve deserved to win both games without playing the way I’d like us to play, but I can’t grumble too much with two clean-sheets and two results and four goals scored with no goals against.”
On Friday’s opponents, AFC Wimbledon…
“They are a team in and around us. I know Neal Ardley and his assistant well and it’ll be a very tough game.
“They’re they home side, they’ll be expecting to win the game.
“They’ll know the importance of trying to win the game so I’m expecting a really tough game, but at the same time we’re going there to try and pick three points up and that’s our main objective.”
On the state of play in League One…
“If I look at the nine points we’ve got from five games, two points per game is promotion form so that’s all I look at.
“There’s a long way to go and we’re still off the points we need to try and get safe.
“If we lose a game and results go against you then you’re back in the mix, we’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves and keep thinking we can go and win a game.
“I’m sure all the results won’t go the way other teams want them to go and hopefully we make more of an advantage on the teams below us.”
On squad fitness…
“Everyone’s fit, we’ve got a big squad to take, we’ll be leaving people behind when they’re all fit and available and they all want to be playing.
“I feel as though they all feel they’ve got half a chance of playing and we try and treat everyone the same, whoever comes in needs to be ready.
“The good thing as well is that the subs who are coming on are affecting the game.
“I want everyone on their toes, it’s not just the 11 I pick. We try and treat them right make them feel as though they’re going to be used some way along the line, so they need to feel as though they’re going to be ready.”
On the importance of the players playing with confidence…
“I have got different ideas, I do different things and I just work the way I think is right.
“For the situation we are in, I want the players relaxed, I want them to enjoy their football and go out and be positive and think you are going to win games. That is all I have tried to install in them.
“There’s some good players here but I know what is around the corner if you do not stay focused and you switch off.
“We are unbeaten in five games, but I want us to improve and be better. It is important that I keep on top of them but, at the same time, I want them to enjoy it while they are winning and hopefully they take it into the games and we carry on doing what we are doing.”
On changing the tactics to suit a certain opponent…
“If I have to change the team then I will change the team. We have done well with 3-5-2 and also done well with four at the back.
“I just think I’ve got the players in there who can adjust, and I have got players who, having not been in the team, can just slot in.
“It is important that they all know how I want us to play and want us to do and I think I have got a squad of 20 players who can do that.
“I am not frightened of changing my team and different personnel just because we have won and even because we have kept three clean sheets.
“If I feel as though I have to change the game to give us the best chance of winning, I will do that.”
On the atmosphere at the club after the passing of Ted Lowery…
“I think the good thing is that we won the game. Getting that first home win for a while and then people having a drink together after the game, I think he was probably looking down on us.
“I didn’t really know the man that well but obviously what I’m hearing from people in response and what I have read about him- he was a magnificent fella to have involved in your football club.
“I think people will remember him for the happy times, that is what you have got to think about and I think he will be just be thinking about us getting points and staying in the division.
“People will still think about him and talk about him, which they should do in a good way and hopefully we can carry on winning for him.”