Interim head coach Simon Wiles sat down with the press on Monday afternoon ahead of his side’s Papa John’s Trophy clash against Hull City at the KCOM Stadium.
Wiles – who took charge of the side earlier on this month – is set for his first game with his new squad as they look to progress to the quarter-finals of the Papa John’s Trophy in Tuesday night’s cup clash.
Here is what Simon had to say:
On the upcoming fixture…
“I feel that this game has come at the right time as I wouldn’t have liked the players to go into the game on Saturday against Portsmouth without any contact so we will be taking the squad with us. The most important thing is that we get through it as it would put us in a good place.
“I’ve only had around two-and-a-half hours with the on the grass over the last couple of days so I think it is important that we try and get minutes out of the squad that we’ve got available.
“We love winning - that’s the reason we are in the game and we are going there to win. For the work that we have done so far on the pitch, we feel we are in a good place so if we can win it, it would put us in a good place heading into the Portsmouth game.
On the new role…
“It’s been amazing to be honest, it’s an opportunity that I am delighted to have. It’s been great over the last couple of days getting to know all of the players and being able to get in and around them in training. I think that’s one of the more important things of me and Steve Macauley stepping into the roles that we get the feel of the place and we are all looking forward to tomorrow’s fixture.
“I’ve been coaching now for ten years and have progressively moved up through the academy system. As a group of staff and players, we feel we’ve done well with the Under 18s so far so for me, it’s a natural progression to keep evolving and keep moving up the coaching ladder.
“I’ve always said that if you get your head down and keep working hard, your work will get recognised and for me, this opportunity has arisen. I’m prepared for it, ready for it and it’s come at a great time for me.
“The club is in a great position, we are doing well in the league and aren’t too far off the play-offs so I think, overall, it is a great time for me to step in, look at the environment and make it the way I like it, and find the best way the players can perform.”