Keith Curle on reaping the rewards of hard work
Manager Keith Curle spoke more about the pride he feels in his squad following their final day heroics which secured the club a place in the end-of-season play-offs.“There’s a belief in what we’re doing now and I don’t think that was there when I first got here,” he said. “It’s there now and we’re all reaping the rewards. Finishing the season on a high, as we are, means we’ve taken another step forward as a football club having come through some tough challenges together.
“I think this club can go on a journey and I want to be part of it. I’m proud of the work that goes on and I have to mention my staff – how they live with me is unbelievable when I think about what I put them through. I spend a lot of time with them and I’m not an easy person to be with at all.
“I strive for perfection because I want the best and I want success for everyone – both at home and in the work place. There was scepticism when I first walked into the building because I didn’t have a record as a manager that would suggest I was going to bring a turnaround here.
“I’ve been successful as a coach and I now need to be successful as a manager. To do that I need a club that believes in me and I value the respect and rapport with the key stakeholders because they allow me to do my job on a daily basis.”
Having taken a few penalties himself through his playing career he also had high praise for the character shown by his team captain as he put two of them in the back of the net.
“I must admit I’d have put both of them on the other side to what he did,” he joked. “A penalty is a nervous situation but Danny is confident in his ability. He strikes them well and that’s the key.
“I have to say, I thought the referee was excellent. He showed good fitness levels and he was able to keep up with play. He kept out of the way and he managed and refereed the game very well.”
With a concern over Jabo Ibehre as he walked from the pitch holding his hamstring the manager expressed genuine hope that all may not have been as it seemed.
“Let me tell you, Jabo is hungry to play,” he said. “He’s in great form and he wants to be doing his bit. We’ll see how he is and I know he can be involved he’ll be doing everything in his power to make it happen.
“With Jason Kennedy, I’m taking medical advice. I’m being told that Jason Kennedy will be another four or five days. When he’s back it will change the dynamics of our squad again.”
On the important period ahead, he told us: “I want to win the next three games. We go into this in good form and the players have belief. Exeter won’t make it easy but they know they’ll get a test from us as well. In situations like this it comes down to the team who do their jobs properly through every minute they’re on the pitch.”
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