We caught up with the manager ahead of the weekend:
We've another big game on Saturday, but they are all big for us now. As long as we can keep winning, and add points on to the total every game, then it will make every game that much more important for us. We really have to put recent results away and make sure that we concentrate on Brighton, because that is the next one that we can do something about. They are only 3 points of the play off spots themselves, and they are a side in good form. We must give them every respect, the same respect as for everyone else, and I'm sure that will happen.
They have some very good players, with Glenn Murray coming back to his old club, so that makes it interesting for him. He'll want to do well, and he and Forster have a good partnership at the top end of their team, so they certainly have got a threat. I have no doubt that they have their eye on a top six spot, so we must play well on Saturday to get the result. We'll need the help and support from our supporters, as they did against Doncaster, and I'm sure they'll be up for it. They were terrific with us in that last home game, and we'd like the same again.
We're alright for players at the moment, so I haven't been looking at bringing players in. I'll wait and see what comes along, and wait to see if we need some help and some support in the group. At the moment I'm happy with the squad, even though we've had a couple of injuries. Any more like that would make me think again, I will admit, but we're doing alright at the moment.
We always knew we wouldn't have Scott available for the Forest games, but the big blow was losing Joe Garner. Having two key strikers out of contention was tough for us, but we responded well. We've done some match analysis since then, and we've been happy with the overall performance of the team. We need to keep producing that level of play and maintain that energy level, which isn't easy, but we've coped without key people, which is encouraging.
We also have Danny Carlton waiting in the wings, of course. He's pretty well had a shirt for most games since I've been here, if not every game, and he's ready when called upon. His attitude is terrific. He's just come out of Non-League for this season and he's learning all the time, and he's getting better with his football. We've got a good player there who, I believe, will develop in to an even better one.
It was nice to be able to give Gary Madine his chance. It was good for me, as the manager, to be able to offer that to a young player. Mind you, it will only happen if they deserve it. He has performed well, but whether or not he gets other opportunities, we'll have to wait and see. I'm sure that it's whetted his appetite for some more. He'll remember that, a live TV game and, a 28000 crowd, so it's good for him. What he has to do now is get his first start and make his full debut, so that is something he still has to aim for.
We have Brighton next, but once that's done it's straight in to the Luton game. That's the way it is for the rest of the season. I think most clubs have loads of games coming up now. We've got to stay the course, we've got to be fortunate with injuries and we have to maintain our form. If we can do that then we'll still be challenging, and that's what I've got to insist on from the players. If we get the breaks and the bit of luck, then we won't mind the games coming thick and fast.
We've sent Neale McDermott out on trial. We are allowed to do that as long as we send him with a letter of consent, which we've given him. He can play a maximum of two games, as long as it isn't in a first team situation. Hartlepool have offered him some training and a couple of games at Reserve team level, and we've agreed to that because I've already told him that I won't be renewing his contract in the summer. Hopefully we can help him to find another club so that he can carry on with his career elsewhere.
