Antony Sweeney looks ahead to the Plymouth game
Midfielder Antony Sweeney spoke to us about the generosity of Newcastle United as we used their training facilities ahead of the Plymouth game."This is a great facility," he told us. "It isn't even their first team training base but it's a really nice set up and it's allowing us to get stuck into some really good training.
"It's been a very strange Christmas without a game. We usually have packed schedules with games and training, but we haven't had either really with the weather.
"We've had a mini-break but we just need to make sure we keep doing the things that were bringing us success before this period. We've got the players because the results have shown that. It's a case of keeping the momentum going now."
"The break has been good in that Dolly had a couple of lads in, so it's given them a chance to let their injuries settle down," he said. "I'm sure we'll have a stronger squad as we go into the next run of games.
"It's crazy to have two games called off and for us to stay in the play-off places despite that. We're still in there and we've got a good opportunity to pick up points with the games in hand, so that's a massive bonus."
On his own form, he said: "I was a bit self-critical after the Welling game but I think I've picked my game up a little bit since then. The results help a lot because if we'd been beaten I don't think I'd have been as happy."
"We're all looking forward to getting back onto the pitch," he admitted. "I'm sure it will be a good game against the side at the top of the league and it's one we go into with a lot of confidence.
"I've been told if I play a part against Plymouth it will be my 50th appearance for the club which is good little landmark. I think I'm closing in on 500 career appearances as well, so it would be nice to get there this season."
"We've got an important period coming up," he said. "The league table is all well and good before Christmas but it really starts to take shape now. This is when you know whether or not you're going to be in the hunt. We're up there at the moment and we want to stay there.
"Plymouth are a strong, physical side. They don't tend to win too many games by a big margin, although they did that in our league game. That was a lot to do with our first half performance rather than theirs.
"They're top of the league for a reason so we'll respect them, but we don't fear anyone in this league."
"We're all looking forward to getting back onto the pitch," he admitted. "I'm sure it will be a good game against the side at the top of the league and it's one we go into with a lot of confidence.
"I've been told if I play a part against Plymouth it will be my 50th appearance for the club which is good little landmark. I think I'm closing in on 500 career appearances as well, so it would be nice to get there this season."
"We've got an important period coming up," he said. "The league table is all well and good before Christmas but it really starts to take shape now. This is when you know whether or not you're going to be in the hunt. We're up there at the moment and we want to stay there.
"Plymouth are a strong, physical side. They don't tend to win too many games by a big margin, although they did that in our league game. That was a lot to do with our first half performance rather than theirs.
"They're top of the league for a reason so we'll respect them, but we don't fear anyone in this league."
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