Manager Keith Curle spoke to us about the weekend visit of Coventry City as he looks for his team to continue their good run of form as the 2017 fixture calendar draws to a close.
“Our focus has been completely on this game from the moment the final whistle blew on Boxing Day,” he said. “That’s the way we work because we think it’s the right way.
“We used the opportunity when we were at Forest Green to travel up and watch the Friday night game between Coventry and Wycombe. That gave us a chance to watch them first hand and we know they’ll be a challenge.
“I thought they got sucked in to the Wycombe style of play, but they had enough in their team to win on the day. They have some very good players and they like to get on the ball, but we aren’t scared of that.
“They’re a team who can mix it. If you want to play football, they will, and if you want to go toe-to-toe, they’ll come at you. That’s why I think it will be a good, competitive game.”
Having had three victories with an unchanged starting line up for the last three games, he told us: “People will say that we should keep things the same, because of the run we’re on, but that isn’t a foregone conclusion.
“As for every game, I’ll put out the best team which I think will get us success. There are no guarantees, and that comes down to the belief I have in myself. If I think I can make a decision which is for the betterment of the team, to get a better end result, then I’m brave enough to make it.”
“We don’t fear anybody,” he insisted. “Every team we play has different challenges and we respect them. They’ve all got characteristics within them and strengths and weaknesses. Coventry are no different.
“Our preparation and mentality doesn’t change. Things that need to be touched on after the weekend performance will be looked at, and then it’s about the game plan we need to win the game.
“The run we’ve been on has been important for the changing room. They’ve been working very hard and they’re a good group. I’m putting demands on them, but they accept that because they know we want them to be better in everything they do.”
And on short-term absentee Luke Joyce, he commented: “We were told two weeks that he would be out for approximately this length of time so it’s now a case of waiting to see how he reacts to his rehab.
“It’s possible that he’ll have a chance for Coventry, but we’ll take the advice of the medical staff. What we don’t do is force players back early because it can then become a case where you lose him for another four or five weeks.”
Get your tickets for the Coventry game online HERE.
