Michael Raynes ahead of the Blackpool game
We spoke to defender and stand-in club captain Michael Raynes ahead of training on Thursday morning to get his thoughts on the importance of the Leyton Orient victory and the impact of the new faces on the dressing room.“It was a good result last week,” he said. “I think we’re four unbeaten now so it’s funny how it changes. One result has made things look a whole lot better. Orient is a tough place to go, they’re fighting for their lives, so to go there and for the new lads to make an impact like they did made it a good weekend all round.
“I don’t think there were too many nerves around but sometimes in football things just don’t go your way - and that was our January. I don’t think we were playing badly, sometimes results just don’t go for you. If you look at the games we played we could and should have won them, but we didn’t.
“That’s what happens in football and you can’t win every game. We’ve got the same mentality as we've had all the way through the season, we don’t get too high or too low, we’ll keep doing our jobs and see what happens.
"A couple of people on the outside seemed to be panicking a bit but we were confident in ourselves. We know we’ve got a good group and we’ll keep doing what we do and see where we are at the end.
"We’ll keep doing it our way and hopefully at the end of the season we’ll have enough to be where we want to be. We’re on the right path and it isn’t all doom and gloom."
On being stand-in club captain while Danny Grainger has been injured, he said: “It’s been lovely to be captain but I can’t wait for Danny to be back.
"The lads are sick to death of my voice because they get sick of it most days anyway. It will be great when Danny is back. We’ve seen him running now so hopefully he isn’t a million miles away ... and when he is back I can stop calling him fat. I’ve been calling him fat for weeks and he hates it!
“There is a lot of pride which comes with being captain. To be captain of a club is a big thing, it’s an honour, but I know I’m only doing it for the short haul because we’ve got 'meathead' coming back sooner rather than later. It will be an absolute pleasure to give him it back."
On the addition of five new players in January, he said: “New faces always give the squad a bit of a lift. We lost Charlie [Wyke] which was always going to be a big loss. He had a hell of a year and in my opinion I think he’s got the potential to go on to be a Championship player. If he can do it in the Championship you never know where it can go after that.
"The boys who joined us on Saturdayshowed that we’ve replaced the others really well, and it’s a chance for other people to step up and score some goals now.
“Proc [Jamie Proctor] has come in and he’s in our car school so he’s slotted straight in. He’s big, strong, quick and he’s ticking every box. Hopefully we can keep playing the way we are so we create chances for him.
"Big George [Waring] come on and made a massive impact on Saturday, and John [O’Sullivan] was outstanding as well. I could go on, it’s positive and exciting. The fans want to see new faces coming in on deadline day as well and I'm sure they'll be happy."
“We’ve got a big month coming up," he admitted. "This is what it’s all about. We’ll go in with no fear but we know it’s going to be a hell of a challenge. We’ll have a good go and see where we are.
"We’re third in the table but the final straight starts now. Whatever happens we’ll keep calm. There are a lot of points to play for and we’re going to try and get them all."
On his ongoing contract talks with the club, he said: “I’m enjoying my football here. I don’t really get involved with the contract stuff, that’s what I pay my agent for.
"I try to concentrate on the football because I’m not very good with numbers. It’s always good to know you’re wanted, not just in football, but life in general, because jobs are hard to come by.
"I’ll leave the contract stuff to my agent and concentrate on football because things like that always take care of themselves.”
United PlayerHD subscribers can see an interview with Michael Raynes now. Click HERE to go to the PlayerHD platform. Follow the same link for more information on United PlayerHD, and to subscribe.
