Ahead of Saturday’s away trip to Altrincham, we caught up with Mark Hughes to get his thoughts on a strong week of training, building on recent momentum, and the challenges posed by a tough run of fixtures.
Fresh from a third consecutive win – a 2-0 home victory over Aldershot – Hughes was full of praise for his side’s continued progress: "We’ve trained really well again this week. The lads are in a good place – confidence is obviously high, and we’re seeing that in the work they’re producing every day. It’s another big game on Saturday, so we’re all looking forward to it."
The Head Coach acknowledged that the recent run of free midweeks has come at a good time, allowing the group to recover and refocus: "Yeah, it’s been helpful. We came through a challenging period with long journeys and tough fixtures, but we managed it well. These breaks give you a chance to reset – physically and mentally – and that’s what we’ve done. I don’t think we were desperate for it, because when you’re in good form you just want to keep playing, but it’s still important to use those gaps wisely."
With Tuesday night’s trip to York City coming quickly after Altrincham, Hughes made it clear that the squad is ready for the test: "Fitness-wise we’re in a really strong place. I’ve said for weeks now – our numbers are high, the lads are covering big distances and working hard as a group. When you’ve got back-to-back games like this, that level of fitness is going to be vital. I’ve got no concerns at all about us being able to cope with it."
Turning attention to injuries, Hughes confirmed that there are no fresh concerns heading into the weekend:
"Everyone’s come through last Saturday fine. Regan came off late in the game but it was nothing to worry about – just precautionary really. He’s trained all week."
One player who continues to impress is Terell Thomas, who has worn the armband in every league game apart from the opening day: "He’s been excellent. Terell came back in pre-season with real focus and hasn’t looked back since. He’s leading by example on the pitch and off it – he’s a big voice in the dressing room too. He’s ticking all the boxes you look for in a captain."
Asked what he looks for when selecting a skipper, Hughes said: "There are different types of leaders – some are vocal, some lead through their actions, and the best captains tend to do a bit of both. You want someone the group responds to. Terell’s certainly been that for us so far."
With six clean sheets in the first nine games, United's defensive record is drawing plenty of attention – but Hughes pointed to a collective effort: "The back four and Gabe have been excellent, but it’s a team thing. The midfield, the forwards – everyone’s working incredibly hard without the ball. That makes a huge difference. You can see the pride the defenders take in keeping clean sheets, and rightly so, but we’re defending as a unit and that’s why we’re seeing that consistency."
Midfielder Alex Gilliead was another standout performer last time out, and Hughes was keen to highlight his contribution: "Gilly’s done exactly what I expected him to. He’s got great experience, he understands the game, and he knows what’s required at this level. He’s bringing real calmness and intelligence to the way we play – and his influence on the group’s been really positive."
Looking ahead to Saturday, Hughes expects a real test against a talented Altrincham side: "They’re a good team. They’ve got quality in the final third, and players who can hurt you if you switch off. But like always, the main focus is on us. If we hit our levels, we’ll give ourselves a good chance."
Referencing last weekend’s win over Aldershot, Hughes underlined the importance of staying sharp: "Aldershot had scored at least two goals in every game before they came here, and we kept them quiet. That tells you everything about our performance. Altrincham are another side with attacking threats, and we’ve got to be just as switched on. Every team has players who can hurt you at this level – but it’s about what we do to stop that and impose our own game."
Saturday’s game also marks a return to a former club for Regan Linney – though Hughes was quick to stress the focus remains team-first: "I’m sure he’s looking forward to it. When you go back to a former club, there’s always that bit of extra motivation. But Regan’s a professional – he knows his job and what’s expected. It’ll be about the team performance more than anything else."
With a difficult run of fixtures ahead, including games against York and Rochdale, Hughes believes the group is ready to meet the challenge head-on: "These are the games you want to be involved in – big crowds, big atmospheres. I get excited about games like these, and I think the players do too. We don’t fear anyone. We’ve built a strong base with the start we’ve made, and now it’s about maintaining that level."
He also took time to acknowledge the incredible travelling support that continues to back the team: "The away end’s sold-out again for Saturday, and the numbers for Tuesday at York are huge too. It’s incredible really. The lads talk about it – it gives them a lift, no question. The fans drive us on, they hold us to a high standard, and we want to keep giving them performances to be proud of."
With momentum building and the group in a confident mood, Hughes is clear on the message: "We’re in a good place – but we want more. It’s about consistency now, doing the right things over and over again. That’s the challenge, and we’re all embracing it."
