Following United’s 3-0 win at home to Truro City, we spoke to Head Coach Mark Hughes.
Speaking to CUTV, he said: “Pleased with the performance, really delighted with the start we made, got ahead very, very quickly.
“Luke Armstrong was excellent all day today, and probably the only thing we were a little bit upset about was that he didn't get a hat-trick; it would have been nice for him because his performance and his work deserve that today.”
Luke Armstrong grabbed two of the goals in the 3-0 win to the delight of Hughes, he said: “We said we needed to start brightly, we did against Braintree, and that was the intention of the game today. Got our noses in front, good anticipation and a good run to the near post
“The second goal was a little bit fortunate, but we took the chance well. At that point, we were very, very comfortable in the game.
“Truro, before the game, there was a little bit of concern because they're an expansive team and they look like a team that could cause us problems if we allowed them to, but I have to say the way we played didn't allow them to really get any energy or any foothold in the game and we solved the game out quite comfortably.”
On Armstrong, he continued: “He's playing well, I've got strikers that are working exceptionally hard, are in good form and are scoring goals, each and every one of them.
“So, Georgie missed out today, just got to protect Georgie a little bit, back-to-back 90 minutes after travelling.
“I felt it was the right decision to bring Luke back in; that was more my thinking in midweek as well, by not starting Luke, just to make sure everybody's fresh, and I think I said earlier in the week that if we can get everybody scoring and getting into double figures quickly, then that's going to help us massively.”
Regan Linney scored the Blues' third with a sumptuous strike high into the roof of the net, having danced past the Tinners’ defence.
“Excellent. He just has that knack to be able to get shots off from any angle and really enjoys working that left-hand side of the pitch, and he just has the ability to change pace quickly and which catches people out.
“Invariably, if he's got space to get a shot off, he will do it; more often than not, it's accurate with power.
“So, under those circumstances, you expect him to score.”
On squad rotation, he said: “We are going to need everybody, and yeah, I've been in squads and teams where, yes, I always wanted to play week in, week out, but sometimes, certainly when my time in Chelsea, I rotated with a number of fellow strikers, and I think we all ended up with 15 to 20 goals that year.
“So, that's my thinking about it. It obviously needs to happen, but at the moment, it looks promising that all our strikers and our attacking players are in good form and scoring.”
On the Blues picking up another clean sheet, he said: “It was important that we got the clean sheet.
“It was the least they deserved. I thought their performances were good today, and certainly full-backs supplemented that defensive play with their attacking threat as well. So, yeah, really pleased.
“I think it's really important when you're so much in control of the game that you're able to see the game out, get a clean sheet, which is a badge of honour for defenders. So, we've been able to achieve almost everything we set out to do.”
Gabe Breeze was a key part of the sheet, confidently claiming multiple crosses throughout the afternoon.
“We're just trying to give them a little bit more room to come and claim things. I think in the first few games, teams were trying to get people around him, and we've addressed that a little bit, and it seems to be working.
“Now he's having space to make decisions to come for balls, and that's always a great help for the defenders.”
United made it back-to-back wins for the second time this season.
“Winning breeds confidence, and obviously, we're really high in terms of that at the moment. So, more of the same next time out, another home game.
“It's a great opportunity to have back-to-back home games.
“We weren't able to capitalise on that earlier in the season, so we've got the first part done. Let's see if we can get the second game on.”
On the visitors, Truro City, he said: “It's going to be difficult for them on occasions, but I would actually suggest that we probably had a more fragmented week than them did in terms of disturbed sleep.
“I think a lot of the guys got to bed about half three after the game midweek.
“I think they were safely tucked up in bed long before that, and travelled up yesterday, and I'm sure prepared as well as they possibly can. So, in terms of leading into the game, they were probably in better shape than we were.”
