Adkins on Ridgewell He’s a player with vast experience. It was a shot to nothing really he came in on Monday and hes settled down well. It was a good thing for us to go and do. He’s a naturally fit guy, he looks sharp. We had a game the other day and he looked good from that point of view. It’s probably too early for him to start tomorrow. Adkins on deadline day We were looking to bring in a forward and a centre-half yesterday and if we brought a striker in maybe Nouha would have moved out, but we’re happy. We have a little problem at centre-back and we are still looking to bring a defender in. We had deals break down, it wasn’t monetary. We’re still looking to bring a player in. But when you look at Premier League youngsters, we have our own. I’d rather give the opportunity to our players rather than another team’s. There are still players available and we’re looking at bringing a free agent in. Adkins on his squad You know when we were at the bottom of the league and everyone was expecting the players to be sold and we’ve added two experienced players. I think everyone would be happy with that. We’ve shown the threat we’v got and the spirits are really high. It’s like Brexit, you need a deal to know where you are. We know where we are. I think the lads realise there is something special going on. The club put a statement out at the start of Jan and none of the players have gone. We have actively looked to improve the group and I’m pleased with those that have come in so far. That’s the positive side that we have to look at. We kept the group together. We’ve got a young group but we’ve added two experienced players who are fit and that will help the younger players. You can’t have enough good role models about. We have 17 games to go and we’re in the race. It’s a tall order but the players are in rich form. We should feel confident. Clubs wanted to sign our players and we kept them and likewise we have Jackson Irvine coming back. Adkins on team news Jordy, Reece and Ondrej are out for the weekend, we’ll see how we go for Derby. We know we have our threats but we understand that Saturday’s game will be a tough ask, we know that. We have a spirit and we’re at home and the last game we played at home was great. We need the feelgood factor to continue. We need that togetherness. We have to embrace the toughness. We have good players and a fanbase that wants to get right behind the team. Jordy and Reece have a chance for the Derby game. Mazuch will hopefully be fit for Brentford, as will Jon Toral. You have a squad and when something happens that’s an opportunity for someone else. Adkins on his options at the back There’s a pathway for the younsgters and it’s important that we develop our own players. We have to be supportive of them. I’ve got loads of options at centre-half. You look at the game against Blackburn I have loads. Eric and Robbie played together at Blackburn. Henrksen and Stewart can play there. I could play 10 at the back but whoever you play will have their work cut out with Vokes and Afobe up front. Irvine looks brilliant. He’s a young man that has grown in strength and leadership qualities and the energy he has got is phenomenal. Adkins on Stoke They’ve changed the manager because they expect to be in the top two. It’s tough. From my point of view, everyone expected us to be relegated and we sit at the top of the from table. There’s a togetherness we should be positive about things. We have to remain focused and have everyone doing what they can. Let’s enjoy the last 17 games. Adkins on Blackburn I’ve been around dressing rooms long enough and sometimes you get a feeling, you can’t put your finger on it. Our two star players never touched the ball. Was the transfer window a factor? But it’s done this is us and it’s important that you look to learn lessons. Sometimes when you have a great run of from a result gets away from you. You have to get on the rope again and keep talking through the process. We have a great culture here and the players work extremely hard.
If ridgewell can stand up then surely he has to play , that Paragraph on options at the back is Nigel at his best or worst however you look at it.
You'd have thought so, but from the above, it looks like it will almost certainly be Lichaj and McKenzie again. Glad I'm banned now...
You would think so, I can't understand why he is not ready, an 90% fit centre back has to play along with McKenzie.
See I would tempted to play Lichaj and Ridgewell. McKenzie's confidence looked absolutely shot during the last two games, panicked on the ball. I would give him a game or two off then bring him back. I like him but he has had two poor games and needs taking out the firing line in my eyes. I think Afobe or Vokes would absolutely destroy him.
McKenzie needs to develop some bulk to deal with the forwards he’s up against in this league. His passing game needs improvement too, he tried too many long “glory” balls last week and don’t think any of them came off. I’d replace him this weekend if possible.
Marvellous. The window was the opportunity to sign a defender to step into the team now, when we needed it most. Fail.
So, you’d have really thought that they’d have learned their lesson by now and changed that dodgy fax machine!
