Getting over Fleetwood disappointment
“I know what the group is capable of, I see the ability every day, but when you don’t bring some basic fundamentals to the game then it is hard to win any game of football. That is why we lost last week.
“I want a team where you know what you can expect from them every time they cross the white line. Last week we didn’t do those things and that is why we suffered.
“We now have 20 games left in the league, we have to learn from last Saturday and move forward quickly.”
Jamal Lowe’s arrival
“He is a proven performer at this level. He brings flexibility across the front line, he can link play, he is mobile and he gets into the box. He brings calmness at the top end of the pitch in terms of his decision-making and I am sure he will complement the players we have here already.
“I am sure from what I have already seen from him that he will be a great addition for the second half of the season.”
Consistency
“We have the league to concentrate on and it’s all to play for. We are right in there with numerous teams fighting to get into the top six.
“We must remind ourselves of what we are good at and go out there and produce it. That comes down to consistency of training, behaviour and application.
“Last week we weren’t consistent in that. Our approach needs to be a whole lot better this weekend.”
The challenge ahead
“I see the challenge in front of us and I like a challenge. Last week was a horrible experience. You don’t want to lose any game of football, particularly in that fashion, but it made things clearer in my mind about what we need to do.
“If anything, it has made me more committed and more motivated. That’s the passion of the job. You talk about it and then you get out and work on it. make sure we are there come the end of the season. A couple of wins can really change the feeling. You have seen teams put runs together and it can totally change the outlook. That has to be our aim and it starts this weekend with a tough game at Reading.”
Reading
“We are coming up against a team with plenty of know-how and plenty of experience. We are a young-ish squad – not young, but young-ish – and we have to learn quickly.
“It is an unforgiving league and we have to move forward and really approach these next 20 games with positivity to make sure come the end of the season we are right in the shake up.”
Team news
“Stefan (Johansen) has joined in team training this week and it is good to have him back in. He adds leadership and experience to the group.
“We have to decide where he is physically and when he is ready to be included.
“Leon Balogun is not ready. Luke Amos is out and will be for another week to ten days.
“George Thomas is out at the moment but won’t be long. Everyone else is fit and available,and raring to go.”
