Ahead of the long trip to Southampton, Mike Dodds faced the media where he spoke about suspensions, injuries, the opposition and the position he is in at the moment.
STOP THE ROT
“It feels like there are a lot of small things going against me and us at the moment. We just have to focus on controlling the controllables. I believe in the players, I believe in the group. The team that was out the other night was the team. You could compare that to the Leicester game where they controlled 45 minutes of football. They can do it. I feel they are just one result away from it turning. I don’t think the games, apart from maybe the first 30 minutes at Swansea, I think the games have been really tight. We have to turn those fine margins in our favour.”
MIKE DODDS ON MIKE DODDS
"This isn’t about Mike Dodds. I understand I have to have one eye on what I want to achieve, but I think anyone who looks at it can see I’ve had a hard hand. The cards are definitely different from the last time I took the team in terms of personnel. As I’ve eluded a few times this is something I want to do in the future. I have to come through this moment and show people it’s not always going to be Disneyworld. I don’t want to lose any game let alone three on the bounce. The players are on board with what we’re trying to do. Once we get players back that will be a better reflection of Mike Dodds as a coach.”
RUSSEL MARTIN
“I think Russell Martin has had a very clear identity of how he wants his team to play. I think they have so much individual quality. It was similar to Leicester. When I watch it back I’ve just got to give Leicester credit. I thought they started the game really well and a couple of Premier League-quality passes that sliced us open. It’s whether the players can win their individual duels to get the result.”
O’NIEN SUSPENSION
“He spoke to me this morning. He wants to travel and be around the group. I think it’s really important we have someone of his character around the group.”
INJURIES
"Bradley Dack is training with the group. He's probably going to be a few more weeks. Corry is training with the group but we need to be careful with Corry. Aji is part-training. Patrick and Jack aren't on the grass."
CHRIS RIGG’S CONTRACT
“That’s out of my remit. He trains really well. Regardless of his age his general performance was of a really high standard. Fans can be excited but there has to be an understanding he’s still a baby and we have to manage him properly. If he performs like he did the other night age is irrelevant for me. If you are performing you play."
ROSS STEWART
“I have a lot of respect for Ross, he’s a great lad and worked really hard. I’m gutted for him. I know how much he will be hurting right now. He’s probably had a year or so of not being in a great place. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about Ross.”
