Alex Neil has previewed the upcoming game against Gillingham on the weekend and touched upon the international break and players coming back to full fitness.
GOOD WEEK
“Yeah well we've done a bit of work, we've gave them a little bit of rest in between as well. It's been a good week .”
FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE
“I think the difficulty you've got is people think you've got ten days to work and things but the problem we've got is probably four or five of the key players that have been playing recently have been away so you can't do any work with them but I think for the rest of the lads we've gave them a good mixture between hard work when they've been in and good rest period just to refresh their mind going into the run in.”
IMPROVEMENT
“I think there has been natural signs of improvement, we're unbeaten in six at the moment, clean sheets is something that I spoke about when I first walked in the door and that's certainly improved.”
FRUSTRATING
“I think probably the most frustrating part for me has been the lacking in the Charlton game where I think we performed really well and we've not scored which we should have done because we had more than enough opportunities to do so. That's probably the bit that's been a little bit frustrating and some of the performances at home haven’t been as good as I would’ve hoped so that's something we certainly need to improve on.”
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
“I think our forward play has been pretty good in the two games that I mentioned because there has been opportunities there and obviously with the quality of player that we have what I'm hoping for if I can get them into them positions often enough then their quality comes through and unfortunately in those 2 game we either chose the wrong option or we didn’t execute it properly or the keeper makes a good save or whatever.”
NO ROOM FOR ERROR
“But it just doesn’t really work in our favour and we’re in the stage of the season now where there’s no room for error. We know we need to make these next few games count and obviously the next one is going to be a difficult one as well so we know we’re going to have to take those opportunities if they come.”
BROADHEAD AND PRITCH
“I think for both really I was more concerned that it was gonna be a long term issue, I think both have recovered quicker than anticipated which is great and both have been on the grass this week so we've seen flashes of them hopefully coming back, whether they'll be back for the weekend or not I'm not quite sure but they’re certainly not far away.”
BATTH
“Obviously it's good to get all the players back. It gives us a variety in terms of what's available for the games and as you say we try to top up as many lads with minutes that hadn't been featured and obviously the likes of Danny needed some minutes because he hasn't played in a while.”
COMFORTABLE
“I think in terms of how we've managed the situation it is probably as good as we could have hoped for really in terms of those younger lads getting the break that I think they needed, some of the lads we brought in on loan who did lack match minutes, them getting the minutes they required and I think they're just really now starting to step up to the plate and then hopefully we can get Alex, Broadhead Danny Batth all these guys back in as well it leaves us in a good situation hopefully for the remaining matches. I'm pleased and comfortable with where we sit at the moment as a squad.”
GILLINGHAM
“I've watched a lot, I went to watch them against Accrington I was at that game at the weekend which they won, I’ve watched them against Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton, I’ve watched quite a few of their games this week, they're hard to beat, very hard to beat they’re hard to break down, well organised hit you well in transition direct in their play, effective.”
PREPARED
“We know what's coming, I've watched our game against them earlier in the season which we managed to win 2-1 but certainly got put under pressure in those last 10, 15 minutes at their palace so we know what's going to come, we know we’re going to have to perform well and equally taking opportunities when and if they present themselves.”
NO REGRETS
“The last thing you want in these remaining games is you don't want any regrets. You know we've got to go out and we've got to throw caution at the wind. We've got to be really courageous in terms of how we approach the match. And like I say, don’t have any regrets because you don't want to walk in after any game thinking you've left anything in the tank.”
DO OUR PART
“That goes for the supporters as well really, give us your backing because these next seven matches are absolutely crucial.”
