Town Head Coach Luke Williams spoke to the media earlier this evening after seeing his side held to a 0-0 draw by Southend United at The County Ground…
ON THE RESULT AND PERFORMANCE:
minute and putting so many players forward into our box.nd“Southend didn’t look like an away team because they were still charging forward in the 92
“They then left us an opportunity to break on them and it went back and forth and it was probably very exciting if you were a neutral.
“Both teams deserved something for sure.
“When the opposition have so much enthusiasm and so much endeavour to get forward, then it is hard to control too much of the game.
“The players linked up very, very well in the top-half of the pitch and then the two centre-backs and the goalkeeper again defended the box tremendously, so there were lots of positives today.
“Every one of us associated with the club – the fans, the players, the staff – we expect as a minimum always that level of effort.
“In the past I honestly believe that we’ve very rarely been guilty of not trying hard enough, but there have been too many games where the players have been overwhelmed and have been trampled over – that gives a very bad impression that they aren’t trying hard enough.
“I still very much believe that the group are giving everything every single week but sometimes come out second best.
“There’s only one or two performances where I think they have let themselves down in terms of effort.”
ON PERSONNEL CHANGES:
“It is more natural to play a four at the back without Nathan (Thompson) but, of course, we know that we are at our strongest with Nathan as part of the team and he’ll come back in I’m sure.
“We should be quite happy with the shape of the team and I think that worked well.
“Both Luke Norris and Jon Obika committed to the long ball and they tried to jump and bring the ball out of the air or try to flick the ball on.
“Both players had chances to score, nothing that was clear-cut, but they put themselves in the positions and Jon had a chance which he made for himself – both of them really helped the team get up the field and defend from the front.
“The formation suited the majority of the players and it felt quite natural to select the players in those positions because of their qualities and everyone looked fairly comfortable in that diamond in midfield.”
ON BEING WITHOUT YASER KASIM AGAIN:
“He’s still nursing an injury so we expect him to get stronger throughout the week and train more with the group.
“He’s joined in a portion of training but there is still too much soreness and swelling for him to continue and do the whole session, so we need to get him there first.”
ON JORDAN STEWART’S RETURN TO THE MATCHDAY SQUAD:
“That is really pleasing and he’s deserved that because he’s worked so hard. He’s had a couple of setbacks and mentally that is so tough but he’s got on with it, pushed himself and I’m really pleased to see him back on the bench.”
ON THE RIGHT-BACK AREA:
“Brad Barry is an outstanding player and let’s not forget that he was Player of the Season last year.
“He was involved in almost every single game last season so we’ve got a fantastic player that has just come back from an injury and he’s ready to step in.
“I think it would also be sensible for us to consider bringing a reinforcement in that position as well.”
ON ADDING NEW FACES IN JANUARY:
“I’m very confident that we will have players in. I don’t get heavily involved in that side of things but I trust the people at the club whose job it is to bring players in and that will happen, I’ve got no doubt.
“We’re all pulling in the same direction and I expect them to be in sooner rather than later.
“I look forward to working with the new players.”
ON NEXT WEEK’S CRUNCH GAME AGAINST SHREWSBURY:
“This game is going to be really important because it could push us away and push them down so it is a six-pointer, for want of a better term.
“Both teams will be fighting for everything and it won’t be easy.
“We need to give the same amount of effort as we did today.”
