Town Head Coach Luke Williams gave his thoughts on a number of subjects to the local media earlier ahead of tomorrow’s game against Walsall at SN1 (3PM Kick-Off)…
ON WALSALL:
“Not only have they lost Tom Bradshaw but many others have left the club that were a very, very good group of players.
“Some of them had been playing together in the same team for a few seasons and had a very good understanding, so now it is about trying to rebuild that understanding between new players.
“They’ve had games that they would have been very pleased with and got results, and probably some games where they’ve come away scratching their heads and wondering why they didn’t quite perform the same way.
“They are building again and we don’t want to catch them on a day when it comes together, so we’ll be on our guard.
“We won’t’ be taking anything for granted. That group last year went all the way to the play-offs and I was a bit surprised that they didn’t go further and go to the final and even go all the way because I thought they were that good.
“It is a different group this year so we’ll see what happens on the day.”
ON TOWN’S TACTICAL TWEAK:
“The difference is we’ve got more players staying behind the ball on an attack and the distance between players is shorter in the defensive regard, so it is giving us a chance as a group to show that we can press forward towards the ball and we can make tackles and interception.
“It is now more difficult to find space behind us and in-between players and that’s the big difference.
“Then, of course, on the flip-side of that there are a few less players going forward and the attacks are quicker and more make or break. They are either going to end in an attempt on goal or a turnover of possession, but then we’ve got a wave of players ready to press behind that.
“There are a few things in there that are different and it is giving the players a chance to express themselves in a slightly different way and hopefully our fans can see that there are players in there who are very capable of doing things that they possibly haven’t had the chance to show in the weeks before the last two performances.
“We built on the performance at Wimbledon and I hope that we can continue to put in good performances and improve as well. We’re playing a slightly different style but I think we can do it slicker.”
ON NATHAN DELFOUNESO:
“He’s quite clearly a player that has got tremendous ability because he started his career at the very top, went straight in at the deep end and swam.
“He didn’t falter and for one reason or another his journey hasn’t gone onwards and upwards from that point, but it is a very difficult position to get to the top and it is even more difficult to stay at the top.
“We’re fortunate enough to be part of his journey at the moment and I think it will be a stepping stone for him.
“He’s that good that there is every chance he can go onto the next level and hopefully he’ll go with us.”
ON THE FA CUP FIRST ROUND TIE AT EASTLEIGH BEING CHOSEN FOR LIVE TV COVERAGE:
“We’ve got to try and put that to one side a little bit and try and concentrate on preparing for the game and to win a game of football.
“Of course it is there, it is a factor and the players will be conscious of the fact that there are more cameras and probably more hype.
“We have to try and put that to one side for 90 minutes and really focus on the game.”
