Head Coach Luke Williams was a happy man in the wake of Town’s 2-0 win away at Oldham Athletic this afternoon…
ON THE RESULT AND PERFORMANCE:
“I’m really pleased for the players and I’m pleased for the fans who have come to watch us because we’ve not been great away from home, so I’m really delighted for those reasons.
“There wasn’t a huge amount that was different. As we’ve said before, we’ve had a few things go against us and then once you are chasing a game it is much more difficult, but today we took the lead and we were able to control the game more on our terms.
“I don’t think a huge amount has changed but players are getting fitter as well bit by bit. They are an excellent group and I’ve been hurt for them that they’ve not got some of the results that I think they’ve deserved.
“There have been some patches in games that have been below par but nothing drastically has changed, I just think the players are coming to grips with a few things.”
ON JON OBIKA’S BRILLIANT FIRST GOAL:
“It was very, very pleasing from the point of view of the whole squad because we all feel that everybody was included in that.
“Like that you are an incredibly difficult team to play against because we went forwards and backwards and we waited for our moment to strike.
“It is hard to believe that Jon Obika could be inside the box unmarked with time to put the ball on his left foot, but it’s not because the players he’s playing against are no good, it’s because we move the ball so quickly and they switch off.
“We’ve got an understanding of what positions to be in and why, so it was very pleasing for everyone to be involved in that.”
ON BRANDON ORMONDE-OTTEWILL’S GOAL:
“He was a long way up the pitch and it looked like it was coming. We seemed to get some very good chances, particularly down the left, and it was clever play from Nathan (Delfouneso) to make the back-heel, John Goddard kept his composure to put the correct ball into the box and Brandon did the rest, so it was another good move that led to a goal.
“Oldham were a typical League One team that didn’t lay down easily and they were still pressing and fighting and they kept putting balls forward.
“Everyone was jumping for the ball and fighting for the ball, so for us to try and control the game as we did and take the sting out of the game with the second goal was fantastic.
“It possibly could have been the same story had we scored the second goal in our last game and we might have been able to get over the line, but goals change games and today it was us on the fortunate side of that.”
ON BREACHING OLDHAM’S STUBBORN DEFENCE AND KEEPING A CLEAN SHEET:
“They pride themselves on being very difficult to break down and that’s why we had to work so hard to keep moving the ball to find the space.
“Fortunately for us we took our chances when they presented themselves.
“It is great to score against anyone but especially against a team that are very difficult to score against.
“To keep a clean sheet is number one for a goalkeeper because there is nothing more of a boost to a goalkeeper than keeping a clean sheet.
“Lawrence had a couple of saves to make and he did that extremely well. The players in front of him protected him well today, so that’s great for the whole team.
“But I’m pleased for Lawrence because he deserves that.”
ON TEAM SPIRIT:
“They are a fantastic group and they are very together. They all desperately want to do well for so many reasons and that is evident when you can see how pleased they are and how delighted they are to share that moment with each other.”
ON INJURIES:
“James Brophy has been ill and he fell ill during the last game against Bristol Rovers and came off at half-time as he was starting to feel really poorly. His situation is under control but it wasn’t suitable for him to play this game.
“Bradley Barry is still nursing an injury and he’s got a small pull in his hamstring.
“Sean Murray’s foot is very bruised but he’s had a scan and the good news is that there is no break in there, so it is just a question of that foot being comfortable enough to kick a ball around and for him to be able to make a tackle without feeling too much discomfort.
“There is no rest for the wicked so we’re hoping that a few of the boys will be in contention for Tuesday, but it is very difficult to know until they are assessed tomorrow or Monday.
