Assistant Manager Tom Rothery previews tomorrow's trip to Mickleover.
DK: With the disappointment of how the FA Cup ended is it pleasing how we've continued in the league?
TR: It was disappointing but only in the fact of how late the goal was. I was pleased with how we played over the two games. Pleasing that we’ve continued back in the league in good form especially with some of the injuries we’ve picked up recently.
DK: On top of the league, we're still in the hunt for a fourth straight Premier Cup, which must be pleasing?
TR: As Kev always states, we always aim to win that. Nothing has changed but every game brings challenges, they’re all local derbies which always adds a certain challenge and alongside league games we try and use all the squad whilst still obviously trying to progress through the rounds.
DK: Did you imagine at the start of the season we could be sat where we are in the league at this stage?
TR: I listened back to the interview I did with you after Barwell. Both Kev and I said we’d be better and we’d look to strengthen the areas where we felt we lacked last season. You never know how it will play out but we both felt we’d improved pretty well during the summer. The squad is still small in depth but has real quality and experience so not surprised as I know the quality we have but you still need things to go well to be where we are so I’d say the players deserve a lot of credit for how they’ve started especially when you factor in the amount of games and different competitions.
DK: How important is tomorrow's game to you, do you see it as a top of the table clash or is it still too early, and what do you expect from the game itself?
TR: It’ll be a tough game. It’s a long journey and they’re a good side obviously sitting where they are in the league. They’ve only drawn one at home and won the rest so we know it’ll be tough and the games I’ve seen they’ve shown they have real quality. I think it’s too early to say it’s anything other than a league game where the winner gets three points or a draw gives you a point each. I don’t think at this stage only a third through the season does it determine anything but I guess a potential winner would give that team even more belief.
DK: What's the minimum that you want from the lads, and would you be happy with a draw?
TR: Like we always ask, non negotiable, work hard, stick together and play our game, no regrets. You start with a point that’s what we say in the changing room and see how the game plays out and then judge it at the end.
DK: Similarly, how pleasing and important has it been that we've been consistent home and away so far this season, especially in the goals scored & against departments?
TR: It’s very pleasing as I think it shows that we are showing consistency in our performances which gives you a good chance of doing well in the league. Last season we didn’t do that so that’s a very pleasing aspect. The goals for is good as again shows how hard we’ve worked to correct that and again the lads deserve credit as there’s been a lot of repetitive work at training and we are seeing the reward for that. Defensively last year we were good and adding Tommy into that has made us even stronger and the back 5 have been excellent but as a team we’ve defended well also to help that.
DK: You must've been pleased with the way the lads bounced back to winning ways on Tuesday?
TR: Yeh I thought that was more important than this coming Saturday really. We’d lost a couple at home after Saturday in league and cup so it’s important to stop that run and reacting after defeat is always important. Like I touched on earlier the injuries have to be considered too so to do that with some good players out was also pleasing.
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