Man Of The Match Jacob Lay reflects on yesterday's game against Coalville.
DK: A draw, kind of bit of a harsh one, do you think? A harsh draw?
JL: Yeah, I think we've had a few chances cleared off the line about three or four and on another day. I think we can always put those away, but I think today just was one of those days where it wasn't meant to be. But I mean we've got a clean sheet and we created chances but it just didn't take 'em today. So
DK: One positive is that we're still top of the league at least.
JL: Yeah, the results obviously went our way. The gaffer been telling us don't try and look below us, just try and create a gap and think the lads have been brilliant this season and still top of the league, I mean it's always good to see, so we've just got to keep pushing on and see where it gets us.
DK: I think you've been top of the man of match charts this year, which wants to be good for you.
JL: Yeah, yeah, no, it's always good to get individual awards, but I think that the team have been, every player on the team have been brilliant this season. I mean everyone's playing 110, 120% and that just shows in where we are in the league. So everyone's just been top.
DK: Yeah, like you say, another day we probably have about five, six goals.
JL: Yeah. On another day we do. But we'll get back to the training ground on Monday, train Thursday and then go again Saturday and hopefully we can put it right and score some goals.
DK: Is it more credit to how their defence got back and cleared off the line or is it a bit of poor shooting?
JL: I think it's a bit of both really. I think we should be finishing those chances, but I mean you think if you just get it on target it'll go in, but it's not always like that. But we'll work on that again in training with some finishing drills and hopefully we'll put 'em away next time.
DK: This is one time where Luck's went against us kind of on the day, whereas last season it's every week. So it is a bit more positive this time around to your first year with us?
JL: Oh yeah. Yeah, definitely. I think everyone around the club is feeling the momentum shift and how well we're doing at the moment and we're just looking really positive and all the lads are enjoying it. The coaching staff are enjoying it and I think the fans are enjoying it as well. And that's just good to see.
DK: We've got Alvechurch up next. How'd you see that one going?
JL: Yeah, another long away trip, but I'm sure all the boys will go get up for it. I think we've got a good away form this season, so now I think we'll be confident, we're top of the league, so I don't think there's no reason we shouldn't be. So yeah, bring it on.
DK: Did you expect that nine days from Christmas we'd be top of the league right now?
JL: No, I generally didn't think we were going to be. I thought with the talent we have, I think if we got it all together we could be near the playoffs. But to be where we are at the moment, it's testament to Tom, Kev, all the players just working hard and showing on the pitch and we're just going to keep doing what we're doing and hopefully we'll by come the end of the season where we want to be.
DK: What is the most positive thing other than being top for you today?
JL: I think the clean sheet really. Even though we didn't put away the chances, I mean Coalville in recent times, they've always been a good team, a top team in the playoffs, in the run there. And they're coming here trying to sit in holding up for a point and celebrating a point. So I think you got, that's testament to us to see how far we've come.
DK: Yeah, because last season we both said that kind of game plan from the opposition that ends up winning them the game.
JL: Yeah, but this season it's just been different and yeah, today it wasn't meant to be, but I don't think it was a bad performance. We just didn't take our chances. But on another day we take 'em and we win the game.
Assistant Manager Tom Rothery reflects on yesterday's stalemate.
DK: Do you see today as 2 points dropped, or one gained
TR: It’s another point on the board, they’ve cleared 3 off the line where maybe we could do better but equally fair play to them as it’s good last ditch defending but Marco also made a couple of decent saves. We had more possession and momentum in the game but I think they always carried a threat too. I think defensively we’ve done really well today again a team who have some big threats.
DK: One positive is that we're still top though do you think?
TR: Of course it’s nice to be top but it doesn’t really mean anything atm it’s just a good platform for us to hopefully have a good season. We can’t sit there thinking it’s done we now have to try and build on that and setting even higher standards if we want to stay there as everyone now sees us a target and a way to boost themselves by beating us.
DK: Was it down to poor finishing or good reading of play from Coalville that we didn't find a breakthrough?
TR: Bit of both like I said earlier it’s good defending and them putting bodies on the line but I think on at least 2 of the occasions we should have not found the man on the line personally.
DK: Despite that you must be pleased with the performance?
TR: Like I said to the lads I thought we played ok. We had the better of it but also recognising that they did have a threat and overall we dealt with that well obviously Marco does what Marco does but I thought the back 4 were really solid, physically and did well on the ball also. If we take the chances and come away with a 1-0 or 2-0 you say it’s a really good performance. They’re a good side and for me really unfortunate to not go up last year so a great sign that we are taking 4 points off them and maybe disappointed to not have 6. There are things we could have done better and we will work on that at training but overall I thought it was a fairly good performance just today without that finishing touch.
DK: It was good to see Nico in a Needham shirt, what did you make of his performance?
TR: He did pretty well, he’s looked good in training has quality and will add something to the squad. We don’t have much depth and like he’s shown today he has pace, trickery and technical ability and if we are being honest should have walked away with a goal too but I’m sure that’ll come and if he gets in those areas regularly which we believe he will then that’ll help the squad and what we want to achieve this season.
DK: Last season we probably lose that game, so is that the most pleasing thing?
TR: Yeh I think you might be right and again I’d say even at half time I felt it was more likely we’d go on and win the game or draw and maybe last season I wouldn’t have had that belief. What the lads are showing this season is that there’s more belief and resilience and just general character and some of that’s come from the few new faces we’ve added and also how hard we’ve worked at training to improve things and then from that winning games builds momentum and confidence.
DK: Now we're around the halfway mark of the season, how do you reflect on it so far?
TR: It’s a good start we are nearly halfway now so we have put ourselves in a good position but there’s so much left of the season that’s all it is. After last season we said we’d improve and we’d look to rectify certain gaps like I believe we have but equally we are still a very small squad so we need to keep players fit if we want to be successful at the end of the season so we need a bit of luck with that and equally we need to keep working hard and continually try and improve. As I said earlier we’ve now put a big target on our back and most teams will try and raise their game when they play us as they’ll want that scalp.
DK: Alvechurch next week stands between us and Christmas, how important would a good result be?
TR: Every game is important and that’s the next one so it’s the most important. It’s a tough place to go and they’ve obviously changed manager a couple of months ago and have had some personnel change but they’re a good side, play good football and no game at this level is ever easy so we will have to be at our best.
DK: What do you expect, & want, from next week's game?
TR: A good performance gives us a good chance, what we always expect from the team, our standards and our team ethic and then see where that takes us against them.
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