Harrogate Town AFC

Watch the Gaffer's pre match press conference ahead of Saturday's contest with Morecambe...



On the FA Trophy decision…

It's a massive blow for the fans and for us not having them with us. The whole journey to Wembley, the anticipation of that big date and the Harrogate Town supporters behind us, it's an odd one [decision ].

I thought we waited all this time because there'd be something at the end of it with fans being with us. Knowing a few weeks down the line fans will be allowed in every stadium, it's a really big blow to all of us at the club.
 
On last weekend's performance against Forest Green…

When you see they're in the top three and you see we had a lot of possession, not many away teams do that against Forest Green. We've got to turn that possession into being more ruthless.

It was a disappointing afternoon as we underachieved and although we dominated some passages of play, we were nowhere near what we're capable of.

Defensively we conceded two sloppy goals and attacking wise we didn't prize them open. Their second goal was a really good one to be fair but we didn't do enough to stop them.

Having said that, looking back at the whole game, if we're anything like our best we are a real match for anyone.

Coming away with a narrow defeat in many people's eyes wouldn't be too perturbing but we know we can do better.
On Jay Williams impact from the bench against Forest Green…

He was looking big and strong in there while still looking smooth on the ball.  He took some good positions defensively and it's something I think we can do better at out of possession.

He organised it well for a young lad. He was a presence in the box and sometimes chances go begging for us in the box from set plays so it was good for him to stick his head on it and I'm really pleased for him.

On George Thomson…
From being a good right winger but a bit flakey out of possession couple years ago to now being a really solid performer and more than that in the middle of the park.

On and off the ball he's physical, winning the headers and looking a really good centre midfielder.

On Morecambe…

They scored a good goal [against us] and then put bodies behind the ball and made it really difficult for us. It was at a time where we did lack a bit of quality in the final third to prize teams open.  We'll be determined on Saturday and we know what we have to do.

It pretty much is a six pointer knowing a win can claw it back to five points. It would blow it wide open if we can get a win and then add to it after. It'll definitely be a confidence boost.

However, we need to defend better as a team than we did last week and be more cut throat in front of goal. Defensively at home in recent times we've done well.

We'll just be looking to take the game to Morecambe who are a very good side and have excelled this season. We now need to go on another run to really make it an exciting end to the season, it's what we all want.
 
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