Harrogate Town AFC

Watch the Gaffer's pre-match interviewing ahead of our First Round FA Cup tie with Wrexham…
 


The Gaffer on looking forward to the tie…

We're really looking forward to it and it's set to be a really big game for the club in front of a big crowd. With Wrexham coming to town they always bring a fantastic crowd so it's a big game ahead.

It's a very tough tie but at least we're at home and we've still got a very good record at home. We're looking to bounce back from losing last week for the first time at home this season but it's a special game to look forward to.

Wrexham have a different manager and group of players from when we last played them but we expect them to be quite a forceful outfit with long throws into the box and a bit of pace down the sides. They'll be well organised under Phil Parkinson.  

On staying grounded after recent results…

I think we've got to be careful in how we deal with the first real disappointments of the season. It's been a terrific start so far and we've got to energize the lads to make sure they believe in themselves.

As I said, we've only just lost our first home game of the season, we lie seventh in the table in League Two - which we would have snapped anyone's hand off for if we had been offered that at the start of the year - however there are elements of our game that we want to improve. Defensively we want to keep it tighter and we also want to keep the ball and be more in control of games, so we're working on it.

On the characters in the squad…

I think we've got a terrific group of players and people, and with that honesty they know themselves that they've probably had a little dip in some areas. It can't get to them and we can't allow that pressure to build up within them.

The lads have got to enjoy training and enjoy the prospect of them playing in front of a full house again. In spite of defeats the lads are buzzing and aiming high in every single game.

On our last FA Cup tie in front of fans which was against Portsmouth in 2019…

All the supporters were really backing us that night and created quite a hostile atmosphere for Portsmouth. We won't have an issue with the lights as we did that night but we were 1-0 up and lost the tie to two great strikes but we learnt a lot about the standard of football higher up that night.

We're one step higher now than what we were then but now it's time to start evolving as a team and look at our thought processes in games and how we stay calm on the ball even in big FA cup ties. First and foremost though we have to win the battle.  
 
#ProudToBeTown