Harrogate Town AFC

Watch the Gaffer's pre-match interview as we get ready to face Oldham at Boundary Park this Saturday...


 
On Rory McArdle's injury…

It was just one of those nagging injuries in the first half against Stevenage and Rachel said to us ‘what do we think?'. Paul (Thirlwell) and I both thought that if it was nagging, it could turn into something worse. He then had a scan as a precaution at the start of the week and it revealed to be a worse injury than he even imagined. It's disappointing to now be without him for quite some time.

It is a chance for Will Smith though. He's an exciting young centre back who has always played so well for the club. He'll be chomping at the bit and can count himself unlucky not to have started games so far this season because he's been used to being one of the main stayers. It's his opportunity now and we're looking forward to it.

On whether there's been a positive reaction this week in training…

Yeah absolutely. Right from the off when we walked into training and everybody was bright eyed and buzzing to get going. The lads can take it, they're grown men who want to improve and keep aspiring for a higher league position and higher leagues.

There will be bits along the way that we have to look back on and reflect on after games properly. We got the video out the other day together and looked at certain points that were missing from our game on Saturday. If we put them right we should be a better team.

On our last visit to Boundary Park, which came on Boxing Day 2020…

It came at a time when the squad was feeling a bit stretched. We had a few injuries and we went there and played on a pitch that suited us. We did both sides of the game perfectly well for an away performance on that occasion. Hopefully we can reproduce that on Saturday.

They've still got a few of the players that were dangerous on that day. We're wary of the threats they pose but obviously we want to get back to attacking a little brighter and better than last week and defending more compact from when the ball goes up to the front man on both sides of the pitch. We've got bits to do but hopefully it does bode well from the performance there last year.

On enjoying the away games this season…

It's far better than last year when there was no one there. We like to give our fans a clap and the away support for the whole 90 minutes, they get behind the lads. Even when there is a big home support, the lads really do enjoy it when their fans are against us so it makes for a better footballing atmosphere.

On previewing Saturday's clash…

They got a win last week so they're not totally out of form and it was against a really good Rochdale team so they'll be buoyed by that. I don't see any as must win games at the minute, it's so early in the season.

We'd like to think from every away game we can come away with something because it keeps the momentum moving forward. We'll be hungry for even more than that but we have to earn it, especially when they have some dangerous players.

#ProudToBeTown