Harrogate Town AFC

Watch the Gaffer's pre Carlisle United interview here…
 


The Gaffer on Will Smith's serious injury…

It's a tough one isn't it? It's a tough one for us all to bear. Will gets on with the whole group and the coaching staff as well. It's a disaster for him and for us as a club but he's here for the next two years, so obviously we're going to get him back as good as new and look after him. I think that event is unlucky but obviously we've got to research if there's any recurring themes. We've had a lot of groin injuries and we need to get to the bottom of it, that's for sure for next season.

On mathematical safety helping to lift weight off players' shoulders…

I think it should because it's been wearing a bit heavily on everyone's shoulders after a bit of backward momentum. Getting 11 injuries doesn't help any club but we've certainly felt crippled by it in recent months with just unfortunate circumstances and it's all added up.

But certainly receiving the news of the result at Forest Green is has given us a lift because we began to fear it a little bit if I'm honest. There's no getting away from that because recent results haven't been good. On Saturday you'd like to think that we should play with a bit more freedom, try to relax the lads and just get them to pass it.

On team news…

We were hoping for Lloyd, he ran around for 10 minutes today on our home pitch but he's still not right. So again we without Lloyd Kerry which is a shame but Alex Pattison we're hoping should be fit.

On Saturday being our Supporter Thank You Day…

Someone said to me today we've doubled home attendances in the last five years and not many clubs can say that. We're pleased that they've stayed patient with us this season and we know they'll be disappointed with recent results just as much as we are, but there's also an understanding of the reasons that may have contributed to that.

So it's our chance on Saturday to thank them for the faith they always show us and for the reception that the lads constantly receive.

On the message to the group this Saturday…

Just play for the fans and really give it what for. They spend their hard earned cash watching the players and we need the fans with us. It won't be long before we come back for pre-season and we'll be fresh and raring to go again, but it's been a long old season. We set out to stay up, first point, and we've finally reached that. We'll be looking to excite the fans, play with passion and get passing the ball on the deck a bit more than we have been doing and enjoy it.
 
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