Harrogate Town AFC

Watch Simon Weaver's pre Northampton interview here…
 


The Gaffer on training at the EnviroVent Stadium on Easter Sunday…

It's been a while since we've been here training and we were just saying now before the session it reminds us of when we started out in full time and trained every day here on the 3G pitch. It's been good to train on the pitch and something a little bit different for the players being Sunday morning as well. Someone told me yesterday it was five years ago that we beat Tamworth or it might have been Blythe but it just shows you that yeah we have struggled of late but in terms of when you look at the bigger picture we've come a long way

The lads came in as they always do. They're an honest set and smiles were on the faces once that ice from the other day is broken. Once the disappointment is blown away you have to go and start the engine running again and be positive. We're looking forward to another big day, it's away at Northampton who are going well and will have a big crowd as well. We just want the players to really go out and enjoy the last few games.

On the mounting injury list…

It hasn't happened for a long time. We look at the stats off the pitch as well as on it and I think it was 2012 when we last had eight players out injured it's been pretty difficult of late, but I'd say the spirits are still up there. I think everybody's consistent around me, they've brilliant and it's lively around the players and that's how it has to be.

On the plan for Northampton…

All will be revealed tomorrow but we know that whatever line up we choose, we've got an honest group and we'll be giving what for. It's a difficult opposition as they're a physical, strong team but they also play as well and tomorrow we'll have to mix it up ourselves. It's a good set up there and a good pitch.

On Northampton's defensive record…

I think they've got good defenders. Guthrie and Horsfall have got good pedigree at this level and played a lot of games, hundreds of games between them and throughout their career have got better and better. They've shown terrific dedication in their career to chip away at the game and get better over time.

On defending set pieces against Northampton…

We've got to make sure from deep and wide free-kicks that we keep a sensible line and then defend in sync, cover around each other, make sure we're winning the first ball and if we're not winning the first, win the second and also leave space for the keeper to come through and show his strength.

On whether we can approach the game with a ‘nothing to lose attitude'…

I thought our fans were brilliant the other day against Swindon and I think they know that it's been a long, hard season but with that, we've learned a lot. I think they recognise the honesty in the players and even in the last 20 minutes, no one downed tools. It was just a difficult day at the office, which you get in football sometimes.

I'm hoping that we've got a good away following behind the lads all the way and we keep encouraging the players till the final whistle is blown on the final day of the season.

#ProudToBeTown