Harrogate Town AFC

Watch the Gaffer's pre Tranmere Rovers interview here…
 


The Gaffer on defeats against Hartlepool and Bristol Rovers…

It's hard to bear, really, because in both games we were thinking actually, we're in the driving seat here. Even more so at Hartlepool because we scored and you're looking for the group to really drive it home, smell blood and go and get the three points. But we've had a few factors really that have stemmed the flow of attacks and the momentum in the game.

Firstly, we need to grit our teeth and when we are under two to three minutes of pressure, not concede, it's as simple as that. We need to have greater intensity in our defensive third, not drop too deep, get right in the faces, make sure we make the blocks, make sure we make the tackles and make sure we're not beaten easily like we have been in in recent weeks.

On a positive opening 30 minutes against Bristol Rovers…

The score lines aren't always a fair reflection of the territory in the game and the possession and the good football that is being played. I'd be doing a disservice to the players if I just said and brandished it all with an atrocious performance. I think even at 3-0, the lads showed spirit and kept trying to go. We had some good performers out there but when all is said and done, we've conceded goals this year and quite often we've had the numbers back to deal with situations and we haven't, so that has to be better.

On what we can learn from playing the likes of Bristol Rovers and Tranmere…

Let's get it right, these are accomplished teams and big squads. I spoke to their (Bristol Rovers) assistant manager after the game and he was saying just how their squad has been added to and you can see they've got quality when they don't have to be dominant in a game and they'll put one in the top corner.

That was a moment of class and you've got to give them credit for that but their support didn't need to be roused too much for it to be a great atmosphere from their perspective. It's difficult in those environments but it's one that we should be relishing really and enjoying the fact this is what we wanted to be when in the National League North and National League. Yes, we've slipped up from the early season form, but we've got to show mettle now and make sure we dry up the goals that we concede and finish strongly.

On whether being 14^th after 35 games is a realistic position…

I think with the goals scored and goals against, it's fairly middle of the road. We've scored a lot of goals and that suggests with the creative side and the attacking side, we've got it right. But defensively, the amount mindsets out there who can and will defend, we haven't got that balance right and that's why we are where we are.

We knew were never going to have it plain sailing. We knew that two years ago, we knew that this summer. It was an electric start but you have to be realistic. We've built it on a core group that have travelled all this way with us and we're proud of that fact.  Our identity hasn't been like some clubs that have gone up, ripped it up and started again. We give people opportunities at this club and it's up to them to take it
 
Injury updates…

It's very unfortunate (for Brahima) because I think they (Bristol) alluded to it after the game as well that he was a big loss for us. We were in the driving seat with him causing all sorts of problems. Unfortunately, he's out and back with Huddersfield today having a scan. Lewis Page looks like he's out until the end of the season and Will Smith is still not back after illness over the weekend but Simon Power hopefully is over the fever he had and will be back in the squad.

On recent contests with Tranmere…

They've been tight games and it's a good place to visit and a good pitch. Again, it's a partisan support that we have to expect and have to handle. These crowds are optimistic now and their fortunes have changed; like Bristol, Hartlepool and Tranmere tomorrow.

We've got to show the character being one of the smaller clubs in the league to handle those setups and for our heads not to get fuzzy when under no pressure at all at times. We've got to grow, we've got to get better but it's a challenge as they're a good team and so we just have to get out there and believe it.

#ProudToBeTown