Read back the manager's thoughts following Saturday's victory over the Valiants
Wanderers won 2-0 away at Port Vale on Saturday to remain in the driving seat for automatic promotion heading into the final day of the season.
Second half goals from David Wheater and Gary Madine sealed the points for the Whites, who were made to wait to secure their return to the second tier after Fleetwood Town clinched a last-minute win.
Speaking to bwfc.co.uk following the final whistle, manager Phil Parkinson covered the following points…
On the hunt for automatic promotion going to the final day…
We said it was always going to be tough and every point we’ve gained this season has been hard-fought.
To get promotion, you’ve got to earn it and we’re going to have to earn it.
On his side’s performance…
I’m really pleased with the way the lads have played. This is a difficult place to come. It’s a massive pitch and they were very hot, sticky conditions but we controlled the game for large periods.
We were nice and solid, we looked a threat going forward and there was a nice calmness about us in what was a pressurised game so we’re absolutely delighted with the three points today.
On another away win…
It’s the twelfth away win of the season. You need certain characteristics to get away wins and we’ve shown them in abundance.
On the support from the fans…
The fans gave us magnificent backing today. They know that it was an important win for us. With recent results not being great, it was important for us to get back to winning ways.
If we hadn’t won, even if the points difference with Fleetwood Town remained the same, there would have been a different feel about next week. We were back to our best and the fans have seen that today.
On another goal for David Wheater…
Number eight for Wheats. He’s been a colossus for us all season on and off the pitch and I am very pleased for him.
On the return of Gary Madine…
You’ve got to give Gaz a lot of credit. He’s come in over the last few days, been a lot more positive and wanted to play.
The doctor has travelled down with us, given him injections and strapped him up. His all-round play was good and he’s got the goal.
He can get another week under his belt now and prepare himself for next Sunday.
On Jem Karacan’s first start for the club…
I thought Jem was excellent. He played really well, has lots of energy and has real quality on the ball.
Some of the runs he made second half were excellent. He looked a real threat for us.
He has been in these situations before. He has played in high-profile games before and played in the Premier League and he looked like that player today.
He relished the occasion and I’m very pleased with his performance.
On Jay Spearing’s injury…
He just got whacked and twisted a bit awkwardly. He tried to run it off but it stiffened up a bit. Thankfully we’ve got a fantastic replacement in Derik Osede.
On the week ahead…
I’m pleased to be going into the week with a win. We haven’t got the rewards for the level of our performances in recent weeks.
Today we have and that will give us a huge confidence boost. We’d have loved to get the job done today but unfortunately we haven’t been able to.
We now need to have a good week on the training pitch and go out all guns blazing next Sunday.
And finally, on Wanderers’ season finale against Peterborough United…
This is it, one left now. It’s all to play for.
It will be a terrific day for us to be involved in at the end of the season with everything to play for.
Now it is up to us to keep our cool and get over the line next week.