With a clash against Ipswich Town next on the cards for the Whites this weekend, Wanderers’ manager offered up his thoughts as he previewed the game.
And after a harsh defeat against Brentford last weekend, here is what the gaffer covered in his own words earlier this week...
On player availability for the weekend...
Karl Henry has made good progress this week. He had a bit of a setback last week but whether he makes the game this weekend, we’ll have to wait and see.
We had a few niggles at the start of the week with (Filipe) Morais and (Will) Buckley, but they have both come through and trained this week.
Everybody who was available last week is available again.
On Harry Charsley settling into the squad…
It is important to get him out on the training ground with the team and he will benefit from that.
On Ipswich’s season so far…
They had a good result last week against Leeds United. Mick (McCarthy) always puts demands on his team to work very hard.
We know that with this game, no quarter will be given and we have to be ready for that.
On the last time we played Ipswich Town……
It was a very evenly matched, competitive game. A deflected goal for them in a period when we had a lot of chances kind of gave them a lift.
Over the balance of the game, we probably deserved something from the match.
They are a good Championship side and it will be a full on, competitive game as they all are in this league.
On Wanderers’ home form…
It is an important weekend for us. With Cardiff City winning against Mansfield Town, we have no game next week which I am pleased about.
It gives us that chance to get one or two injured players like Darren (Pratley) back for the next game.
Also, it allows us to get one or two “ins and outs” worked on. It gives us that bit of breathing space, but it just makes this game more important that we can go into the break in good spirits and out of the bottom three.
And finally, on Derik Osede’s involvement recently…
He hasn’t played a lot of football but when he came into midfield, I feel he is really getting his legs into that role now and you can see in training that he has played really well.
It always takes time when you throw players in who haven’t played a lot of first team football.
You can play in the Under-23s, you can train really hard but sometimes you do need those first team minutes to get up to speed and I feel that Derik is certainly doing that now.