The manager's notes from today's matchday magazine
I wanted to start my notes today by thanking you all for your support on Tuesday. I said immediately after the final whistle against Wimbledon that when we went 2-1 you really showed your true colours and were the best I have known in the four years I have been here. It was fantastic to hear you get behind the players and try and drive them on, and the win was a true team effort from everyone involved, both on the pitch and in the stands.
It was such a roller-coaster of a match that it's only in the cold light of day that you can step back and look at the game itself. Over the ninety minutes we didn't defend brilliantly, and I wouldn't say that it was a vintage performance. But having said that, we dominated most of the match and created a host of chances and should have won it far more comfortably. After taking the lead early in the game we needed to kick on, but perhaps we lacked a bit of confidence to do that.
But then we showed unbelievable character to come back from 2-1 down. That took real guts to do, and I was pleased to see the strong team spirit and togetherness that we had talked about shine through. Simon Heslop came on and showed what a good player he is, and I was delighted to see Ryan Clarke make one of those magnificent saves that we have all seen over the years.
Everyone played their part on Tuesday, but I have never known a season like this for injuries. We now look like being without Michael Raynes and Lee Cox for the rest of this month after they had to come off injured. As they go through the door into the physio room we have Adam Chapman coming through the other way, with Andy Whing, Liam Davis and JP Pittman not far behind. I've never known anything like this run of injuries, either as a player or manager, but we have every faith and confidence in the players in this squad to keep getting us positive results.
It won't be easy today against the early league leaders. I know their Manager Martin Allen, and I like the guy. He is a great character and will bring a confident side and a squad of very good players today. But we know we have good players ourselves, and we are determined to build on the step forward we took in midweek.
It should make for an excellent game so let's pick up where we left off last time. If we all stick together, all play our part and all work as a team then I am sure we can get another great result.
Chris Wilder