Chris Wilder looks ahead to tomorrow
United welcome Wycombe Wanderers to the Kassam Stadium tomorrow with the U’s looking to do the double over their Buckinghamshire neighbours. United won 3-1 at Adams Park back in October and Manager Chris Wilder is looking for a repeat performance this weekend.
“We have had some really good games against them over the years” Chris told Yellow Player. ”I remember a fantastic atmosphere at their place in the first season we were back in the league and we have had three or four really good games and will be looking to do a double. We haven’t done the double over too many teams but have an opportunity on Saturday. Beano and Tommy scored two really good goals in the first game, Johnny Mullins was in a rich vein of form at the time, and I thought it was a deserved win.”
TheYellows get the chance to put a few things right against one of their local rivals, having lost to a late goal at Aldershot last time out:
“Without a shadow of a doubt” said Chris. “There wasn’t a shouting match after Monday. The two most important groups at any club are the supporters and the players. Sometimes the players need to sort it out themselves, and I think the leaders in that group did on Monday because they were really disappointed and it showed that they cared. But one point out of the two games at Easter isn’t good enough to lift us up the table.
“The players always get the opportunity, especially after a defeat, to go out there and show what they are all about, and that is all I have asked them to do this week; show what you are about as a player, show a reaction, show that you are better than that and make it happen. I think it’s a good game to be involved in and a local derby. I’m sure it’s not going to be a couple of taxis down from Wycombe. I understand why there was a reaction at the game on Monday from our fans and I understand the frustrations. All I can say is that wasn’t a very good day for the football club. There have been plenty of good days if people see a bigger picture and look at it the right way. I think the personal stuff was not great but I understand that there is a big frustration, and we are the most frustrated group at the football club.”
That frustration has simply hardened the Manager’s resolve as his side go into the last four games of the season with the play-offs seeming to be tantalisingly just out of reach:
“For 15 months, possibly since the last time we played at Aldershot, we have been dealt a hard hand and it has been the toughest year of my career since being involved in football at 16. I have had disappointments individually as a young player, collectively in teams, and I have had disappointments here. But you do what you believe is right. I believe 100% that we are not a million miles away from cracking it. I believe 100% that if we had a fully fit squad we would have been close to going up, without a shadow of a doubt and if the player recruitment is right in the summer then that can happen.
“I’m not saying that performances have been great recently but you do get lacklustre performances like the last game sometimes; that happens. The players let themselves down and we all let the club down in terms of getting the right result on Monday, but you have to stick your chest out and show a reaction. There is no hiding place for me or the players and we have to move on with it. My desire to really do well has been hardened and all you can do is get your head down and keep believing in the process and what you think is right. Keep working as hard as possible and hopefully you get the rewards at the end of it.”
See the whole fascinating eight minute interview with Chris in Yellow Player right now, plus a 20 minute Preview Show ahead of the game. Player will also have live commentary and match highlights, plus interviews with all the key men after the match.