Chris Wilder's notes in the Chesterfield matchday magazine
It has been a good week so far and now we need to end it the right way with another big game against a very good Chesterfield side this afternoon. We know that they have very good players and still harbour play-off hopes themselves. Looking at it, they may have to win seven or eight of their last nine games to reach the play-offs and that should mean that they will come here looking to win rather than shut up shop. Given the size and ambitions of the club they will be striving for a win to keep those hopes alive today.
On Tuesday night we enjoyed another memorable match with a win over a much-improved Barnet side. We should have won the game more comfortably but we stuck at it and got our reward at the very end. As
Scott Davies stood over the free kick I said to Mickey Lewis that it was about time one of these last minute efforts went in for us. I can remember beating Wrexham, Histon and of course York here in dramatic finishes in the early days but it was about time we got one this season.
It was a good ball in from Scott, a clever header from Tommy and brilliant that such a whole-hearted player as Michael Raynes was there to finish it off. He is such a 100% positive player and it was great to see him celebrating with the supporters when the ball went in.
We stuck at it in that game, Deane Smalley and Liam Davis came on and we went for it, and it was nice to give you a reward for your support and loyalty on a freezing cold night. The chairman publically complimented the majority of fans for the way you get behind us every week and sometimes that belief and support makes the difference in winning games. All we can do is keep positive and keep trying to win games for you. Against Gillingham, Port Vale and at Torquay, even in the second half against Rotherham, we have done well. It is easier when everyone is pulling in the same direction and your support will be a massive factor over the next eight games.
We have got some excellent results and performances and won some big away matches recently. Now our home form needs to match in the coming weeks. There are no more midweek games and the target becomes clearer with each 90 minutes. All we can do is keep playing on the front foot and try to keep our season going. Results went our way elsewhere on Tuesday but the most important result was here in OX4, and that needs to be the same today.
I would like to thank the chairman for some very kind words this week. I have always had 100% support from him and he is usually the first into the dressing room after games to join us. He, like all of us, just wants to keep the club moving forward and hopefully we will all be celebrating together come the final whistle.
Finally, I will be here again tomorrow to see the Ladies game against Everton. I came to the last one and really enjoyed my afternoon. There was some excellent football on display and I wish Richard Blackmore and his side the best of luck tomorrow. Hopefully they can add the perfect finish to a very good week for everyone who supports Oxford United.
Chris