Caretaker manager Mickey Lewis's notes from today's matchday magazine
Welcome back as we take on Burton Albion this afternoon.
It is good to be back at home again today after three successive away games. It has been a good test for us with six of the last eight games away but we have come through that run in a good position to make a move in the last quarter of the season.
The last time we played at home we played very well against Mansfield and won the game 3-0. We scored three good goals and that meant there was a buzz about the ground at the final whistle. We all know that the home form earlier in the season wasn’t great but when the fans and the players are all enjoying the game and things go well then this is a very difficult ground for any away side to come to. Our aim is to carry on the form that has now seen us win three home games in a row.
The away record is still one to be proud of; it is still the best in the division despite the defeat at Rochdale last Saturday. We did enough in the first half hour and created a couple of good chances but once Rochdale got their noses in front they deserved their win. We didn’t look after the ball well enough and have no complaints but after the game we sat down with the players, talked about what happened and then all you can do is work hard and look to the next game.
Jake Wright and Michael Raynes came back last week, with Sean Rigg, Alfie Potter, Ryan Williams and Dave Kitson also fit again. This week Andy Whing and Jon Meades have stepped things up and joined in training again so we will very soon be at full strength once more. You cannot ask for much more as you go in to the last 12 games.
Away from the playing side I would like to thank the fans for the way you have supported us in the last few weeks. I like to come out before the players at games, especially away from home, and every time I come out there is a fantastic crowd making loads of noise. We will need plenty of that for the next two months please.
Finally, I wanted to use these notes to thank everyone on the staff for the help, support and professional way they have behaved over the last few weeks. When Chris left after five years people naturally wondered what was going to happen but we are very fortunate here to have a bunch of people who work selflessly and only want what is best for the football club. I would like to thank Mels, Browny, Al, Andy, Spike, Dan, Chrissy and all the rest of the coaching and medical staff but also the office staff and the people at the Academy. The recipe for a successful club is good players, good staff and great fans. I am proud to be surrounded by all of those things.
Mickey Lewis