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Manager's Assessment - Mickleover FC

Manager's Assessment - Mickleover FC

Nigel Oldrini18 Apr - 20:10

'the result was all that mattered and we got over the line'

CN: A little bit nervy at the end there, but the play-offs are within touching distance now.

LA: Yes, a little bit nervy. Without them really creating anything clear-cut, I think we just showed both sides of the game today.

I thought the first half was absolutely outstanding. Maybe the best forty-five of the season, but certainly in recent weeks I thought we moved the ball really well. The first goal we scored was a great goal at any level of football, even Premier League.

Two Cruyff turns, a flick, a quick one-two and a defence-splitting pass and a good finish. A great goal. Second goal, a little bit of team play, but then an unbelievable finish from Diego.

Goals change games, it put us in the driving seat. A little bit disappointed in the second half because we conceded a set-piece again. We did it at the Uni last week, we've done it again today and it just invited pressure.

And then I think in the last 15 minutes we probably could have managed it better. We could have kept the ball in the corner a bit better; we turned it over too quick. We invited a few long throws into the box, didn't clear our lines.

As I said to the players, I could talk for five minutes about things I want to improve and the things that still need to be better, but there is no point today. Because the result was all that mattered and we got over the line. And I'd say, barring a 10-goal swing next week, we'll be in there, but we still want to go and win that last game.

CN: Going into the play-offs, obviously two important players, potentially Kev and Diego, have not been in the team recently. How important is it for those to be going in with some confidence?

LA: Everybody wants the best players fit. We're barely down to bare bones again, five-man bench, but two of them couldn't play.

Kev, we missed last week for unforeseen circumstances, should we say. He might have changed the game, we don't know. Diego's come back in, we felt today on a 4G pitch it really suits his game.

Being able to drop into the pocket, we know their centre-halves get drawn out quite easily and we can find the third-man runners. And that's exactly what happened for the second goal where Grats has chased in the channel and bullied their defender and we've scored from it. So, the bits we kind of hoped would work did work in that first half.

In the second half, I just think you could see the, I wouldn't say lack of confidence, but there were times we needed to take the sting out of the game, get our foot on the ball, wrap it across the pitch and play out the other side.

And I just thought we went in protect mode a little bit, went a bit more straight and direct down the channel. And then obviously at that point, you're just trying to win a fight, and, in the end, we won the fight and got over the line.

So, we're delighted with it. We just have to win the last game and we've done it. I think now we can prepare, rest and until the job's done, it's not done.

I keep saying to you, I don't panic. We've been in these positions from literally the very first game of the season. Over the last few weeks, we have had a bit of criticism, but since me and Matt have been here at Step 4, I think we've spent our pretty much three years inside the top six.

We're doing something right and I just want fans to stick with us. Loads of support today.

Had some really nice conversations before the game and even after the game.

They were a few of the fans and we want a big crowd next week. Let's push us one more over the line. We need a point to guarantee it.

Well, let's go and win it. And then listen, for me, that'll be first objective ticked off. That's what we needed to do before a ball was kicked.

We wanted to be in the playoffs. Looks like we're going to be. And then, let's see if we can go and tick off objective two.

CN: Finally, you touched on it a moment ago, the injured players on the bench, particularly Ben and Evo. What is the likelihood of them seeing them in a yellow shirt again this season?

LA: Evo, maybe. He was sore. Touch and go for today. If this was the very last game of the season, he might have tried to play on it, but it wasn't worth the risk. We have another game to go and then hopefully playoffs, obviously.

Rhodesy, probably not. Probably not going to be right. Lewis Austin is just trying to nurse his ankle until the end of the season and he needs good rest.

Matt Bowman, knee tweaked two or three weeks ago at Boldmere. We thought he was going to be minor, but every time he does a fitness test, it's just not there. So, we're going to wait and see on him.

Yes, bare bones, Jordan's limping at the end there. Curt's got a bit of a knock, but listen, I can't complain because every club will say the same. I'm sure in-house, everyone's got their own problems.

So, we just focus on what we've got available. Southy had go centre-half, and I thought he was colossal, especially the first half. Whatever happens, square pegs round holes.

If we have to do it, we'll do it. We've got the lads in there who will run for a bit more for us. Jono again today, brilliant in there.

Curt, fantastic. Just loads of good performances. It's important we've got the result and we've gone and done it.

Lee Attenborough was talking to Chris Nelson

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