Nigel Adkins has reflected on a positive week for Tranmere, which has seen his team keep two clean sheets.
The Rovers boss was looking ahead to Saturday’s trip to Sutton United, an important match with the sides separated by two points in League Two.
ON COMMITMENT FROM THE SQUAD:
“It’s massively important. Can we have commitment. Can we give everything we can for the cause. Give the best of you every day. The two performances recently, and Stevenage as well, everyone is working so hard.”
ON POSITIVES FROM THE LAST WEEK:
“Being a previous goalkeeper myself, I always want to keep clean sheets. Defence wins championships, they say, but goals win games. So, there’s a balance on that one. Joe Murphy coming in against Wigan did ever so well. Luke McGee kept a clean sheet in the previous game against Forest Green. What a good game he had as well. Some exceptional saves and a real fan favourite, which is good to see. We had a good shape. From that, we transition to play some good attacking football.”
ON CONSISTENCY:
“I’m very positive in my outlook. I like to think that rubs off on everyone else. This is our culture. You come in early, speak to people. Push yourself, extract every ounce of potential, be supportive of your teammates. Teams before self. It’s about daily habits and behaviours. If we get our performances right, hopefully we’ll be consistent in our results as well.”
ON SUTTON:
“It’s another tough game. The stats will indicate that they’re number one for directness in their play. They’re a big side, so we know set pieces will be a threat. We know we’ve got to defend well. Likewise, when we’ve got the football, we have to be very efficient on how we use it.
“At the end of the season, the league table won’t lie. We’re at a stage at the moment where our focus is just on the next game. Make sure we get the behaviours right through the course of the week. Give ourselves the best opportunity to plan and prepare as best we can to go into a game and give our best.”
ON TEAM NEWS:
“It’s a real shame for Luke [Norris]. He’s worked hard to get himself into contention. I would suggest he’s going to be out for several weeks. He’s had a couple of scans which have been inconclusive. He’s going to have further investigation. We’re going to make sure we get the correct diagnosis and treatment programme.
“Joe Starbuck has an ankle injury. Paul Lewis has a hamstring injury, he’ll be out for a few more weeks yet. Josh Hawkes picked up a thigh injury against Doncaster. He’s tried to come back, but it’s not worked out for him. He’s out of the equation at the moment. One or two players have little niggles. Chris Merrie missed the weekend’s game. Lee O’Connor and Brad Walker came off.”
Image: TRFC
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