Steve Evans talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
We caught up with Steve Evans this morning at the club training ground with all his players reporting in for training. Firstly, we asked him for an injury update ahead of next Saturday’s local derby with Sheffield United.
Can you update us with the current situation in respect of players that are missing through injury, illness and of course International duty?
The current situation is really going to test us fully but we have a lot of tenacity in this group and we will focus on who we have available, rather than those that for one reason or another aren't.
David Noble, David Worrall and Mitch Rose have all been injured although I do expect David to be back in training at some stage this week. Young Rose will be missing for a while as it looks likely he will need a minor knee operation, whilst David Worrall will not be back available for first team selection for two weeks.
Claude Davis should be back in for training in the next day or so. The big man has been suffering with sickness but our Head of Medical Denis Circuit has told me this morning that Claude is now symptom free and available to train so we will see how he is.
Mark Bradley had to be withdrawn yesterday with a groin problem. It will be tomorrow before we have a real feel as to how long the lad will be out but it looks more like weeks than days and that is a real shame as he was just starting to produce some super performances.
Let us turn to a big positive and yesterday's performance and win away at Nott's County, what is your view one day on?
I have already watched back the match DVD and it really was an excellent performance. Over the years I have been involved in a lot of 1 - 0 victories but probably none as emphatic a win as this one.
We played with fantastic energy levels and the quality of our football was brilliant at times. We had some outstanding performances with the likes of O Connor, Morgan, Frecklington and Revell being at the top end of their game but I was especially pleased with Rob Milsom who I thought was our best player on show. The lad had lots of energy, displayed a superb range of passing, he had composure and was prepared to get on the ball in tight situations, that is being brave for me.
Notts County are not a bad team and they showed that against Liverpool last Tuesday but we dominated the match completely. We needed that second goal to go in to kill the match but no matter how hard the lads worked it would just not happen for us but we are on the right track.
This is a great squad we have but there is a lot of hard work still to be put in. These lads want to work, they want to win and everyone of them is pulling in the same direction. Slowly but surely those not pulling with us are found out and we move them out of this group.
Our supporters again travelled in big numbers and created a superb atmosphere for the lads, again a big thanks to everyone of you!
Given the injury situation, will that make any difference to areas of the squad you may strengthen?
I need to take the advice of my Head of Medical and then in turn seek the opinions of my staff, their opinions are considered thoroughly and very valuable to me. When I have considered everything I will then make a decision. If that decision is "Yes" I will speak to the Chairman and present the case and of course make my recommendations.
At this stage I would think it is perhaps likely we will do something positive but for the short term it may change the positions of the players we make a move for, but I really do need to look at the full picture before I can make a decision.
Moving on and of course next week brings another big match when neighbours Sheffield United come to the New York, how much are you looking forward to that game?
Yes of course, we all are but in reality it is just another game. We must never forget to look in before we look out, and this week we will be focusing on what we are about.
A minute in football is a long time never mind a full week so we need to use our time wisely. There will be a capacity crowd and a fantastic atmosphere. Sheffield United is a football club who deserves our respect and of course that will happen, in reality they are a huge club.
David Weir has recently been appointed and if what we hear is true they are about to have some major investment. At present they have a number of very talented players and like us a brilliant support to back them so over the season I have no doubt they will challenge for promotion back to the Championship.
Our preparation for this match will be no different to any other, we will know everything we need to know and again this match will be all about what we do or don't do.
We are very much a work in progress and lots to improve on, these lads are giving everything they have and I can ask no more but they also know I will accept no less.
Finally, are we expecting any players to leave?
None of the first team squad that are in my plans will leave, that decision has already been made.
Kayode Odejayi needs to move on if he wants to play football, that is solely his decision.
I perhaps need to focus on what and who we are trying to bring in, no player leaving will make any difference to that strategy, that is something I can be very clear about.