Steve Evans talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
It was back to business for Steve Evans this morning as he started preparations for Tuesday’s match with Colchester United. We started by looking back over yesterday’s 6-0 hammering of Notts County.
Firstly, your reflective thoughts on what was an incredible afternoon at New York Stadium?
As always I have looked back at the match on the DVD but I already knew largely what I was going to watch. The lads’ performance was outstanding; some of our passing and power play was a delight to watch.
I thought we struggled to get going in the first 10 minutes but credit must also be given to Notts County who started on the front foot. However, when James Tavernier scored with a brilliant free kick it became one way traffic towards the County goal and it could have been any score at the finish given our dominance.
The win represented our biggest margin of victory at New York and I have to say our performance deserved it. I was especially pleased to see Harris Vuckic score a couple of goals, Richie Smallwood win the midfield battle and Alex Revell carry on with his outstanding form.
Yesterday you left out Claude Davis and Wes Thomas through injury, can you give us an update on those two and our injuries in general?
Big Claude just rolled his ankle on Friday morning so he should be fine for selection on Tuesday if required. He wanted to start yesterday but we are not in the risk business with player injuries given the squad we have.
Wes Thomas has a very minor thigh strain but again it is not about risking one of our key players. There is a good chance he will be fit for Tuesday but I will make a firm decision on that after we train on Tuesday morning.
The remainder of our squad are fully fit and available. We need as many options as possible at this time of the season. The lads are fresh, focused and ready for many tough matches ahead, the lads are buoyant and rightfully so.
What are your early thoughts as we prepare to face Colchester on Tuesday evening?
My thoughts are that it will be another very tough encounter; every match in League One is difficult. I have the greatest respect for the manager at Colchester and he has a number of talented players so we will need to be at our best for us to add to our points tally.
As always we have done our homework and I have just read a report this morning stating that Colchester dominated Leyton Orient yesterday and it was harsh for them to lose. The pitch will be difficult but we need to forget that and deal with what is in front of us. I will change the team and shape slightly for the match, we will prepare the lads properly and that gives them no excuses.
How do you think the League One league table is taking shape?
With matches coming thick and fast it can all change so quickly but I believe the Champions elect, Wolves, have hit the summit yesterday. Leyton Orient, Brentford, Preston North End and Peterborough United are exceptional teams as are the likes of Walsall and Port Vale so we are still fighting the battle to keep inside that top elite group.
There are a few people who seem to want to disregard our play-off aspirations, but I have told the players to ignore what these people say, we have to just remain focused on winning each match we play and in League One that is not easy.
I look in detail at the squads at some of the clubs in the bottom half, their respective positions in the League One table and it then reminds you of what my squad of players are achieving. We have a great team spirit, talented players and a real togetherness which is not easy to get in a dressing room and of course we have the most fantastic support week in and week out.