Glyn Hodges believes that the experience gained from last year’s League One survival will stand his players in good stead for this season’s crucial run-in.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s visit to play-off chasers Doncaster Rovers, Glyn said: “We just need to relax and not get tense. There are nine games left and out of those nine people are targeting certain ones and thinking there’s going to be a walkover, but there’s been matches when there has been surprise results. We could potentially win any of those nine, so it’s just a case of grabbing as many points as we can.
“I don’t feel the pressure. You look at where we were last season and where we are now, it’s chalk and cheese. A lot of this squad stayed up by achieving the mission impossible last year and they had that experience, so we are in a good place. A lot of teams around us haven’t experienced that, but we have, so there’s a good feeling and a knowledge of how to go about it. That’s not to panic. There may be some results that don’t go our way, but it’s just about making sure that we are fit to do what’s required.
“We drew with Doncaster at home and we felt that we could have beaten them in the cup, but we lost the away game after we felt we should have gone ahead. We beat them at home in the league and I felt at that time it was a really good test for us as they are on the edge of the play-offs. We want to match them and it’s one that we go into with no fear. It’s a game we are looking forward to.”
Glyn reported that Will Nightingale has started light training after putting a hip injury behind him and there are no fresh injury worries ahead of Doncaster.
“There is only Paul Osew out injured. Hopefully, he might get back before the end of the season, but that’s looking doubtful. Will has got the go-ahead from the specialist to go out on the grass and work with our Sports Scientist Chris McConnell, so fingers-crossed he can get back. It looks like we have a full complement to choose from.
“They (players coming back after injuries) need minutes. Woody had 45 minutes and Adam Roscrow had 70. We are just mindful that with nine games to go everyone needs to be fit, up to speed, and if they are needed, to give their all for the club.”
Take a look below at the full interview with Glyn.