We’ll be taking a sizable contingent to Wrexham tomorrow afternoon and that’s greatly appreciated by Johnnie Jackson, as we prepare to face the third-placed side.
Since the one-all draw between the two sides at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on the opening day of the season, we’ve only lost twice on our travels in League Two. However, Saturday’s hosts have only suffered one defeat all season at STōK Cae Ras.
“We’ve sold out the away end I believe,” said Johnnie on the touchline at our New Malden training base for today’s final session.
We'll be boosted by over 1,100 supporters cheering the team on.
“That’s incredible that so many will be travelling all the way up to North Wales," added Johnnie. "It’s fantastic support and I’m delighted that they’ll be coming in their numbers. We want to put on a performance for those going up there and if we do, normally what comes with that is a positive result.
“Let’s concentrate on that - giving everything for the shirt, putting in a performance and then we’ll come away with a result.”
You can listen to everything Johnnie had to say and read a summary of key points below.
It’s a busy time off the pitch, what’s the very latest on the transfer front?
We’re working hard, looking at the market and having conversations. We have to be careful about what we divulge, but we are working really hard on targets that we think we can perhaps bring in.
We’re not going to do anything for the sake of it. It would have to be someone who is going to add something to this group. My main focus has always been to keep this group together and there’s that to look at too.
The January window is tricky. I think if you asked most managers, they don’t look forward to it. It depends on who you are and where you’re shopping and things like that! If we had millions of pounds to go and buy who you want, then a manager would be really excited by that. We know where we are and what we need to do.
I’m excited about what we’ve got here in the building. We’ve got two lads who are away on international duty - in Omar Bugiel and Ali Al-Hamadi - and that makes us feel a little bit short in numbers at the moment, but they’ll come back to us and we’ll be stronger when they do.
Have you got injury updates on Alex Pearce and Josh Neufville?
Both are unlikely to be with us, unfortunately. Pearcey went off with a thigh injury against Ipswich in the FA Cup last weekend. It doesn’t look too serious, but he’ll miss Saturday and probably one or two more games and then hopefully we’ll have him back with us.
We’re a bit more uncertain about Josh. He’s got a bit of an issue with his back. It was something he was playing through with at one stage, but it’s got too uncomfortable and too difficult for him.
We have to be careful with back injuries. If he misses a few games now, that will be for the benefit that we have him for the rest of the season. It’s a difficult one to manage and has to be monitored quite regularly.
Lee Brown is not out here today, what’s the situation with him?
He had an issue with his back, a back spasm, after the game against Oxford United. That’s made it difficult for him to train over the last couple of days.
He’ll be unavailable for the game against Wrexham.
Photos: Pro Sports Images.
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