Archived News from May 2004
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Manager Keith Curle has given his players a day off today before they make final preparations tomorrow and Saturday. And he has the luxury of an almost full squad to choose from. Only striker Iyseden Christie, who is seeing a specialist with his broken foot today, is unavailable. Liam Lawrence has recovered from feeling ill early this week and Bobby Hassell, Tony Vaughan, Tom Curtis, Jake Buxton, Alex John-Baptiste and Wayne Corden have all shaken off injuries to be in contention. "It's a good time to have so many players available," said Curle. "Of the 24 players, all of them could play. "We have a small but very capable squad. It's not like we have 17 first team pros and then six or seven inexperienced youngsters. "I know there is a buzz around town about getting to Cardiff. But we are not even thinking about the second leg yet. It's one game at a time and we are focused on getting a result at Northampton on Sunday. "I said last summer that my players would be mentally and physically stronger this year. These games will test that. But I take strength from my belief in them. "They have to believe in themselves and go out there and perform. I can't make them do it. It's down to their own inner strength. "The last thing I will say to them before they go out on the pitch will be to tell them to enjoy the occasion, be part of it and don't let it pass you by. Opportunties like this don't come along that often. "If anyone is scared of going out there and performing then they have no right to be at this football club." He added: "Training has been very good this week. You can tell it's simmering. There has been a lot of anxiety, bitching and crisp tackling and passing. "There has been a real competitive edge which is the environment I like. I've said all along you should train the way you play. We wil need that controlled aggression on Sunday. "From playing Northampton last week we have identified certain weaknesses in their game. But our focus is solely on ourselves. "Obviously we all want to get to Cardiff. But we have to keep a lid on that at the moment while it's simmering. As they say, if you take the lid off too soon you can spoil the sponge!" |
Latest | May 2004