00:00Tommy, 3-0 defeat against Boreham Wood today, thoughts on that?
00:05I thought they deserved to win. I can't have any qualms. I thought they out-fought us, out-battled us, out-ran us in the vast majority of most areas of the pitch.
00:13And that's not something I could say quite readily all season. So that's frustrating. I'm frustrated because I'm not going to say I'm disappointed with the players because I'm disappointed for us all.
00:23We're all in this together. I was stood here 12 months ago, delighted to be still in the division. So we've got to really take a step back and have a look at the whole picture.
00:32I understand fans are frustrated. One or two have really let me have it as I've walked down the pitch there. But I just think you've got to remember where we've come from and hopefully where we're going to.
00:41So by all means, be frustrated, be disappointed today, but we've got to get back on the horse. We've got two games left to play and who knows?
00:50There's still a chance, obviously, isn't there? And a long trip up to Gateshead on Wednesday, obviously, second time going up there and you've just got to try and get that response there.
00:58Yes, well, I hope it doesn't rain. So, yes, that was a wasted journey last Tuesday. But like I said, I haven't really looked at the results and so I don't know exactly what's happened.
01:07But I can't do anything about the things that happen away from our games. We've got to concentrate on ourselves.
01:14We've got two games to play and we'll be trying to take maximum points from that. That's been our mantra all season and it won't change.
01:20Obviously, so much progress has been made over the past 12 months. So, sort of a chance to take stock and try to remember that?
01:27Yes, I think so. I think some players here probably think or feel they should be playing at a better level.
01:32I think that's a stark reminder to the fact that a season doesn't last six or seven months, it's nine months.
01:37And some of my players who've played a lot of football, in fairness to them, are just probably over the precipice of the hill that they climbed.
01:44And it's happened at a time where it's really, really going to, could possibly cost us for that end of season, you know, shower bang.
01:50So, yes, we're all frustrated. Fans, players, myself and the staff. But we're in it together as far as I'm concerned.
01:57And I know there'll be the hardy odd soul who comes up to Gateshead and we won't throw any towels in. We move on.
02:05Six-match winless run, obviously not in an ideal time, but there's still something to play for.
02:10Yes, well, there's always something to play for. There's always points on it.
02:13I think the competition's been skewed for many teams this season for different reasons.
02:18Pitches not being suitable to play, so having to play in other parts of the country and things like that.
02:23But, you know, the level of football or the level that we're playing at, I just believe there needs to be a little bit more professionalism on that part.
02:32And we've produced a pitch every day capable of, you know, holding a game at this level of the game and too many teams in this division haven't.
02:40And obviously that can skew things, can't it?
02:42It does. It skews the competition, really, because some teams are playing away from home every game because their pitch isn't good enough.
02:48And I'm not going to comment on any particular individual club, but there are a lot of clubs who broke a lot of rules in this league this season and we haven't.
02:56But, like I said, we've just got to take stock, understand the frustration of today.
03:02But that's what it is. It's today. That doesn't make the whole nine months on that, the eight and a half months frustrating.
03:07We've had some really good times and some really poor performances or tough watches.
03:12I understand that, but don't lose sight of the bigger picture.
03:16And just sort of how's the build up now before Wednesday, really?
03:19Well, we've got to have a head count. We've got blood pouring out all over Halffield's head.
03:23One of them's got a broken hand. We've got to have a head count Monday and then again Tuesday.
03:29So, we'll have two training days before we go up to Gator on Wednesday and beyond that, I couldn't tell you.
03:34But at this moment in time, I would suggest there's going to be certain lads who need to play because they'll be slightly fresher than the boys that have played today.
03:41It's just the backlog, obviously, of all the fixtures.
03:44Which is none of our fault. That's what's frustrating.
03:47We've had to travel the length and breadth of the country and then being turned away to go home again.
03:52It's been frustrating, but listen, it's football. It happens to all clubs.
03:56And I'm not using that as an excuse for today.
03:58At the end of the day, we've been really comfortable at home this season.
04:01I think that's only the third or fourth game we've lost in the league.
04:04So, that is a huge turnaround from last season.
04:07And that's progress as far as I'm concerned.
04:09If you can build on your home form, it's something we know we've got to improve last year.
04:12But we've won, I think, seven or eight games away from home in the league.
04:15Probably 10 or 11 if you include the cup games.
04:18So, on the whole, if you're asking me, Headmasters report the end of the season, not towards the end of the season,
04:23I'd say, listen, we've done really well, but we can do better.
