Gary Waddock's notes from today's matchday magazine
Good afternoon and welcome back as we take on Accrington Stanley. A warm welcome to the directors, staff, players and fans from Accrington, and to manager James Beattie who is doing an excellent job in his first managerial role.
We have to approach this game in a positive manner despite two defeats over Easter. I thought we were a little unlucky to lose in the manner we did against York in our last home game. You never like to see a big game decided by a refereeing decision like that. The ball struck Dave Kitson’s arm but I don’t know how he was supposed to get out of the way of it. That one moment decided a very tight game but in reality we created enough chances to win it.
The same was true on Monday at Scunthorpe where we were again beaten by the narrowest of margins. Just one lapse of concentration at the back divided the teams but right at the end we had two golden opportunities to at least get a draw out of the game. I can’t fault the effort or the work ethic in that game; indeed, I cannot fault the way that the players have worked ever since I arrived.
However, it will take either Southend or York slipping up to get us back into the play-offs now. I have seen stranger things happen in football because both those clubs are going to be under pressure today. We, on the other hand, can go out there and just give it everything we have. If we can get a win then who knows what could still happen?
If we are to do it then the players have to show real character and strength. There is not much to choose between a lot of teams in this division but it will be the ones with the mental strength and the togetherness that will win promotion. The players have two games now to show me that they want to be part of the future here and play a part in the success that the club is gearing up to achieve.
The fans have been first class all season. I thought you were brilliant at Scunthorpe; travelling the length of the country to support your team in numbers is a great effort and you kept urging us forward during those frantic extra minutes. It is a massive help, home and away, and whatever happens today and at Northampton I would like to thank you for your support this season.
If these are to be the last notes of the season then it is only right to end by thanking the backroom and office staff for the hard work that they have put in this year. They have made me feel very welcome and worked tirelessly on behalf of this football club. We will all be putting in one last effort to end the season on a high.
Gary Waddock