Ahead of 1874’s trip to Dudley, Chris Herbert gave his thoughts.
“Dudley are a very good side and are in top form, over the last 20 games their form would have put them in the play-off places above Brocton, so they are no mugs as we saw at our place in our last meeting. We were really poor that day and didn’t give a good account of ourselves at all. Their pitch and set up is excellent so I expect us to be a lot better with our football and expect Dudley to be the same again and in our faces. It will be a good game of football and the best team will come out on top on the night.
Saturday was a good first half and we made changes to protect lads with niggles and injuries during the game and it upset the rhythm of our play. It shouldn’t do, because we have too many good lads with experience that should be able to organise on the pitch and keep us on track. But it was a poor showing in the second half and it’s not how we should be performing in any game, regardless of the situation of us already being in the playoffs. We set high standards and we need to keep to them.
Tonight night we are the walking wounded – but no excuses, as this will now give lads a chance to get their place in the team to start in the playoffs.
Anyone that has ever been involved in playoffs will know how good it is and it’s like a cup final, with big crowds and exciting football. If it was me, I would be taking advantage of the lads who are out and do everything in my power to make sure I take their place, if that’s not their mentality, then they shouldn’t be playing football.
Liam Fitzpatrick (ankle) John McGrath (shoulder damage) Mark Jones (concussion) Matt Woolley and Chris McCann (both with pulled calves) Jack Atkinson (rested) Mark Reed (work commitments) Scott McGowan (long term) all missing, so let’s see if the lads stepping in can take over their role with a big performance and give the coaching team real headaches.”