Graham Kavanagh ahead of the Morecambe game
United manager Graham Kavanagh spoke to us about tonight’s trip to Morecambe in the second round of this season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy competition.
“This is a game, just like any other, that we want to win,” he said. “I don’t favour any competition because it's about building belief and momentum and keeping things going.
“There’s obviously the prize money and the excitement that goes with a good cup run but the main thing for me is that winning games brings more confidence. We’ve got ourselves a little run going at the moment and we want that to continue.”
“Jim Bentley’s teams are very organised and they will want it as much as we do,” he continued. “They’ll be on a high following their result and performance at the weekend and they’re going well in the league, so we’re going to have to go there to do it properly.
“There’s a lot of confidence in our group as well so it should be a very good game.”
“Wembley is a fantastic place to get to and I’ve one won one and lost one as an assistant manager,” he said. “It’s an absolutely fabulous day out for players, directors, families and fans, and some of the lads in our dressing room haven’t experienced that. Their chance to do it this year starts for them on Tuesday night.”
And on the continued search for players to add to the group, he said: “We’re on the phone to agents and football clubs every day.
“We’re getting information about available players all the time. We have ten days or so, with the Wolves game being off, to try to increase the numbers and quality in the squad and that’s what we’ll be looking to do.
“We’re slowly getting bodies back as well, which is another boost. Lee Miller has had an injection, and we hope that will help to settle him down, and we’ve got Chris Chantler back in full training which is fantastic to see.
“We keep telling the players that everyone will be used this season. We’re all learning more and more as the weeks go by and we’ll need everyone to bring something to the party.
“Whoever plays, they need to know they aren’t just playing for the sake of it. They’re playing with a view to earning a regular place so I would expect to see the right type of attitude on Tuesday night as soon as we cross the white line.”