United boss John Sheridan spoke at his Thursday afternoon press conference about the good run of form which has seen United take a regular slot in the top seven places of the division.
“If we want to stay in the position we’re in at the top end of the table it’s important we win as many games as we can,” he said. “It was a good reaction from the players to go to Bury last week and bounce back after a disappointing result against Tranmere. They did what they had to do to get the result.
“It doesn’t matter how you win, it’s the three points which are the important thing. I’ve said it before, I’d love us to play attractive football and create loads of chances and score loads of goals, but it’s all about winning.
“Sometimes three points can feel even better when you know you haven’t played great. There’s a long way to go in the season, but I wouldn’t mind a few more results like the one at Bury last week.”
“Although some people might look at the Bury result as a win against one of the fancied teams, I don’t think there are any fancied teams in this division,” he continued. “It’s a very evenly matched division, and if someone was to say one team was better than another I probably wouldn’t agree.
“Obviously Lincoln are the best team because they’re at the top of the league at the moment, but that’s because they’re the ones who have found the best consistency. Other than that, Exeter have had some bad results, as have Newport, and that’s just how this league is.
“For example, I’ve watched Grimsby a couple of times and they’re a good team, in my opinion, but they’re down the bottom of the table because they aren’t getting the results to prove that.
“I respect every team and I think any team can beat anyone in this division. I’m not going to say who’s better than who, and who I’ll think will be up there at the end of the season, because I’m just bothered about us. On our day, if we compete with the players we’ve got, we’ll compete with anyone.”
On the players he’ll be without as we head into the weekend game against Stevenage, he commented: “The only players who will be missing this weekend are obviously Jason [Kennedy], as well as Danny [Grainger] and also Jerry [Yates], who is suspended.
“Danny is possibly two weeks away, but that’s me just putting a number on it. You’re better off speaking to the physio to get a better idea. He came back into training then picked up a little niggle, and it’s one of those injuries where you’ve just got to be careful with it.
“Mike Jones has trained this week, so that’s another body added to the squad, so I’m comfortable with what I’ve got available. Mike has been out for a while and he’s only trained this week, so I don’t think he’ll be ready for Saturday.
“He’s a naturally fit lad anyway, and he’s looked sharp in training, so he possibly won’t take as long to get back up to speed as others might. He’s looked alright in training but we’re probably looking towards Tuesday or possibly Oldham next week for him. It’s a boost for him to be back and involved in the squad, and once he’s fit and ready to play he’ll be competing with the other lads in midfield.”
“Jerry [Yates] will miss two games, which means his place in the team is under threat, so that’s how he’ll learn his lesson,” he explained. “He’s worked his socks off during his whole time with us, and he knows he was stupid in what he said last week.
“He’s apologised to everyone, but he’s let himself down more than anything else. Someone will come into the team now, depending on who I play, and hopefully we get two positive results and it gives me a problem when it comes to picking the team for the Oldham game, when he’s back and available.
“There are plenty of lads who have been waiting for an opportunity to play and Jerry’s suspension will give somebody a chance. I’ll be comfortable that whoever I put in there will do a good job for us.”
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