United boss Keith Millen indicated after Tuesday night’s defeat at Salford that the trip to Rochdale could be a chance to mix things up as he looks to rekindle the confidence that led to a recent three-game winning streak.
“It’ll be interesting,” he commented. “I’ve said to the players, please come and see me one to one, because I don’t pick out individuals, come and see me and discuss how we can make you better.
“Whether it’s psychologically, whether they’re tired, whatever it is, I’ve got to try and help them. The good thing is I’ve got players coming in who are fresh and eager, and I think that’s exactly what we need right now.
“I think they will lift a group that’s been waiting for more options, certainly in the front areas, because we haven’t scored enough goals. Now I’ve got some good options, that’s what we wanted.
“I can’t wait to get them in the building and start working with them. We’ll be ok, we’ll bounce back from it, I’ve got no worries about that.
“But I have to try and get some of the lads to look at themselves a little bit. I’ll speak to them individually and try and find out what I can do to help them.
“The new players, I’d pretty much say they’re all ready to go. They’ve all been playing regularly. Jamie Devitt, we’re not quite sure, he’s probably not had as much game time, but he’s fit and training.
“They’ve all been involved in games, and I don’t think there’s any problems in that respect.”
“What we want now is a reaction,” he added. “We had nearly a thousand fans on Tuesday, brilliant, I loved it, fantastic having all them there.
“You want to go over and thank them, and they’re booing you. I said to the lads, that’s got to hurt. That is really tough to take.
“It’s right to go and acknowledge them being there. If they want to boo it’s up to them. If they’re not happy with what they’re seeing, I totally get that.
“But if that doesn’t hurt you - I’m embarrassed having to stand there and take that. If the players aren’t embarrassed as well then they shouldn’t be here.
“Some of them definitely need to look at themselves. I’m sure they will, they’re honest lads, but the difference now is I’ve got players I can bring in to maybe help them, take them out of the firing line, and that’s the decisions I’m going to have to make.”