Following our goalless draw against Colchester United, we spoke to midfielder Callum Whelan.
Speaking to CUTV, he said: “I think we gave everything. Obviously, we've had a long week, a lot of travelling and been everywhere in the country nearly, so I think we started slow. We weren't really getting up to the ball and we were sort of a bit sluggish and not at the same tempo as them.
“Fair play, the staff changed the shape at half-time. The players listened to the instructions and I thought we were miles better second-half. We dominated, we ran harder, the crowd got behind us - the crowd has been magnificent ever since I've been here.
“The last 10-15 minutes, we're probably unfortunate not to get a goal. Embo (Elliot Embleton) has a worldy strike saved.
“We should be proud of ourselves. We've probably not got the rewards we deserve this week, but proud of the performances and proud of everyone's attitude.
“It's a clean sheet, finishing strong, there's loads of positives. It's something now we've got to get back in training, recover well and build on it.
“We need more clean sheets and we need to turn some games into wins and really get going now.”
Evaluating the opening 45 in further detail, Whelan said: “I just think we didn't get close enough to them. We set about starting fast and getting the fans on side with us and creating that atmosphere of, we're not getting beat today.
“I just think we weren't there. We were a bit slow, a bit sluggish. Obviously, like I said, we had a big old trip in the week, so it does take it out of you.
“We were probably lucky to be 0-0 at half-time, so then we had to grab that with both hands and make the second-half a lot better, which we did.
The midfielder had a fine chance on goal in the early stages after Kadeem Harris threaded a lovely ball through, but Whelo was unable to find the net.
Speaking on that moment, he stated: “I didn't really see the goal, so I just tried to flash it across and see if anyone got a touch or a flick off the defender.
“I feel like it was the same at Newport. Nothing really dropped for us, a few unreal saves from their ‘keeper. But work hard and keep working and things will start dropping and we'll start getting some wins.”
Mark Hughes changed shape and personnel at the halfway stage, speaking on that shift and the general message from the gaffer at the interval, Callum said: “Just that we had more in the tank. We knew we needed to get on the front-foot, get after them, take the game to them and, yeah, just liven up really.
“Go on the front-foot and we know that if we do that and we do the bare minimum, the fans will be with us and then it all of a sudden becomes a tough place to come and be the away team.
“So that was the message really, just more in the tank, so show it.
“I thought the subs were brilliant. We had got some pace on up front. A few of the boys come on who really made an impact. I thought all the subs were brilliant and as everyone can see, it really kicked us on and there was only us really probably going to win it in the last 15 minutes, 20 minutes.”
Matt Macey provided two stunning stops to deny Stephen Wearne and Elliot Embleton during the second-half. Talking about those chances, Whelan said: “It's one of those days, but I think more importantly for us, the performance was there, the work rate was there and there's a feeling that we can really go on a run now, like you said before, clean sheets and stuff.
“So if we keep working hard and everyone is fighting together, then chances will start falling, we'll start scoring, we'll start winning games, but it's definitely a positive day.”
Deep into stoppage time, United were awarded a free-kick in a great position. Prior to it being taken, Whelan was told by the referee that it would be the final piece of action before seeing his strike saved.
Discussing that moment, he said: “It looked a little bit far out, but yeah, we were going to try and work something where we tried to get Sam maybe a header, but yeah, the ref came over and warned us that it was the last kick of the game. So I thought bare minimum we needed a shot, at least an attempt. So yeah, we just tried to work shifting the ball and getting a shot and yeah, I ended up with the shot, the ‘keeper saved it and then unfortunately the ref blew when it's our corner, but he did warn us it was the last kick.”
Assessing his partnership with Will Patching in the centre of the park, Whelo said: “Me and Patch are obviously really good friends off the pitch as well, so I think that helps and yeah, I think we complement each other well. Same with anyone really, we've got a really good group and yeah, everyone's buying in and fighting together.
“So not just Patch, there's everyone, but yeah, I really enjoy playing with him. He's a top player and he compliments me well and vice-versa.”
Speaking on Mark Hughes’ impact so far, he responded: “It’s been really good.
“Obviously, it's not easy for anyone. The position we're in and then a change of staff. Before Grimsby, I think they were in like 24 hours, so you have to get to know them quick and yeah, they've been excellent.
“They've given us good information. They've made it clear how they want us to play. They want us to be on the front-foot.
“Like I said, we probably haven't got the rewards for the performances we've had, which would make it feel probably a lot better than it is, but yeah, it's been a really good start performance-wise and we are definitely due a bit of luck and to grab a win.”
Speaking on the supporters’ presence from the stands, the midfielder stated: “To be fair, since I've been here, the month or so I've been here, they've been unbelievable. But today, yeah, I think you can see when we give everything we've got, they respond and then we push on and it's sort of, you know, working together and we’re all in it.
“When they're going and pushing us on, like I said, the last 15, 20 minutes, when they're behind us, there's only us really going to score. So yeah, thanks to the fans. They've been amazing.”
Finally, Whelan was keen to express that the same was much-needed next weekend as we welcome Gillingham to Brunton Park, saying: “We have to start fast.
“We have to give everything we've got and then that gets the fans believing and that gets us believing and it's all a big process, going in the same direction and we'll be fine.”
