Ahead of Thursday night's trip to Barrow, we spoke to Mark Hughes.
Speaking to CUTV, he said: "It's a local derby, which is a little bit far away, but at the normal distances maybe it's a little bit further than most derbies, but it's still a derby and it's one we want to win.
"It's obviously vitally important to us in terms of where we're going to finish at the end of the season, so those maximum points is what we're looking for.
"We came close at the weekend once again and it's about taking that final step. I think we're very, very close. The players themselves believe that it's only a matter of time before we get back to winning ways, so hopefully it'll be on Thursday against Barrow."
The clash at SO Legal Stadium will be broadcast live on Sky Sport Football.
"I don't think it'll be any different in terms of the circumstances of the game. It can't be any more important to us than it already is and the edge to our game is brought on by our circumstances really. So, yeah, we're looking forward to it.
"I think the players are enjoying what they're doing at the moment. They know they're playing well enough to win games and are creating chances. We haven't got the worry of wondering where the next chance is going to present itself and where the next goal is coming from.
"I think we're creating really, really good chances but we're not converting them. So, although it's not ideal for us, it's something to be encouraged by. At least we're getting into good positions and having good opportunities to make the most of the important part of the game, which is sticking the ball in the back of the net.
The Blues will be backed by 930 supporters in a sold-out away end on Thursday evening.
"The fans have been great, I have to say. Once again, at the weekend, certainly in that last period when they can see the players are really pushing the game and trying to get a positive result for them. They were really right behind us once again, as they were in the other games.
"We're going to need that. I think everybody understands we're all in this situation together. We've got to try and maximise every opportunity to make it easier for ourselves, that goes for fans and everybody connected to the club as well."
When asked how preparation had changed due to the game being played on a Thursday night, Mark stated: "Not to any great extent. It's actually given us an opportunity to just have a little break, just an extra day recovery. I think that's important, given the last couple of weeks has been difficult for the players.
"Some guys can embrace it, others find it more difficult. So, it's important that I acknowledge that we've had difficult games away from home as well, which haven't gone our way.
“It was a good opportunity just to reboot, in a certain degree. They were very bright today, which is what I wanted to see. So, leading into the game, it's still the same, leading time two days before the game itself. So, it hasn't really impacted too much.
“The only thing really negative is that it would have been nice to have another full week, which we had last week and we reaped the benefits of that. So, it wasn't to be, but we take positives from it anyway.”
It was back-to-back clean sheets for United, but we put it to Mark if it was worth considering sacrificing some solidity to score goals. He responded: “I can't say that we’ve been negative or just tried to block teams out. I think that's not the message I've been giving the players. We have to try and win games. The idea is that you have to get enough bodies in around the opposition box and create opportunities and cause a bit of chaos if you can, because a lot of goals at this level follow from maybe mistakes in key areas of the field.
“We've got to create that ourselves. We create that with momentum and energy.
“I think we've displayed that for the most part in every game we've played. It's certainly not a case of just blocking teams out and hoping we get a breakaway goal, because I don't think we're best served playing that way, because that's not the type of players that we have.”
It does feel like if we can get a goal, the floodgates could open and it could be the start of a good run. Mark felt the same, saying: “I agree with that. I think it's only a matter of time. We just need somebody to take that moment and convert the opportunities that we've created.
“It only takes one goal, one winning goal, and that can change our outlook totally. I think that's the only thing that's missing. We all know that, we all realise that, but it's a case of getting the job done and making sure we're able to win maximum points, because that's the key to us getting out of this situation. So, we'll continue in the same vein.
“I think we're showing progress, we're positive still. I feel it's only a matter of time, and I believe the players feel that way as well. So, that's a good situation.”
Mark updated us on player fitness, after Archie Davies and Callum Guy both returned to action on Saturday.
“We got everybody through the weekend. It was a big effort. Our fitness levels are higher, we're producing higher numbers in terms of physical output as well.
“That's important for us when we go into games. We have that confidence once again in terms of physicality to go from start to finish. The last two games we finished really strongly in the last part of the game, so that'll be important.
“So, all in all, I'm pleased with what we're producing.”
On the likelihood of others returning soon, Mark said: “Georgie [Kelly], no.
“Josh [Vela] is back in full training. We'll see how he goes this week. Maybe Thursday might be a little bit early for him, but he's very close as long as he has a good run at it training-wise. Then, yeah, he's going to be an option soon.”
