We spoke to head coach Mike Williamson ahead of Saturday’s game against Doncaster.
“We've had a good week again,” he said. “The boys have been good, and I always make reference to our positive performances being on the back of a solid week's preparation.
“You can feel the energy and the emotion building, but we know how difficult it's going to be on Saturday. Doncaster are a very good team, and we've got to make sure that we hit the high levels that we can.
“We just have to stay focused and concentrated. That's the main takeaway for me. We've seen patches in the previous games of the way we want to play.
“When we get on top and we've got the momentum with us, we just want to keep trying to extend that. We felt Saturday was a good performance. The result didn't reflect that, but we've just got to stay focused on detail and making sure that all lads are turning up every single day with that desire to improve, which they are.
“The lads have been buying in from day one. It's just the time it takes to make conscious habits unconscious. We don't have to stop and think, we want them to just react then we're on that front foot.
“Like I’ve said numerous times, the lads have been fantastic and come in every single day and try to give everything to every session, which is the foundation of what we're trying to build. We know we're still going to have stumbling blocks along the way and we've still got a long, long way to go.
“We're enjoying that process and we've just got to make sure that we stay focused and hopefully get the points returned that the performances in the last few weeks have required.”
Doncaster have started the season well and see themselves in third in the table, and Mike agreed that it would be a good test: “They certainly are one of the better teams. The manager has been there a while now and he's had opportunities and many different windows to really recruit the profile that they want. Sharp and Ironside up top have a lot of experience there, and we know how good Molyneux is having played with him myself.
“We know the threats they carry, but ultimately their energy, their understanding and their discipline is extremely good. We've got to make sure that we match that and then we play our game.”
United have numerous injuries, illnesses and suspensions to contend with, and we asked Mike for an update on those: “JJ has been back in training, he's joined in, but he's not been able to get to the load that would give him the possibility of being involved this weekend, but it's really good signs.
“We thoroughly enjoyed watching him yesterday on the small side of games. It's positive on that note.
“Georgie has had another week of training so he should be able to be involved this weekend. We’re speaking on Wednesday and I never want to speak too soon, but he's had a really good week last week and started the week this week well, so as long as we have no issues. We're in the middle of trying to train now with frozen pitches and things like that, so we've just got to make sure we're careful, but we're hopeful.
“Aaron Hayden has recovered from his illness. He was tapered in training yesterday. We've just got to make sure that we do it right, but he should be fully fit for Saturday.
“Harrison Biggins hasn’t been involved with us yet. He's been building his load up with Sophie, so we're hopeful that he'll be back in the near future, but at the minute, he's still looking to improve.
“Archie has had his surgery now, so he's going to be on the recovery and rehab, it was frustrating for all of us and for him especially. He was still working on his fitness and his aerobic capacity whilst he was waiting for the operation, which is a tough thing mentally to have to do, but he did it, he was focused and fingers crossed everything goes smoothly and he's back as soon as possible.
“Charlie has had his staples out so it’s good for him to have a bit of progress, and hopefully he'll be coming in on Friday, so it'll be brilliant to see his face and get him around the lads. I think that'll be a real bonus for the lads as well.
“Terell came off for St Lucia the other night, he's felt his hamstring, he's let us know what extent he feels, but I think it's going to be a scan when he gets back to make any better assessment.”
Harrison Neal missed the trip to Bromley after picking up his fifth booking of the season, so he will be back involved, but Ben Barclay will have to sit out of the Doncaster game for the same reason on Saturday: “It’s a bit like one back in, one back out. It's disappointing for Barcs because of how good he was on the weekend.
“You can see he's starting to understand the detail and he's been a real catalyst in terms of his personality and his honesty around the place and in his training. But we've got Harrison Neal back, who's been huge for us, so that'll be pleasing.”
After three back away games on the bounce, Mike agreed it will be back at Brunton Park: “The fans were fantastic in the Wigan game, and they can be huge again on Saturday. They’ve shown up in numbers and created lots of noise in the handful of away games we’ve just had and we just want to continue that momentum. We’re looking forward to it.”
