We spoke to Mike Williamson on Friday morning ahead of our clash with Cheltenham on Saturday.
We began by asking Mike if he’d debriefed Tuesday’s game, and if there had perhaps been some tough conversations. He said: “Not in terms of any disagreements. Ultimately, it was a difficult one, a tough night.
“When we watched it back, we felt we were overpowered. That's always disheartening and hard to take. But we accept where we've got to improve.
“The lads are in full agreement that this is a huge game and that's where our focus is.”
On where we need to improve for Saturday, Mike said: “We've got to make sure we threaten the back line. We did it in our last home game a lot more.
"We had a lot more forward runs and intensity to our game. But we're disappointed in the manner of conceding the goals. But also, we need to be more threatening as well.
“So, we've looked at a few certain things that we're working on. We will today as well. We'll be thoroughly prepped and looking forward to tomorrow."
We asked Mike if, during the time the owners have been over, if he’d spoke to them and they’d perhaps re-assessed their aims, given our poor start. He said: “The conversations when we came in was about how we know the owners' aspirations and where they see the football club. It was about us coming in and making sure that, firstly, our priority is to win football matches.
“There's no excuses for that. But, obviously, there's a process in which we're trying to implement our methods. That is going to take time.
“So, for me, we focus game by game. I'm not going to put any stipulations on what I see for this season.
“We're in the situation we're in. It's a very tough one. We're going to have to scrap to get out of it. But I've got every confidence that when we're able to turn it and we can put a run together, then we can move our way up the league."
We then asked Mike if he felt things had perhaps been a bit harder than he expected, from when he first came in. He answered: “No, I don't. You never know what you're going to walk into. But we knew the lads. I saw character and spirit. I saw a team that felt down and things were going against them.
“That's what we knew we were walking into. But, no, I've been pleasantly surprised by the personality and the lads. How much desire and how desperate they are to turn it around.
"Obviously, it's going to take time and it will happen.”
The Blues have started slow recently, conceding early goals which has given us a mountain to climb. We asked Mike how important it is to turn that round, and start on the front foot. He responded: “Hugely, hugely important. I'm somebody who wants to win every area of every football game.
“Everyone puts an emphasis on the start of the game. But our mentality is if we do start slow, then we have to find a way to grow into the game. But, the manner of the last game, we want to make such an emphasis on being on the front foot, being really aggressive and making sure that we play the majority of the game in their half."
On our opponents, and what he expects, Mike said: “I think they're going to press the life out of us. I've played against the manager before. He's got experience and he'll want to put it on us.
“So, we've got to come up with ways of how we think we best beat in the press. But they've got an experienced team and they'll have a game plan for us. But, yeah, we're focused solely on ourselves and our preparation.”
On to injuries, Mike first discussed Sam Lavelle, who came off with what looked like a broken nose on Tuesday night:
“I haven't seen him since his seven-hour visit to A&E. I don't think it’s been straightened yet.
"But any mention of being straightened, he wanted to put off because he doesn't want to miss any minutes. So, again, testament to him.
“He didn't want to come off, even though there was a lot of blood streaming from a lot of areas of his nose.
“I spoke to him yesterday. He's just caught up on a bit of sleep. He feels absolutely fine and he wants to play.
“I'm expecting him to want to come in and train and play. Obviously, I’ll speak to the medical team and we'll assess it and we'll see how it goes in training.”
We also asked how Charlie Wyke was, after he missed Tuesday’s game through illness, Mike said:
“We haven't seen him yet. But I am expecting him in and around. And, again, it'll just be something that we touch base with and see how it goes.”
On Archie Davies: “Again, something I haven't had a chance to follow up. He's had a bit of time off. It's difficult.
“He's been home with his family. So, I'll speak to Sophie [Birnie] this morning and find out and see if there is a decision. But I think he was aiming towards the conservative route and trying to build it and strengthen it rather than havin surgery.
“Because that does shorten his amount of time out and he's desperate to get back.”
Dan Adu-Adjei has been back in action for Bournemouth’s development side too. Mike gave us an update on him: “He’ll be back on Monday. We expect him to be available to play. We’re very excited to have him back.
“We know how good he is and we've obviously played against him and watched him. And we've got to make sure that we do it right. But, no, he'll be back Monday ready and preparing for the weekend.”
On Jordan Jones, Georgie Kelly, Dylan McGeouch and Ben Williams, the gaffer said: "None are imminent, but not too far away. So, again, they're working extremely hard. And, hopefully, we're talking about them being back next week or the week after.”
Anton Dudik went on loan to South Shields yesterday, Mike spoke about that: “It’s important he gets some minutes. We really value him here. And since we've come in, he's been brilliant. You know what you're going to get with him.
“He trains hard. He's an excellent finisher. And, yes, trying to explain to him yesterday that it's his best interest that we've got at heart.
“And he's definitely part of something that we want to bring back in. But I feel like for his development, he does need match minutes and exposure. So, I think it would be really good for him.”
The Blues also progressed in the Cumberland Cup this week, with a youthful side taking to the pitch at Gilford Park. We asked Mike why he chose not to play the likes of Jack Ellis and Jude Smith, he said: “Well, again, at the minute, our numbers are low. And we've just got to be careful.
“So, yes, of course, minutes are important. But, the squad in the first team games are most important. So, we just wanted to be careful with that.”
