Following a huge win on the road at Fleetwood Town, we spoke to Mike Williamson.
Speaking to CUTV, he said: “I want the boys to enjoy that. We certainly are going to.
“Mixed emotions because of the contrast of the halves again. I don't want to talk about anything that wasn't good because there were things there and I think that those things are obvious and we need to nullify, we need to get rid of them in our game. But yeah, the spirit that got us through and even after missing chances and then taking that blow, conceding for us to come back and get the win was really enjoyable.
“We've created some good opportunities that we didn't take and then obviously we got the goal, which was really good. And then our mission, our challenge to them is, right, we've got to keep those habits consistent and make sure we don't just step back emotionally because of the pressure building and we did. But then, like you say, the recovery in the game was fantastic and the fight and spirit in the end was brilliant too.
“The lads have really had to show both sides of it. We spoke about it at half-time, but I just think the circumstances we're in, we're so desperate on the pitch, but as much as we can, we've got to keep that composure and not concede territory unnecessarily and not allow them to get balls into our box unnecessarily.
“I think we put more strain than we needed to. But again, just the never-die spirit that we saw, exactly what you alluded to, I think is as big as the win.”
Speaking on Sam Lavelle’s late winner, Mike said: “ I didn't actually see it because I was too busy looking at what changes we were going to make.
“The emotion that it brings and I've got to say the fans were sensational. And yeah, of course, we'd like to be sitting here and enjoy an afternoon 2-0, 3-0 up. And if we took our chances, I think it could be that and it could have been a bit more relaxing.
“But to do it in that manner, I think, yeah, was special.”
Talking on Cedwyn Scott’s opener, he said: “He gets goals, Ceds, and he understands it.
“It's the biggest jump in maturity I've ever seen. And that's not saying he was very immature when we had him at Gateshead, but how much has come on in the time that he's been away. And now he's the one really drilling into the boys because he understands it.
“He knows where everyone should be. And I thought, yeah, he played really well today.”
That vital win lifted the Blues off the bottom of the Sky Bet League Two table, now five points from safety.
“This has got to be the catalyst. So it wasn't pretty at times, and we've certainly got much more quality in us. But the result and the manner of it and this feeling, we've got to use that. And we've really got to use that to go into a tough Notts County game with all that confidence and belief.
“Tighten up tactically and mentally. But yeah, we've really got to use that as a springboard to move forward.”
Paul Dummett had to exit the action five minutes into his debut, speaking on that, WIlliamson said: “It was about his hamstring, unfortunately. I think it was just one of those unnecessary, unfortunate, sorry situations where, you know, he was devastated last week of not being involved.
“Unfortunately today, that is football. But, you know, he's experienced in there. He was on the bench. He was talking to lads and getting us through. I think his experience will still hold a lot of weight for us.”
Touching on the return of Terell Thomas, he said: “He really embodied the performance, I thought his quality in the first-half was fantastic. His leadership in the second-half.
“We were told he shouldn't play more than 60 minutes. But, you know, he's one of them. He's on the front foot. He's been speaking to us every day saying, I want to be in, I want to be in. So we had to hold him back to not risk anything. But today he's come through. He's just got to recover hard now.”
Speaking on Stephen Wearne’s absence, the gaffer stated: “[He missed the game through] illness.
“I think a few of the lads, I think JJ was a little bit under the weather. Ethan is a little bit under the weather. But I can't do anything about it.
“But Wearney got hit big with it. So he's been away this week.”
Terell wasn’t the only player returning to the matchday squad after a spell out with an injury. Speaking on Ethan Robson who made the bench, Mike said: “It adds real strength, depth and experience.
“He’s somebody who adds real personality around the place. So really important. Obviously the nature of only having to make an early sub with Dummy wasn't ideal, which is unfortunate.
“He's working hard and hopefully we'll see him soon.”
Looking ahead to our trip to Notts County on Tuesday night, Mike said: “We've got to build off the first-half performance again. We've got to learn.
“We've got to use that as a catalyst. And that energy and the connection we felt with the fans, you know, it's all just got to be a real foundation for us to jump up the table and move forward..
Finally, speaking on the 1,087 Blues that made the trip, Williamson said: ”I think they could be the difference for us because you could see the reaction when we went a goal behind and then the energy that we got from them to get the lead again and then to hold on to it. But in the end, it was special.
“It's not the position we want to be in by any means, but moments like that are really important in football and in life to really enjoy them. But we've got a tough game Tuesday, so it never rests.”
