We spoke to Mike Williamson, following our hard-fought draw at Port Vale.
It was a good performance from the Blues, and could’ve been more than a point. Mike began by saying: “I thought we started really well.
“We maintained it for the majority. The conditions here, I think, made the game really tough. It was really hard to smooth it out at times.
“But I thought the grit and the determination, the effort, obviously with so many issues as well, I think it was fantastic.”
United thought they had the lead early on, as Luke Armstrong forced the ball home, only for it to be disallowed. We asked Mike if he had any clarity from the officials on why it was chalked off, he answered: “I think him and the defender are at each other and he'd give a free-kick against Luke for that.
“For me, you could see the centre-half had his shirt as well.
“Disappointing, but I thought Luke was fantastic. Obviously, in a difficult situation in the last few weeks, he's come in and put an excellent performance in.
“I'd say all we can really focus on in effect is the preparation and the desire and intensity and the togetherness. I think JJ came off frustrated there because he created some really good moments himself.
“And then that was just the final kind of action which was half an inch away. So I could say the amount of issues we've had this week, we've had illness go through the camp, Jon Mellish has thrown up at half-time, doesn't bat an eyelid, comes out and puts a performance in like that.”
Another positive was that we once again went toe-to-toe with a side at the top end of the table. Mike agreed, saying: “Yeah, it was. We know how difficult it's going to be. The amount of games we've played recently against a top-six team, it's not been an easy run.
“But I thought we've gone toe-to-toe with the majority of them, not all of them. Again, today, there's still areas we want to improve. And of course, we wanted to end product, the quality, a few actions defensively.
“But the endeavour and to see the lads defending and putting their bodies on the line. Stockley up front is an absolute handful for 90 minutes, but it was testament to the boys.”
Another clean sheet too, which Mike was happy with: “Yeah, and I thought it was a real collective from front to back.
“Obviously, the centre-halves, I think, are going to be a bit black and blue, taking an absolute battering, having been in a tough game. But the energy that the front lads offered, the desire that they had to try and stop it at source and cover the ground, yeah, it was excellent.”
Mike made four changes today, with the squad hampered by injuries and ravaged by illness, yet the players who came in gave a fantastic account of themselves. Mike said: "Everyone that came in that hasn't had much football recently did themselves proud, did the club proud.
“And that's what we need, obviously, with the festive fixtures coming up. There's a lot of football, thick and fast, and we're going to need everyone.”
We asked Mike about the absences of Callum Guy, Kadeem Harris and Ben Williams, he explained: "All missing through illness. They were all due to travel. And like I say, I think there's a lot of lads out there that are probably carrying certain things, but probably not as severe as the boys that have missed out.”
On the importance of the next two games, home clashes with 23rd placed Morecambe and 22nd placed Accrington, Mike said: “Yeah, incredibly important. But we dust ourselves off and it's just focusing on the next game, which, of course, yeah, the place where we all are, it's a huge game.”
Finally, Mike spoke on the excellent 661 travelling fans: "We need them 100 percent.
“You could hear them at the end. They showed their appreciation. Lads stood there as well for a while.
“Obviously, again, the sacrifice they make, the noise that they made, it was a real spirit collective. I mean, we're definitely going to need them at home.”
