' Slade wants more improvement '
Sat Mar 21, 2015 9:00 am
Manager Russell Slade has said he's looking for more improvement when we face Birmingham City this weekend.
Sat 21st March 2015
Following on from the games against Brentford and Bournemouth, with Slade being pleased with both results, he's now looking for a win on home soil this weekend.
Speaking to the Official Site ahead of the game, he explained.
'Getting good results against strong Brentford and Bournemouth sides over the last two games was pleasing, as we hadn`t done that against the top sides yet this season. The resilience and the character in the side were much better. Since the January window shut, we`ve been looking at targets and seeing what might be available to us in terms of strengthening the group. It seems as if we`ve achieved a little bit of stability, togetherness and that bonding element, which can galvanise the group to go forward. It`s very difficult with a large squad, but with a smaller number it`s much more realistic. Even the players on the bench are making an impact, which is exactly what you want from a group.'
Slade says now the aim is to continue to show that progress and whilst he knows there will be ups and downs before the end of the season, he wants the squad to show that foundation so we are in a good place going into next season where hopefully we can really push on given the work that has been done at the club since he came in.
With the shock move of Matt Connolly to Watford, having already said it was a business decision - namely money reading between the lines - he went on to say that he feels we have good options at the back now anyway - especially when people properly return from injury.
He also did however confirm it's not at this stage a loan with an option to buy, that bridge would have to be crossed come the summer if an offer was made - but it also made sense given Connolly lives so close to the Watford ground - so it does sound like he's off even if that's not been put in stone yet. Just has that feeling about it as Slade goes to pain's to stay he isn't not in his plans for the future, but on that score, why not keep him involved then?
'After this weekend`s match we should have Lee Peltier back available, and even Ben Turner could be back involved soon; we`ve pencilled in the sixth of April as the date that we might have him returning to training. That will help in giving options at the back; there will be more options after Saturday.'
He then went on to say that over the summer he'll be targeting three or four to really strengthen the core of the squad.
'If we can bring in three or four to strengthen our core of players this summer, and get a good pre-season, which is something we didn`t have this time around, that`ll be a huge bonus. We`re planning that already, and it`ll be longer than six weeks, as we`ll be coming back in June for preparation before the main six-week progress. There could well be another trip abroad too, so it`ll be a busy time for us. It`s the most crucial time of the season.'
As for Birmingham specifically, he went on to say about the game.
'I think Gary`s done a very good job since going there in stabilising the club. They were in a bit of a freefall when he went in. He`s made them a difficult nut to crack, and they`re strong with pace and craft going forward in the forms of Clayton Donaldson and Demarai Gray. They are a nicely balanced side now, and it won`t be an easy game.'
Expecting a tough test though he goes on to say that we'll be taking the game to them on home soil, and having felt hard done by at points by not taking advantage of chances when we have been in the driving seat during games - namechecking Charlton and Blackpool specifically - he went on to say that hopefully that home win can now be got and everybody can have a good lift again.
Sat 21st March 2015
Following on from the games against Brentford and Bournemouth, with Slade being pleased with both results, he's now looking for a win on home soil this weekend.
Speaking to the Official Site ahead of the game, he explained.
'Getting good results against strong Brentford and Bournemouth sides over the last two games was pleasing, as we hadn`t done that against the top sides yet this season. The resilience and the character in the side were much better. Since the January window shut, we`ve been looking at targets and seeing what might be available to us in terms of strengthening the group. It seems as if we`ve achieved a little bit of stability, togetherness and that bonding element, which can galvanise the group to go forward. It`s very difficult with a large squad, but with a smaller number it`s much more realistic. Even the players on the bench are making an impact, which is exactly what you want from a group.'
Slade says now the aim is to continue to show that progress and whilst he knows there will be ups and downs before the end of the season, he wants the squad to show that foundation so we are in a good place going into next season where hopefully we can really push on given the work that has been done at the club since he came in.
With the shock move of Matt Connolly to Watford, having already said it was a business decision - namely money reading between the lines - he went on to say that he feels we have good options at the back now anyway - especially when people properly return from injury.
He also did however confirm it's not at this stage a loan with an option to buy, that bridge would have to be crossed come the summer if an offer was made - but it also made sense given Connolly lives so close to the Watford ground - so it does sound like he's off even if that's not been put in stone yet. Just has that feeling about it as Slade goes to pain's to stay he isn't not in his plans for the future, but on that score, why not keep him involved then?
'After this weekend`s match we should have Lee Peltier back available, and even Ben Turner could be back involved soon; we`ve pencilled in the sixth of April as the date that we might have him returning to training. That will help in giving options at the back; there will be more options after Saturday.'
He then went on to say that over the summer he'll be targeting three or four to really strengthen the core of the squad.
'If we can bring in three or four to strengthen our core of players this summer, and get a good pre-season, which is something we didn`t have this time around, that`ll be a huge bonus. We`re planning that already, and it`ll be longer than six weeks, as we`ll be coming back in June for preparation before the main six-week progress. There could well be another trip abroad too, so it`ll be a busy time for us. It`s the most crucial time of the season.'
As for Birmingham specifically, he went on to say about the game.
'I think Gary`s done a very good job since going there in stabilising the club. They were in a bit of a freefall when he went in. He`s made them a difficult nut to crack, and they`re strong with pace and craft going forward in the forms of Clayton Donaldson and Demarai Gray. They are a nicely balanced side now, and it won`t be an easy game.'
Expecting a tough test though he goes on to say that we'll be taking the game to them on home soil, and having felt hard done by at points by not taking advantage of chances when we have been in the driving seat during games - namechecking Charlton and Blackpool specifically - he went on to say that hopefully that home win can now be got and everybody can have a good lift again.
Re: ' Slade wants more improvement '
Sat Mar 21, 2015 10:26 am
When is he going then ?
Re: ' Slade wants more improvement '
Sat Mar 21, 2015 10:34 am
Cringe worthy
Re: ' Slade wants more improvement '
Sat Mar 21, 2015 5:17 pm
Improvement we shall get. 
