Danny Cowley looked back on the season-defining performance at Milton Keynes Dons before expanding on what it would mean to achieve promotion ahead of the Cheltenham Town game this weekend.
MK Dons: It was a great feeling after the MK performance; one that could be shared with so many away fans. DC heaped praise on the players explaining that it is easy for him to formulate a game plan but much harder to expect the players to execute that. Against MK every player showed incredible application to apply it to the letter being on the exact blade of grass at the right time for every moment of the game. Imps were really organised without the ball and were even able to adjust their press when needed which is not easy. It allowed the Imps to contain and frustrate MK through conspicuous organisation on a huge pitch. The second part of the performance was epitomised by bravery in possession demonstrating the ability to circulate the ball to change the angle of attack allowing City to overload and ask questions of MK in areas they were not so strong. Key to that process was receiving it in difficult areas whilst remaining patient to draw MK forwards which opened up areas in behind to exploit.
Cheltenham: If MK was an A grade performance then an A* will be needed against Cheltenham as City will keep the internal pressure on themselves with the desire to win promotion in front of the home fans. Those that were there against Macclesfield for NL promotion will remember how good that felt. The players have been told that however good the victory against MK felt that will be multiplied 100 fold should City beat Cheltenham. It will not be easy as Mike Duff is doing an excellent job, Cheltenham are in fine form. They are compact and very well organised without the ball; difficult to break down. It is important to watch out at set pieces with them scoring 45% from those sources. The group have trained well this week presenting as determined and motivated.
Players and Partnerships – DC typically did not single out players by choice but nor did he dodge answering questions directly put to him about individual players. Matt Gilks has a larger than life fantastic character and ‘you’ know when he is in the room. He brings a smile to the face. The training environment is one that is relentlessly serious and MG has brought fun and joy into that.
Danny Rowe has had a scan earlier in the week that came back all clear and has the green light for selection consideration.
Bruno Andrade had the early part of the week off but has been back in training. DC is proud of the performance he put in after the two injections drawing laughter when DC joked he hadn’t given Bruno an option having pinned him down. Obviously, it was the player’s choice as it is always about their career and Bruno had put the team before himself – determined not to miss the game. With Bruno, the injury is about latent stiffness in the ankle so much work has gone into loosening that area off.
Shay McCartan has been terribly unlucky having scored the wonder goal at Swindon before picking up a knock which allowed DR to come in and perform so well. SM has continued to train well without ever complaining and came in to contribute so well as a team player. DC regularly speaks to Bradford and the player who despite being a loan player feels like one of our own. DC is hopeful of reaching an agreement in due course.
Mark O’Hara and Tom Pett complement each other so well. MO has a top work ethic allied with the athleticism to provide superb pitch coverage. DC questioned how people could call Lincoln a direct side having the diminutive Pett showing incredible bravery and huge responsibility on the ball to get ‘us’ ticking.
Jason Shackell has been incredible this season, top quality which is underscored by a centre half who has only been given two bookings. Together with Bossie, they form a formidable partnership which drives themselves and the rest of the team on, that extra 5%. DC was asked if the players would be partnered again next year and he did say none too convincingly that he was hopeful for that outcome.
Promotion, What it Would Mean and Outside Critics: DC was asked what promotion would mean personally to him. Whilst happy enough to address that, DC was keen to quickly expand his answer to incorporate the broader picture. DC started by saying in his life L1 has seemed an awfully long way away. To be within touching distance of that would be pretty special. The plan has always been to win matches and if you win enough it simply puts you near the top at which point becomes an opportunity. there is always a short, medium and long term plan in place. It gets tougher the higher ‘you’ go so a promotion this year would be the biggest and best of all. The great thing about success is that it creates further opportunities with hopefully further positive experiences. DC dearly wants promotion which would take Imps within one division of The Championship.
L1 is a tough league with big clubs which would lead to fantastic challenges for ‘us’ and the players who are so deserving. The players have been brilliant. The supporters deserve to be at least L1 if not well beyond that. Everyone can be collectively so proud if promotion is achieved. It would be nice to be part of a cause where the fight has been for something all together, so much greater than simply for himself. That is how it feels and why the MK result had left such a proud feeling.
People have questioned ‘us’ as players, managers and ‘our’ playing style. DC is not motivated to change opinions, rather to play winning football whatever it takes. City have a brilliant flexible group able to exercise adaptability to achieve that. DC is not bothered what outsiders think as ‘we’ know and that is what matters. Others see City twice a season and make assumptions. ‘We’ have kept quiet all season and let ‘our’ football do the talking. DC doesn’t want to tell everyone how we play so is happy for ‘them’ to perceive the Imps as one dimensional. DC was prefaced with an impressive array of stats. regarding the season before being asked if Paul Tisdale’s description of the City team as proficient and efficient as somewhat underestimating their season-long efforts. DC smiled as he recalled the 1990 World Cup winning team won the greatest football competition through being proficient and efficient. If that was good enough for them then it is good enough for ‘us’.
Writer: hulloutpost
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