Hayden Mullins spoke to the media ahead of Friday night’s Sky Bet League Two fixture against Chesterfield at Rodney Parade, discussing County’s performance against Cheltenham Town, squad availability, the importance of maintaining belief and the challenge of facing a play-off chasing side.
Mullins reflected on Saturday’s defeat to Cheltenham Town, admitting his frustration at the result but praising the performance and determination shown by his players.
The frustration for me is that we lost the game. We didn’t get anything from the game. The performance, though, for large periods, I was very, very happy with.
We restricted them really well, so not a lot on our goal. For me, we were the ones pushing. Fifteen attempts on goal for us away from home is very good.
The manager highlighted the missed penalty as a key moment in the contest but insisted he was pleased with the character his side showed throughout the game.
If that goes in, then it’s a completely different game in the end. I said to the boys on Monday that we’re exactly where I want us to be.
As a manager, seeing my team out there fighting to the end was pleasing to see, but there’s frustration at not taking any points.
Mullins provided an update on squad availability ahead of Friday night, confirming that Matt Dibley-Dias would be unavailable following a scan, while Yahya Bamba had returned to training.
Dibs has had a scan, so we’re waiting to see the results of his scan. Dibs won’t be ready for the weekend.
Yahya has been back out there training, so we’ll have to see how he comes through and where he’s at tomorrow.
The manager also discussed the opportunities available to players stepping into the team, praising the squad’s ability to adapt despite several absences through injury and suspension.
The players who we are missing is obviously disappointing, but it gives an opportunity for someone else. I think the boys have shown when they’ve stepped in that they are ready to go and they’ve taken their chances.
Looking ahead to Chesterfield, Mullins acknowledged the quality of the opposition but believes County can compete with the division’s strongest sides if they maintain their standards and approach the game positively.
Chesterfield are a good side. We respect them, but by no means will we fear them and take a back step.
We want to try and confront them and make it tough for them on the day. We’ll be setting up positively and looking to try and get a result.
Mullins also praised the support of the Amber Army, particularly the more than 1,000 supporters who travelled to Cheltenham Town last weekend, and called on the home crowd to get behind the team once again on Friday night.
To have over 1,000 fans away at Cheltenham was unbelievable for us. It was just disappointing we couldn’t give them a result to go away with.
At Rodney Parade this season, the noise has been excellent. We’re going to need them again to cheer tackles and duels and those moments. We need them to really get behind the boys and help push us to a positive result.