Reds Manager Danny Wilson addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s home match with Bournemouth in the Sky Bet Championship.
Starting with team news, Wilson confirmed the definite absentees for Saturday are Bobby Hassell and Martin Cranie, whilst Peter Ramage and Ryan McLaughlin have made positive progress from their respective injuries.
“We're as we were last week,” said Wilson. “We might have one or two back in tomorrow.
“Cranie's (hamstring injury) is worse than Ramage in terms of the clinical side. He'll be longer getting better. Ramage is close but not close enough. He'd be a gamble.
“Speaking to Cranes this morning he feels a lot better already. Hamstrings are crafty though. You have to be very careful with injuries to them.
“Ryan (McLaughlin) came back today. He's another one we’ll have to assess. He's not in a position to say that he's fully fit because we know he's not. He's not played enough games. But we know what he's capable of doing.”
This week also saw the departure of Assistant Manager Micky Mellon and Goalkeeper Coach Ian Willcock, to which Wilson continued, “With Ian and Mick it was one of the toughest decisions I've had to make.
“It was a decision I had to make, personally. It was down to myself, not the club. It gives me no pleasure when people lose their jobs. It was nothing to do with their input.
“It was done professionally, honestly and properly. The lads understood it which says a great deal for their point of view.
“At this moment in time there's nobody coming in. If anything does transpire in the meantime it will be done very quickly.”
After last Saturday’s early demise against Watford, Wilson is sure his side can get back to winning ways.
“We can't afford to be doing what we have been recently in giving soft early goals,” he added.
“We have to find a way to eliminate those. Playing at home we're a different mentality. I don't know why but we're a different kettle of fish at home.
“We have to be strong, brave and show our conviction on the pitch.
“The fans have seen it. They've been behind us and been great recently. If we can have the stadium bouncing like we have before we'll stand a great chance.
“I'd like to think what's gone on the focus will be completely on Saturday.
“There's a quarter of the season to go. We feel we've been in this position and understood it for too long.”
Saturday’s visitors, Bournemouth, are hoping to better their best ever league finish of the 1988/89 season where they finished 12th – the position they find themselves in today.
“They're a very good footballing side,” added Danny of the Cherries. “Having watched them midweek against Charlton, we know if we sit off them and allow them to play then they will.
“We have to be on top of our game but we are a different proposition at home.
“We'll have to make sure we are on the front foot.
“We can't play with that fear. They have to go out there and clear their minds and play the game.”
