Conor Hourihane spoke to the media ahead of this weekend’s trip to high-flying Gillingham.
The Reds skipper wants to make sure the squad remains focused on their football, and extend their winning run after a very busy week.
“It’s been a mix of emotions and a rollercoaster week,” Explained Hourihane. “It was fantastic for everyone involved to get to Wembley then we only had a couple of days before the gaffer leaving, then the game to take care of on Sunday.
“After Sunday it was a case of chilling out for a couple of days and taking everything in because after Fleetwood there was no rest, it was straight onto Sunday. Our heads are back on now and we’re looking forward to Gillingham.
“I think we showed there’s been no disruption whatsoever with our performance on Sunday. The lads and myself speak highly of Paul Heckingbottom, he’s been involved with me since I signed and he’s a knowledgeable coach, the lads have high respect for him.”
The Reds have won seven straight League One matches, and Hourihane is determined for that form to continue, but also realises that the squad must keep working hard to achieve that.
“It’s been mad!” He quipped. “If you said seven games ago we would win seven on the bounce and get to Wembley, you’d think no chance. But anything can change in football, when you get momentum and ride a wave it just seems to flow. Hopefully that’ll keep going for us and we’ll enjoy it while we can.
“Hopefully the play-offs are there, we’ll have to take it one game at a time and I know that’s an old cliché but you can’t jump the gun too early. We need to keep working hard and go to Gillingham wanting three points.
“I think it’s a big game. We won down there this time last year, so hopefully we can repeat that. When we won there last year we went nine games unbeaten so let’s hope there’s a similar situation.
“We’ve been taking game by game and playing well. I think we’re getting strong, the clean sheets have been vital and we’ve had a few recently after not having one for a while. It’s down to hard work on the training pitch and a real togetherness.”
