Our Head Coach sat down with the press ahead of our meeting with Exeter City at Oakwell this Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
ON KANE, CONNELL AND PHILLIPS
"All three are being assessed. It's still quite a short period since Tuesday so I think improved but decisions still to be made regarding all three ahead of the weekend. Three key members of the team that we would obviously like to include in the squad, but it will be late decisions on all three."
ON DONOVAN PINES
"Donovan trained with the team today. Again, we've obviously had midweek games. We had Carlisle, we travelled to Stevenage, we had Oxford. Trained with the team today, then next week he'll get a full week's training. Just a reminder, it was effectively Donovan's first day of pre-season today. That's what he would have been doing if he had stayed in the States, since his season finished in October. We've got to be mindful that we need to accelerate it but not go to the point where we injure him. Then he'll probably play in a friendly match the following week."
ON THE MOOD IN CAMP FOLLOWING MIDWEEK VICTORY
"Travelling to Stevenage, the mood in the group was really good. Probably because they ground out a win prior to Stevenage that maybe wasn't expected on the performance which I think sometimes boosts spirits that you can win when you're not at your best. But the other night definitely that togetherness, that team spirit, so I think the players came in this morning with a spring in their step and look forward to playing here on Saturday."
ON EXETER CITY
"The challenge that they'll bring is that they're a good footballing side. Like to keep the ball, like to play through the lines, so a team that you need to be very organised against. You need to give them the respect they deserve, in terms of the ability they've got. But also, we're at home, a lot will be down to us on influencing Exeter by being at our best. Their game against Bristol Rovers in the week is a stark reminder in this league how difficult it is. Exeter's games have been awfully tight, when you look through their results, they've been one goal games in nearly every one so we know we'll be in for a tight game on Saturday."
There is still time to join us at Oakwell this weekend as we look to make it twelve unbeaten in the league! Click the banner below to book your seat.
