Fixtures Birmingham City Vs. Barnsley - Sat, Apr 05 2025, 15:00 On Adam Phillips: Yeah, he's been absolutely fine. We've only had one training session since, and obviously, he'll be in training again this morning. The people who weren’t in the squad on Tuesday were the ones who trained, so it was only a very small group, but the reports I received were really positive - good training, high intensity. Now we’re back into a bigger group because everyone’s come back together since the game. So yeah, as I said, that chapter is closed, and we all crack on. On the Standards Being Set: Yeah, it’s been my number one priority, if I’m being totally honest- I think it’s huge. It gives you a platform and makes everything black and white for everyone; there are no grey areas. I think that’s gone down pretty well. There have been one or two issues, which is always the case. It might be a little new to them compared to what was in place before, but I’m big on it. I was as a player, and I was as a captain. I think it’s really important to have discipline. As I said, application in training - training hard - gives you a foundation to build on. On Finer Details Expected: From the start, my big things were timekeeping - being on time for everything: getting in on time, onto the grass on time, rehab on time, treatment on time. Having the kit the right way around - so all socks, shorts, tops, everything in order. I stay up a couple of nights a week, and I was sick of seeing Elaine and Jackie turning everything the right way around at five or six o’clock in the afternoon when everyone had already gone. So, make sure your kit is the right way around. And then, of course, just application in training in general. Another thing was that when we go to games, we all travel together - I thought that was really, really important. If there’s any kit to be unloaded from the bus, whether at hotels or the ground, everyone walks in together. No one is better than anyone else; everyone is the same. Help the medical staff, help each other, help the kit man. I’m trying to create an "all-in-it-together" type of environment - a collective spirit, especially when things need to be turned around. On Trying to Motivate the Team: Of course, we haven’t won a game for a while now, and that’s going to be difficult for the players. But what I’m asking them to do, they’re doing it in spells. They’re buying in and have been really positive. Of course, we’re judged by results, but I have full belief in the players. They’re a good group of lads, and they’ve been nothing but positive for me. I really mean that. They need to believe in themselves a little more, but we’ve got some really good footballers in there. If we keep at it - don’t drop the standards and maintain a high level - I really believe things will come together. Maybe not in the short term, but in the long term, I do believe it will pay off. On Stephen Humphrys' Goal: It was massive for him. I’ve been really on Humps over the last three or four days, especially leading into that game. I feel he’s got real quality for this level - he’s a powerful, explosive player. We wanted to get him into areas where he could hurt the opposition. I thought he did that at Wigan when he came on for a short spell. I asked him to really work hard off the ball, and then he’d get his rewards in the final third. I thought he really bought into that and did really well. So, that was a big plus from the night. He has real quality at this level. Maybe he’s lacked a little consistency over the season, but when he’s on it - when he trains properly and buys into what I’m asking of him - he’s a really, really effective player. You saw that again on Tuesday night. On the Goalkeeper Situation: Flav will still be in goal, and I’m absolutely thrilled with him. I even said to 'Gillo' (Matt Gilks), our goalkeeping coach, this morning - he’s taken his opportunity with both hands. I think he’s been really good. He’s been calm with his feet, and he’s taken his opportunity brilliantly. For me, currently, regardless of whether anyone comes back or not, he’s the one to keep in goal. He won’t be going anywhere anytime soon because, honestly, he’s been brilliant in the three or four games he’s played. It’s not been an easy situation for him - being thrown in, not fully match sharp - but he’s handled it with no problems whatsoever. Full credit to Flav. It just goes to show - you never know what’s around the corner. You’ve got to be ready because the opportunity can come before you know it. On Possibilities of Injured Goalkeepers Returning: Not in the near future—there’s nothing on the horizon in that regard. On Other Potential Returns: Josh (Earl) is okay, and Barry Cotter is training at pretty much 100% today. They’ll be in and around things moving forward, which is great - two more good players back on the grass, two experienced members of the squad. That’s a big positive. On Their Potential Involvement on Saturday: Yeah, there’s potential for them to be involved on Saturday, but obviously, they won’t be starting. They’re back in full training today, back to full fitness. They’ve both been out for a while, so Saturday’s game might come too soon, but they’ll get a solid ten days of training before Bolton, which will only be beneficial for them. On Further Injury Concerns: No, none at all. Everyone got through the game the other night fine, so there are no issues. On Plans to Deal with Birmingham: Yeah, in a similar way. This is one of those games that everyone in the dressing room should be looking forward to—a big club, top of the league. It’s going to be a great atmosphere, so let’s go and embrace it. If you don’t want to play in these games, something’s wrong with you. Form doesn’t matter - whether we’ve won 10 in a row or lost 10 - it should excite you. We’re up against it, no doubt, but let’s go head-to-head and see what we can do. On Stick from Birmingham Fans: Potentially a bit, but that’s part of the game. I’ve seen it all before. I’ve played in many derby games against them, and I’m unbeaten, I’d like to add - which is always nice. Big derby games have been pretty ferocious, but I’ve got fond memories. It’s going to be an interesting day for me, no doubt. Continue reading...