Colchester boss Joe Dune spoke to his club's official website ahead of his side's League One game against Carlisle at Brunton Park on Saturday afternoon, Dunne talking about the preparation of the U's for their vital final match of the season:
“We have been in every day this week and we have moved to the stadium to prepare for a bigger pitch. Their focus will be good, we had a meeting on Monday morning following up from what we spoke about after the Shrewsbury game and that puts everything to bed now in terms of that game. So, we have just been focusing on us, our training, making sure we are in a positive frame of mind. The positive thing from last Saturday, although we didn’t win at least we didn’t let it come out of our hands in needing someone else to do us a favour.
“We didn’t lose, we picked up another point, so it still means Scunthorpe have to do some work against Swindon. So, we are still in a positive position, we still have a good chance to make it ourselves. Scunthorpe can win the game by as many goals as they want as long as we pick up a positive result. That is what our focus is, a positive result, we have just focused this week about the game.
“The players are in a good state of mind and to be honest in a way it is good that it is totally in our hands, we have absolute total clarity about what we need to do. The other day we could have lost and somebody else could have done us a favour, so there was obviously an element of 50-50. I just think that this game on Saturday helps us because we have to get something out of the game.
“We have to get a positive result, which is always better for my team based on recent results since January, having to win against Walsall to stop the run, having to bounce back after Tranmere, having to go to Oldham and get something, two games with ten men. So, when it is absolutely necessary we have responded, I just felt that on Saturday there was an air of ‘not necessary’, which really disappointed me, but we will bounce back."
“So, we are going to Carlisle to make sure we are well in the game, if not certainly winning the game. We want to make sure we play the game for the game itself, not get caught up in any furore of any results that come through. Because, listen, when you are away from home and the away fans know you need something there could be false information and false cheering coming through. So, we have to be absolutely focused on what we want, and what we want is a positive result.
“We found out against Notts County two weeks ago, who had nothing to play for, that they made changes. It was a game that they didn’t need to have anything on but I don’t believe in those types of games. I think the mindset of Greg Abbott will be to make sure that his team finish the season on a high at home and win. He is a professional man, he is a positive man with his team and he will have them ready to beat us. So, whatever happens happens, but we will be ready for the game, the players have responded well this week and there is an air of determination about the group.
“Josh Thompson will miss out this weekend, Clinton Morrison we are monitoring again this week and Freddie Sears has been training with us, so we are pretty much at full squad. David Wright comes back into the squad after missing last Saturday because of concussion the previous week. So, we will pick a team, I have got in my mind how I want to go about the game, it is very important we get the balance right between on the ball and off the ball.
“Because, if we are going to score we are going to have to have some creativity, and if we are going to defend we are going to have to have some steel, so it is getting the balance right. It is very important too that we keep the group together, we will take the group up there on Friday to make sure we have the experienced people in and around.
“They have generally been good at that have Kemal Izzet and Clinton, although Kemmy hasn’t played a lot his experience has been invaluable to a lot of young players, and we have a lot of young players. As a young player, if you can take the challenge in front of you this Saturday and come out the other side of it, it can stand you in great stead for the future."
"If the top players like those at Dortmund and Bayern Munich can run around and work hard to succeed, why can't you? If you're playing for your livelihood, what would you do? How high will you jump, how hard will you tackle, how fast will you run? How much are you willing to give to survive? What are you willing to sacrifice? I think the players have already answered that for me this week.
“So, we have got to the get balance right in making sure if Carlisle pick a team with legs, with young legs if they decide to make changes. So, we have to make sure we have the steel to keep the ball out and get behind the ball when we need to, and then obviously we need some creativity to go forward. The back four and goalkeeper I was pleased with against Shrewsbury, we kept a clean sheet, Tom Eastman came back in and did well in the back four.
“So, if we can do the same again we are staying in League One, so it is very important that we give them a break at the top end and when we get chances, because I believe we will, to make sure we take them. I'm ready for it and I thrive on it. It is a wonderful challenge and one I am looking forward to, and it's a buzz to know you can achieve something special with the right result on Saturday.
“The thing I know for sure with the fans is that they were frustrated on Saturday, and we all were because we had worked so hard since January to get into this position of the gap that we had. But, it was a monumental result for Scunthorpe, they have to go now and do the same and sport is full of these occasions where they can. So, we have to take it for granted that Scunthorpe will win, and that is my mindset, so it is getting the mindset of the players correct.
“The fans that go away from home all season have been loud, when we have had big crowds at Stevenage, Leyton Orient, places like that, they have been loud. I know they will be loud on Saturday, we all want desperately to stay in the league and I am sure that the effort and commitment from everybody on Saturday will shine. As the manager of a club that I have been associated with for a long time is a massive responsibility on my shoulders, but I can handle it.”