|
" I am still positive, I still believe and I look forward to going to Carlisle and getting a positive result I think, it is a game we are more than capable of going up there and winning. With the players we've brought in, our target of 12 wins is a real possibility and it's something we're going to work very hard to achieve.
" I am sure once we can get more work on the training ground with the new ones it will improve the quality of our performance and hopefully we will win a game. We just felt that there was an opporunity with them bearing in mind the limited financial situation that we have as MK Dons are paying a large chunk of the ones that are loan deals. We have still got two or three irons in the fire, if we can get them in then that can only be a positive thing.
" MK Dons have been fantastic in paying money towards wages for Jemal (Johnson) and Jabo (Ibehre) but we've had to push the boat out a bit to sign David Perkins. We're still working under financial constraints and we've tried to sign players from the area to avoid having to pay for hotels and food. Jabo Ibehre is the only one who hasn't got links to the North West. Other teams have the luxury of building for the future. We don't. We've got 23 games to stay in this division.
" We will keep going, but it is difficult to keep coming in and say the same things after every single game. I think if we continue to show the same effort and enthusiasm and desire I think is an important word for us in the situation we find ourselves in, as we did against Swindon in midweek we're only going to improve, and eventually we'll get that win. I know that we can improve because I know that we have got the players to get the ball down and play. Let's have a little bit more time and a little bit more patience with them on the training field.
" Hopefully on Saturday I will be a lot more positive and waxing lyrical about our performance and our play and I would take a one goal win right now. We are desperate to get that first win, but temper that, if we are in a situation where we have got something positive to take from the game then we won't be stupid. The biggest thing is getting ourselves off this run that we are in and getting a point on the board at least. "
Meanwhile Hatters left-back Michael Rose commented to Pure :
" It should be a good game at Carlisle, it is good to get back out there again. We didn't really deserve to get beat on Tuesday night and I think the results will start changing around. I think everyone can see that the effort is there and the work is there, and we are doing the right things in training and hopefully things will turn around. Any win is important at the minute now so I think we just need to get our heads down and carry on working.
" Competition is always good for places and it lifts everyone as well knowing that they are not now guaranteed a place. I think that might have been the case for a couple of weeks now but with everyone else coming in there is a bigger squad and everyone is fighting for a place. "
In a busy transfer window for a club that is looking to exit administration next week County signed five new players on Monday and Tuesday. The Hatters mainly raiding MK Dons as they picked up midfielder Richie Partridge and defender Danny Swailes on six month contracts after the pair were released by the Buckinghamshire outfit.
Dons striker Jemal Johnson meanwhile moved to Edgeley Park on a loan deal to the end of the season, while fellow MK frontman Jabo Ibehre swaps sides for a month, although that can be extended to the end of the season. Finally comes combative Colchester midfielder David Perkins who has also linked up with Stockport on loan until the end of the season.
Going out of the exit door though have been striker Peter Thompson who returns to his former club Linfield on loan to the end of the current campaign, while fellow forward Oli Johnson has moved to Norwich City for an undisclosed fee. Carl Baker, top scorer for the Hatters, is another undisclosed fee transfer as he has stepped up a level to the Championship and joined Coventry City. The last of the County forwards departing being Matty McNeil who, already on a short-term contract, has turned down the offer of a fresh one month deal at Edgeley Park.
As for other team news for the Hatters tomorrow, they are only missing midfielder David Poole who is serving out the second game of a three match ban after he was sent off in late December for a very hefty challenge on Leeds winger Max-Alain Gradel, who was on loan at Elland Road from Leicester City. Meanwhile left-back Adam Griffin should be fit again after missing County's 1-0 home defeat against Swindon on Tuesday due to a chest infection.
The referee for tomorrow's match is Chris Sarginson from Stoke-on-Trent, and he will be assisted down the lines by Glen Hart from Darlington and Dave McCallum from Wallsend. Meanwhile the fourth official is Jonathan Hunt from County Durham.