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JP
1-1, what were your overall feelings on that tonight?
GA
Erm, a little bit disappointed I suppose. We played in fits and starts, we played some smashing stuff at times in the first-half. We surrendered a bit of ground in the second-half to an extent, which led to them getting a little bit in the ascendancy. They caused us a few problems, culminating in Lubo's (Lubomir Michalik's) foul and penalty and sending-off.
Then after that I thought we defended very, very, very well and didn't really look like conceding after that. But, it didn't look like we were going to win the game and that is probably the key that you make sure that you don't lose it. In the end it is a probably a point that we are pleased to get in terms of what happened during the game.
JP
How impressive was that defensive action from your boys after losing Lubo Michalik? They really dug in and as you say, they didn't look like they would be breached.
GA
Well, there is some spirit there isn't there you know, in the camp there is a lot of spirit. Whatever we achieve here is never going to be easy, we know the obstacles and we know the problems we face all the way through the season.
We had another one today because we only had ten men and we lost our most influential powerful defender. But, we have got some spirit and spirit and determination have got us a point, and it might be a valuable point later on in the season at some stage, so we are pleased with that.
JP
Matty Robson and Kevan Hurst, Matty Robson has already done it once this season, but to have two wide midfielders playing as your full-backs, both of them didn't put a foot wrong for you?
GA
Yeah, we seem to be getting all our problems in the defensive areas don't we. But, Matty has come in and put in a smashing shift, and Hursty has tackled and headed it like…… I don't see him do that when he is a winger, we have just said to him 'why don't you do that further up the pitch.'
But, he has taken it on board, listen, he wants to play as well, so it is probably a message from him to say 'listen, I am alive and kicking and I have got some determination back in my body.' I thought he put in an impressive show for us to be fair.
JP
'Stick me in there somewhere boss'
GA
That's it, that is the message we are looking for.
JP
Tom Cruise, was it an injury he picked up?
GA
Yeah, he has had shin splints, I didn't know much about that but he gets them every now and again. Today he couldn't carry on, so we had an early problem and that caused us an initial issue. But, Matty has come in and done alright there, so it wasn't too much of a blow in the end.
JP
Could shin splints wind up being a longer term problem for him then?
GA
Don't know mate, you will have to speak to medical people about that.
JP
No problem, I understand that one. Lubo Michalik's red card, the first yellow looked a bit harsh but I guess if the referee (Neil Swarbrick) judged it was a foul in the area then he had to give him the second?
GA
That is what the referee did and that is what happened, I was disappointed with the referee.
JP
Did you feel it wasn't a penalty then?
GA
Not really no. I think if that one is then there should have been two more in the game. So, I just thought he was……… I don't like coming on and talking about referees, shall we move on?
JP
We can move on if you like, there were a couple that might have been given both ways in the first-half as well. What about Lubo Michalik now? With it being two yellows I think it is just a one-match ban, when will that be? Is that straight away at the weekend or is it not?
GA
It is straight away but I don't know, there is a problem, is it his availability for the cup game and does that count as a game? I am not sure yet, we need to look into the red tape situation for that. So, tomorrow morning we will try to address that and make everybody clear by the end of the day tomorrow.
JP
In the second-half obviously it was a little bit torn apart by the penalty incident and losing Lubo Michalik. But, in the first-half very much deserving of going in 1-0 up, how happy were you with that 45 minutes?
GA
Yeah, I was really pleased because I think we are still a team that has got to believe that we can be a really, really good side. At times when we get on top like that, do you know something, we really miss Paul Thirlwell at times to keep the momentum and keep the possession and keep prompting people to do the right things.
Because, we have got a lot of young players in there and they have been terrific. Listen, this first 20 games of the season they have been nothing short of absolutely fantastic. We just need that little bit of extra experience and one that pulls and pushes and prompts.
A lot of his work goes unnoticed but it is so effective to other players around him. I just thought after the break when we lose our way we are looking for that sort of guidance. We think he is going to be nearly enough back at the back end of this week, so he has been a big miss.
But, you add him to the (James) Berretts and the (Tom) Taiwos and the (Ben) Marshalls of this world then you have got some really, really, really good players there that need his help and assistance. I think tonight was one of those games I really thought that we really missed him.
JP
Might he be considered then for the weekend? Is he in the reckoning?
GA
Erm, not yet, but that might change, I don't want to be seen to be telling lies. At the minute it is doubtful but it might be something I have to force him into saying if it is right then you are going to go in and you are going to have to put a shift in maybe a few days early. But, he was certainly looking at Tuesday night, but with what has happened tonight we might have to change that around. But, let's see on Wednesday or Thursday.
JP
Francois Zoko looked disappointed when coming off, I actually bumped into him in town yesterday and he said that he was really unhappy with how he did at the weekend, he did have a much better game tonight?
GA
He was terrific tonight, but listen, when you are in a situation like we are, the two playmakers that probably don't do the other side of the game as well as others, we had to sacrifice them. We either go for a win and maybe get beaten 2-1 or 3-1 or possibly win the game. Or we do what we did and we put the players in that really put in a shift, they work and they graft and he understands the situation.
If he is upset about Saturday's performance then I am pleased about that because so was I. We want to see Francois week in and week out but that type of player can't do it every week, it is never going to be possible. But, we just keep encouraging him that we want him to keep getting on the ball, like he did in the first-half.
We have seen him open us his legs up tonight for the first time in three or four matches when he ran past (Marcus) Holness and nearly created a goal, and that is what we want Francois doing.
JP
Back to the FA Cup at the weekend, a very exciting one and after getting this good crowd, I know it was swollen by the ticket giveaway tonight, but to have that sort of support behind you must have been quite inspiring for the players?
GA
Yeah, we love that don't we, we have appealed for the support, the support has come out and they have had something to get on our backs for with the sending-off which means they get right behind you. In adversity they come out and they come to the fore. But, long may that continue, I think they are more understanding of our situation and they are backing us to the hilt I think at the moment.
JP
And then the cup at the weekend, a very exciting time for everyone again and another bit of pressure for you though. Another of those matches you are expected to go through with?
GA
Yeah, it is one of those games that will be really, really tough. We have just mentioned that in passing now so it is already in the players' minds. But, come Thursday or Friday then we really need to be at it, Because, Conference sides, the gap is getting closer, they are tough, they are organised.
I went to watch Cambridge, I can't believe Huddersfield beat Cambridge by the way when Cambridge were 1-0 up and absolutely coasting. They are one of the best teams in our division and Cambridge nearly pulled off a shock there, two late goals last minute so nothing is easy.
JP
And they have already caused an upset in this competition by beating Crewe?
GA
Yeah, nothing is taken for granted and nothing is easy.