United left-back Matty Robson (MR) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Paul Newton (PN) on Tuesday afternoon, Robson first talking about the MK Dons postponement last Saturday :
MR
We planned obviously for a normal Saturday game, did everything that we could pre-match, prepared right, turned up at the ground and did our normal work on the pitch and something was up straight away. One half of the pitch was fine and the other was rock hard, obviously there was confusion as to what was going on and then they said the game was in doubt. Obviously, we still had to prepare as though we were going out to play, and then we got the news that the game was off and it was just a bit surreal really.
PN
Did you go over to that part of the pitch and did you know instantly there was no chance of the game happening?
MR
Yeah, I mean Dolly (Neil Dalton) and a few others had been down to the ground early to sort out all the kit and they said it had been like that since I think it was about eleven o'clock in the morning. Then when we got there it was still really hard and there was no chance that the sun was going to get near it, for some bizarre reason they were putting water on it to try to soften up but it obviously wasn't going to work. When we stepped on it we knew that it could be in doubt but we had to still prepare.
PN
How frustrating is that?
MR
It is yeah, obviously we worked all week towards the MK Dons game and we had a good training session on Friday and obviously when it gets called off an hour before it is due to kick-off it is a bit disappointing, all that work obviously goes out of the window and now obviously we build it all up again for the game this weekend against Walsall.
PN
And there was a feeling as well that Saturday might have been a good time to take on MK Dons. they might have had one eye on their FA Cup replay tonight?
MR
Yeah, they might have done, they weren't playing terrific football and they had a couple of suspensions and injuries, so it might have been a good chance for us to go there and take something out of the game. The lads were positive over the last few weeks with the performances that we have put in that we could go there and get something out of the game.
PN
A nice Tuesday night trip to look forward to now?
MR
Yeah, brilliant, yeah, I don't know whether he (Peter Winkelman) is going to stump up the bill for the hotel again for us to go down, I know the kind gesture he has given to the fans which is only fair. They have travelled some distances again this year and to get pretty much, well I think a few of them were down there already, it is only the right thing to do.
PN
The home form has been good at the moment, how confident are you that you can continue that this weekend?
MR
Yeah, I think our next run of games are ones that we have set our sights on to achieve wins in them all, no disrespect to the teams that we are playing but it is in our hands to go and pick up these points and maintain our push. The way we are playing at the minute we have got that air of confidence about ourselves that we can mix it with the best.
PN
I won't call them a bogey side but you have had some difficult games against Walsall in recent seasons?
MR
Yeah, obviously they are hardworking, they set their stall out and we had a tough game against them down there earler on in the season. They picked up a very good point at Brentford at the weekend, so we know it is a tough game, we will have to respect them first, which we do against any team, and obviously look to get an early advantage and then take control of the game.
PN
You seem to be scoring goals for fun at the moment, going back to the start of the season at times you struggled for goals, what has made the difference do you think?
MR
I don't know, I think obviously just the belief that we can go out there and create, I mean we have created chances all season, we have maybe just not had the breaks in front of goal. Sometimes you need that luck and we have been getting it, but also the hard work that we have been putting in on the pitch and you get your rewards for doing that.
PN
How much do you enjoy playing in this new 4-3-3 system?
MR
It just gives you a lot of attacking options, obviously it ends up being five attacking players and maybe even more at times going into the defending box. It always gives you a chance to score goals, obviously we might leave ourselves a bit short at the back but we are confident that we are going to score goals, so we err on the side of caution really and hopefully we score more than we let in.
PN
Yeah, as you say, in that system and given the way it is geared towards attacking sides can leave you perhaps a bit exposed at the back and that obviously as a defender is going to put more pressure on you?
MR
Yeah, but I mean the boys upfront work tremendously hard as well to get back and do a job for the team at the other end. I think that is where a lot of our success has come from over the last couple of months, the likes of Francois (Zoko) and J-P (Jon-Paul McGovern) and Bez (James Berrett) and Tommers (Tom Taiwo) and obviously Nobs (Liam Noble) when he was playing previously, the work that they put in to get up and down is a massive credit to them and obviously the work that they put out on the training field is paying off on the pitch.
PN
How much are you enjoying that defensive role?
MR
Yeah, it is very good, I have spoken about it before, playing alongside Murph (Peter Murphy) who is fantastic as well, the player he is, he is confident, he is loud, he helps you through a game and I would like to think I help him through his as well and it is a pleasure to be part of.
PN
You had a bit of experience playing as left-back at Hartlepool, but in a way is it almost having to go back and trying to relearn the role again for you?
MR
Yeah, it is, I mean I think it was early on, I was about 18 or 19 when I was playing left-back and obviously then it was left midfield. A bit of it sort of sticks in your brain but obviously playing with different players as well, so you have to learn what they are doing as well and get to grips with how they want you to play, it has been fun and challenging at the same time.
PN
Can you see an improvement in your game and perhaps your understanding of those defensive duties from where you were maybe a few months ago or going back to the start of the season?
MR
Erm, I mean going back to when I played midfield, you don't realise, it is quite a tough job because nowadays full-backs are expected to get up and attack as well. But, I mean my first thing now is defend, let the attacking players do what they want to do, especially when you have got the likes of Francois in front of you, just let him get on with it and just support him really. But, my first instinct now is defend and then whatever happens after that is a bonus.
PN
Is that difficult though as somebody who naturally wants to get forward and that is where you have probably played most of your career?
MR
It is, there is always the excitement of getting forward, it is what the fans want to see, attacking football, but sometimes you have got to remain level-headed and think what is best for the team. There will always be a part of me that wants to be attacking but hopefully for the foreseeable future I am going to be a part of the back line and that is going to obviously help towards my career.
PN
Goal of your career against Leyton Orient?
MR
Well, the truth is that I meant to score, but not in the way it went in. I tried to go up and over the wall and obviously to do that you have got to hit the bottom of the ball to create the dip in the ball. But, I have hit the ball too low and it has just stayed low, but luckily there was enough power on the ball and it has skipped through. We had a couple of good breaks on the day and it all paid off.
PN
You looked a bit embarrassed in your celebration after that?
MR
Yeah, I couldn't really celebrate that, if it had gone over the wall into the top corner then I maybe would have done a bit of a celebration, but I think the lads would have given me a bit of stick if I had ran off thinking I meant that. So, I had to hold my hands up and say that I didn't mean it.
PN
You dropped down out of the play-offs on Saturday obviously with not playing, but you are still in a fantastic position going into Saturday's game. How confident are you as a squad of being able to force your way into the top six come the end of the season?
MR
Well, we are determined to try to do what we can. I think the next seven games could prove pivotal really, if we take maximum points out of hopefully the majority of the games we might not just be sixth, we might be looking at fourth or fith in the table, which would be a tremendous achievement. The lads in there are full of confidence and they know that we can get into the play-offs, again we need a little bit of luck and results going for you, and obviously other teams losing. But, we have just got to do our job and try to win as many games as we can.
PN
You have played all the teams now in that division, including those teams obviously in the top six, is there anything to fear from those sides you are trying to compete against for that play-off place?
MR
Erm, I mean go back to the MK Dons game, I thought earlier on in the season they were the best team we have played, the way they passed and moved the ball. So, we wanted to put that right down there and obviously turn the tables on that. But, I think you have seen against Huddersfield who are one of the best teams in the league, we mixed it and with them and obviously beat Sheffield United who again are off on another run.
Obviously, I think we have got Sheffield Wednesday to go to away but I think we are quite confident in our ability out there that we can play against the best teams. I think the best teams, the likes of Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday, will be respectful of what we have been achieving in the league this year, so they will be a bit wary of us.
PN
The north-east contingent at the club was boosted this week with the arrival of Jordan Cook, from what you have seen so far what do you make of him?
MR
Well, he was only in yesterday, obviously it was his first day so he was a bit quiet and obviously just feeling the boys out. I am sure as the next week goes he will come into his own and he will show us what ability he has got, I have been told from Nobs that he is quick, strong and has got an eye for goal, so hopefully his qualities will add to the team.
PN
And Liam Noble you mentioned there, of course signed a two and a half year deal with the club, how important is his signing do you think?
MR
Oh, it is a good signing, I mean he is only 20 so he has got years to mature in his game, and I think it has helped him being here for the past six to eight months that he has been here, including last season. His game will have probably come on leaps and bounds rather than just playing in the reserves, getting out playing regular football and the work he has done has paid off and got him a contract and that is what he wants really. He was saying to me the other day that he would love to break the 100 game barrier as soon as he could and he is not far away.
PN
And of course two weeks to go before the transfer window closes, do you think now it is a case of not so much who you bring into the squad but trying to prevent people from leaving now? I am thinking obviously there is plenty of speculation around the likes of Francois Zoko and Lee Miller?
MR
Yeah, there is always going to be speculation on the players that are doing well, and to be fair to them they have been massive for the team this year. So, I think it would be vital obviously to keep them and I am sure the club would do everything they can, and I think the boys want to stay in a team that is doing well to try to achieve something with the club, and that is doing well at the minute and I think it would be massive for us.
PN
Darlington look as though they could be going out of business today, it is just a massive shame isn't it?
MR
Yeah, it is unfortunate and obviously I know a few of the boys who are playing there and it is disappointing to see a club obviously like Darlington who not so long ago were in the Football League to go. I think I read a bit in the paper the other day, George Reynolds who I am not afraid to say he got the team in the mess that they are in, he came out in the paper and said that he is not bothered. It is disappointing for someone like that who has tried to make a team of it put it all to one side and rub his hands clean of it, it is disappointing.
But, I am sure the administrators and people who are trying to help Darlington are doing everything they can. It is unfortunate, but I am thankful that I am at a club that is not going to go and live beyond its means. But, I am sure the boys who are playing at Darlington are trying to do everything they can as well, I know they have been sacked or released or what have you, I just hope they get a club as soon as they can.