In his pre Easter press conference Chris Wilder recognised the huge challenge ahead but looked back over the season to the many great results and performances that should give us all belief. But talk is cheap. We have to take points.
Q: Through the season we have met challenges head on at Blackpool, Millwall and QPR do those performances give you and the players confidence that we can repeat this at Bournemouth?
CW: Yes. They should do. We had a little bit of a tricky away game at Old Trafford as well so that should give them a little bit of confidence as well (everyone smiles). So, all these add up to. I will remind the players. But they really should have self belief in their own ability and belief in terms of the performances that we've delivered home and away. I understand the challenge ahead of us on Friday. It is a huge challenge at any stage of the season going to a team that it is second in the division at this stage of the season would be a tough encounter and we are not expecting anything else but them bringing their A game to the table on Friday. And we are going to have to make sure that we are at it and we produce a big performance but we are capable of it and as I said, no disrespect, if Hull can come and get a result at our place then I believe that we could go to Bournemouth and get a positive result. But no good me talking about it. And no good me saying it. We have to deliver. We need big performances now. There is no real margin for error. We need big performances and with that hopefully gives us some big results in the run in.
Q: Easter is obviously a really big time. Two critical games and full houses, another sell out going down to Bournemouth. Does that inspire the players with such support behind them?
CW: Yes I have always said there is no down side to the support that we have received. It is not critical. It is ultra positive. Listen, it was a disappointing afternoon on Saturday but they tried to drive us in the end to get back into the game and we just couldn't find that last bit and we were just off it. But for every game that they have been at they have given us the ultimate backing and hopefully we can give them something to shout about, it is a long way down there and make it a good weekend for the Middlesbrough supporters.
Q: Through the season we have met challenges head on at Blackpool, Millwall and QPR do those performances give you and the players confidence that we can repeat this at Bournemouth?
CW: Yes. They should do. We had a little bit of a tricky away game at Old Trafford as well so that should give them a little bit of confidence as well (everyone smiles). So, all these add up to. I will remind the players. But they really should have self belief in their own ability and belief in terms of the performances that we've delivered home and away. I understand the challenge ahead of us on Friday. It is a huge challenge at any stage of the season going to a team that it is second in the division at this stage of the season would be a tough encounter and we are not expecting anything else but them bringing their A game to the table on Friday. And we are going to have to make sure that we are at it and we produce a big performance but we are capable of it and as I said, no disrespect, if Hull can come and get a result at our place then I believe that we could go to Bournemouth and get a positive result. But no good me talking about it. And no good me saying it. We have to deliver. We need big performances now. There is no real margin for error. We need big performances and with that hopefully gives us some big results in the run in.
Q: Easter is obviously a really big time. Two critical games and full houses, another sell out going down to Bournemouth. Does that inspire the players with such support behind them?
CW: Yes I have always said there is no down side to the support that we have received. It is not critical. It is ultra positive. Listen, it was a disappointing afternoon on Saturday but they tried to drive us in the end to get back into the game and we just couldn't find that last bit and we were just off it. But for every game that they have been at they have given us the ultimate backing and hopefully we can give them something to shout about, it is a long way down there and make it a good weekend for the Middlesbrough supporters.