Keith Hill says he is pleased with a lot of aspects of his squad ahead of Saturday’s match at home to Plymouth Argyle.
A point on the road at AFC Wimbledon last weekend was followed up with a Checkatrade Trophy victory over near neighbours Oldham Athletic, and Hill was pleased with what he saw from his team in those performances.
“It’s been a learning week and a positive week, with respect to gaining a point away from home after our last away performance at Oxford United, which was a self-implosion, and a near-miss against Portsmouth when I think a fair result would have been a replay.
“On Tuesday night I thought I saw energy and commitment, and whilst you’re trying to nurture players you need that energy and enthusiasm, and ultimately the technical skill at speed, we will improve upon, which is basically scoring goals.
“I’m relatively pleased with a lot of the things that have happened over my time at the football club. It’s my ninth full season, and in that time I’ve got a lot to be proud of.
“You can wade through the external chaos that’s created, in terms of self-imposed pressure, pressure from social media, Directors, supporters, players, pundits.
“It’s something that when I look at the cold hard facts on paper of what the club has done, it’s something that I’m really pleased about and I know that we’ll continue to develop young players, a winning mentality, a superb environment where players can be nurtured, learn, progress and make sure that we get the necessary points on the board.
“I’m really pleased with a lot of aspects of the squad that we’ve got at this moment in time. There’s a progress being made, 100%. If I compare the progress this season to the 110 years previous at this football club, we’re doing things that the club has never seen before, from a player development point of view and maintaining our League One status, so I want to try and improve on that.
“When I look at what it is we’re doing and where we’re trying to get to, I’m relatively pleased with everything that’s going on at the football club. Yes, there has to be improvements, but realistic improvements.”
Hill believes Saturday’s Sky Bet League One encounter at home to Plymouth will be a stern test, but has been encouraged by the side’s home form over recent weeks.
“They’re a big club playing League One football. I’ve got a lot of respect for Plymouth and their Manager, for what they did last season and this season.
“They’re a club that are obviously in transition, like we are and have been. Historically they’re a Championship and League One side, so they’re trying to find a way back up to where they feel as though they belong.
“It’s a stern test for us from a football perspective, but it’s one that we’re going to enjoy. We won’t endure it, and we’ll definitely learn from the experiences.
“It’s acceptable [the home form], the pitch is magnificent. I’ve got to thank the ground staff for the investment and time that has been put into the pitch.
“This time last season it was destroyed and almost like a desert. It was a shame really because there were multiple games called off that put us on the back foot. We did the right thing in February and replaced the pitch, and it helped save our season with respect to avoiding relegation.
“I’m relatively happy with home performances, and I have been for the most of the season. Some of the teams that we played in the early part of the season took games away from us with respect to their League One standing, being Championship clubs, so it was difficult, but I do believe we’ll do okay.”
The full interview is available to watch on iFollow HERE.