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Club News

Yates: Stand Up & Be Counted

2 September 2013

Club News

Yates: Stand Up & Be Counted

2 September 2013

Mark Yates is hoping for a big reaction as the Robins prepare to face Plymouth at home in the JPT.

Robins manager Mark Yates talks to the media ahead of Tuesday night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash v. Plymouth (7.45pm):

"We have a few knocks and a few out for tomorrow night but it's time for everyone to stand up and be counted. We won't hide away from anything and Saturday was not good enough. We have a chance to put it right Tuesday and you always want a quick turnaround so this is our chance to put it right ourselves.

"We worked yesterday and we'll have a look at the DVD today before going out onto the training ground and putting a few things into practice. We have to keep working hard but we're not out of anything yet. We have had a bad start and it isn't what we're after but we know that and there is still plenty of time.

"Last year we kept 20 clean sheets and this year we have had one so far but I can't blame Scott Brown for any of the goals. He has to demand more of his defenders, the midfielder and the strikers because we defend as a team and at the minute we aren't creating enough and we are too open for our liking. It is costing us games. We played quite well in the second half on Saturday looking back on the DVD but it meant nothing because we didn't get anything out of the game. There are things we need to address but we aren't pressing any panic buttons and we're not out of anything.

"There are a few injuries off the back of Saturday and from before. Troy Brown is out, Jamie won't be ready to start, Steve Elliott and Craig Braham-Barrett won't be available and Matt Richards has a knock too. It gives people an opportunity to come in and stake their claim for a place in the team. I don't have an 11, I have a squad and it's up to them. They need to put the shirt on and make it their own for Saturday. People have had to wait patiently but there comes a time where they've got to step up to it and that is why we have reserve games. They should all be ready and now is their chance.

"We know what Plymouth are about and we know they are decent but we must get back to working harder as a team. I sometimes take that as a given but maybe this group hasn't quite grasped that and maybe I need to reinforce that. I'm far from despondent. I was disappointed on Saturday and at a bit of a loss for our first half performance. I watched it back and there were some good things in the second half but not enough to get us back into the game.

"We have a couple of injuries and I've phoned a couple of clubs and asked a couple of people about some things but we'll see how it develops throughout the day. If it was up to me then I would bring a couple in but we'll have to see what money is available or what players are available. I'm more than happy with what we've got but we're not performing to the levels we want right now. I'd be happy to stick with what we've got but I'd be a liar if I said we weren't trying to do a little bit. Having said that there are players waiting in the wings and they will be given their chance tomorrow night."

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