User tools SmallNormal Text SizeLargePrintBookmark the SiteEmail this Page

Justin Edinburgh: These will be the biggest games of my managerial career

Posted on: Thu 29 Apr 2010

We spoke to Justin Edinburgh prior to tonight's Playoff game against Oxford United.

Justin, is there pressure on the team for tonight's game?

No I don't think it's pressure at all. There are going to be nerves, but we've got to approach it like any other game. We understand there's going to be a big crowd, with a good atmosphere, but we want people to approach it as they have done the last 44 games.

Advertisement

You'll know Oxford well, after playing them twice this year?

Yes, and I think they'll know us. Chris Wilder came and watched us against Luton. I'm envisaging a tight game with not much in it, and I don't think anything will be won or lost on Thursday night.

You have players who've played for both clubs, including Craig Farrell, who wasn't picked up by Oxford - does he have a point to prove to Oxford?

Any player likes playing against their old side, and sometimes they have a canny knack of scoring against their old teams. I don't think Craig thinks there's a point to prove - all of the players know what's at stake - a place in the Football League and a day out at Wembley.

Do you feel this will be your first true mark in management if you can get this side into the league?

Without a doubt. These will be the biggest games of my managerial career, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited, but if I wasn't I'd be disappointed. Whatever comes out of it we've had a very good season, but we are in it to win it, and we want to progress.

How does it suit you to be at home in the first leg, away in the second leg?

To be honest I don't think it makes a great deal of difference. I think the game will be tight, and I don't think there will be a lot of goals, and barring a disaster it won't be won on Thursday night here at Nene Park. I know the crowd will get behind us and make it difficult for Oxford to come and play here.

With such a buzz around the stadium for a game like this, does discipline become an issue?

Adrenaline is going to be pumping - you can't calm that, but you've got to try and channel your emotions and aggression and make sure your temperament is a good temperament. I don't expect it to by more physical than any other game, but I think it's going to be fast and competitive like it was for the last two meetings between the clubs. No player who is going to be playing in these two games won't be nervous and will get butterflies, but you've got to curb them and relish it, and if you can put that into practice correctly then I know these players well - we trust each other and I know they can perform on a big stage.

You are coming into the game as underdogs, with one of the smallest budgets in the division, but are the expectations of your players any lower as a result of that?

No, we may be underdogs - we have been all season. We know the financial restraints we have here at the club. All it will do is make it a greater achievement. We've achieved our aim, we are worthy of our place here in the playoffs, but we're not here just to make up the numbers. We want to progress, as do Oxford, Luton and York. We might be the underdogs, and we may have massively overachieved, but these two games mean as much to us as they do to Oxford.


For a full preview of tonight's game see here.

Season Ticket Bold Footer 2

 

 News Archive
Display Stories From Week
Rushden & Diamonds FC business finder is powered by city-visitor.com

All materials on this website © Rushden & Diamonds Football Club & FLI Ltd.

Photographs courtesy of Mal Swinden, Mark Brown, Pinnacle Photo Agency, Paul Redding & Empics unless otherwise stated ©

Registered Office: Rushden & Diamonds Football Club, Nene Park, Diamond Way, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, NN9 5QF

Phone: (01933) 652 000 Fax: (01933) 654190

Registered in England, Number 2400504

Company Details

Part of the Club Player network

All rights reserved save as per website Terms of Use. Privacy Statement. Subscription terms and conditions.

Accessibility.

For all advertising and sponsorship enquiries, please click here