Here are some of the edited highlights from the press conference — you can find the full audio above or in the We Are Terriers podcast feed. Martin Drury First, expectations from Bromley. Everybody will be thinking, “Come on, three points, Town, smash them. They’ve had seven put past them, they’ve had five put past them.” How do you manage that expectation? I’ve not really thought about the expectation of the game, to be honest. I’ve just looked at what we did well last week, what things we didn’t do so well, what we can get better at, continue building the game model that we have, continue building the culture that we have, and embrace the next challenge. Bromley is the next challenge on the list. So every challenge we’ve had so far, I just spoke to the players this morning, I feel like every time either I’ve challenged them or we’ve had a challenge, they’ve stepped up to it and raised their game to it. So we’re in a really good place, and we’re very much looking forward to the game on Saturday. With Bromley obviously struggling, new to the league and what have you, do you have to speak to the players a little bit about being wary? I’m not saying being complacent, but being wary that there could be a surprise there. Bromley are finding their feet, etc. No, I don’t feel that I need to mention complacency because we’re not focused solely on the opponent. We’re focused on what we’re doing and what we’re trying to do and what we’re trying to build. Of course, we have to be mindful of Bromley because they do have some threats and they still have plenty of things that can hurt us if we’re not absolutely on the money on Saturday. So definitely wouldn’t disrespect them in any way and feel like the game is any easier than any other game. I watched the game last week that they played against Blackpool. They were very good. Blackpool found it very tough, and they’re in fine form, Blackpool, so it was a good result away at Blackpool. They showed that they’re really competitive. You look at the way that they score goals and have scored goals last season and this season, and they’re very consistent in terms of set plays, transitions, crosses into the box – all things that in League One you’re going to have to look good at. So Bromley do that really, really well, and we’re under no illusions. It’ll still be a challenge away from home, but of course we go into the game with confidence and we’d like to think that we can go and impose ourselves on them and create a tough afternoon for them as well. What about the squad situation, Martin? No, we lose Ryan now for probably about four to six weeks. So he has an issue with the ligaments in his elbow. Positive that he doesn’t need surgery. That was a real positive. He has a tear in his tricep as well, so he’s got a couple of issues from quite a heavy fall in the game, which is disappointing for both him and us as a group because he’s been a real leader for us and his performances have been really good. So disappointed to lose Ryan. He’ll be frustrated. He is frustrated. But look, it presents an opportunity for other people to step up. We’ll look after Ryan and make sure he comes back physically and mentally in a good place, and we look forward to his return. But until then, people have got an opportunity now to step up and play games that they’ve been planning to do, so I look forward to that. Where are you at with Kasumu and Whatmough at the moment? So Jack Whatmough’s trained Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday this week, so he’ll be available for selection to an extent. Sean Roughan’s the same, trained Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday this week. Again, available for selection to an extent this weekend. Samson Tovide, the same. Trained Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday this week, available this weekend. Kasumu is not quite there yet, so we’re still nursing that injury with him. He won’t be available this week, but the other three are in contention for some minutes. Let’s ask about Joe Taylor. Obviously, he’s had a really good start to the season, but as we understand it, there were a few signs of him getting frustrated with himself last time out. How do you manage that, Martin, with him? Does he need an arm around him? What do you do to try and get the best out of him? Because you clearly have for a large part of the season already. Do you know, with Joe, I think even when Joe’s scoring and firing, he still gets frustrated at things because that’s his character and that’s who he is. For me to try and take that out of him, it’s going to take a long period of time, and I’d rather not focus on trying to take that out of him. I’d rather focus on him scoring goals and making sure that he’s still doing all the brilliant things that he’s doing. I have no issue with players being frustrated in certain moments as long as they’re doing the work, as long as they’re still running. So if they’re looking on but they’re sprinting after the ball when they lose it, or if they miss a chance but they’re making the next movement in behind and they’re going to try and score again, no problem. Some of the best players in the world do that. But of course, you have to be mindful of it, that if you’re doing it that much it can impact the performance. Joe’s aware of that. Joe knows my feelings on that. But yeah, we work together on that. He’s still doing all the good things that we want him to be doing, and he’s still a constant threat and a nuisance for any team that we’re playing. So as long as he’s doing that, then we can bypass a couple of details. Yeah, you are getting the best out of him. What was the conversation like bringing him back in after last season? What did you say to him over the summer? There weren’t big conversations. There weren’t big conversations. We create the culture, we set the values, we set the standards, we set the expectations of what it looks like every day in training, and players that want to do that will be part of it, and players that don’t, won’t. Joe’s shown that he does. He’s running through a brick wall every single week in training, every single week in games, and we know that he’s got an eye for goal and we know that he’s very, very difficult for teams to play against. I’ve had people tell me in the past he can be a bit difficult because, as you say, he gets frustrated at certain things. I just don’t see that. I don’t see that. He’s very black and white. Wants to enjoy football. Wants to have a laugh. Wants to enjoy what he’s doing, and he does. When he’s doing that, he looks a real talent and a real threat. So yeah, we have to manage that. But I’d like to think that Joe understands the standards and the culture that we’re building and that we’ve built so far, and he’s very much living within that. I think he’s thriving within that. So while ever we’re enjoying Joe and he’s enjoying us, I’m sure the performances will be there. Derensili Sanches Fernandes You have to tell us about this mask thing. What’s this all about? Because we’ve not had the official version from you. Yeah, I just had a golden boot, and then one guy, Noah Naujoks, because I kept scoring with that boot, he said, “Oh, Golden Boy, Golden Boy.” Then we had a promotion game, then I got a golden mask, and that’s how it started. That’s how it started. So every time you score now, are we going to see this? No, because the EFL is going to charge me! There’s no fun anymore, is there? Can I also ask, on an international level as well, obviously Cape Verde became really well known this summer because of the World Cup. What’s your situation there? Is that who you would like to be involved with internationally going forward? Yeah, of course. I think the first time they called me up was last year. It was a miscommunication between me and them. And yeah, I hope this year it’s going to come again someday. And can you describe how that whole World Cup experience has affected them, and Cape Verde as well? Yeah, I do think the World Cup put them in the light where they belong. They have good footballers, good players, but most of all good people and a good team. That’s what got them far in the tournament. We’ve seen that relationship you have with Ilias on the right wing has been very productive. And Radinio as well as a Dutchman. Is it helpful to have players who you can communicate with and you have that relationship with playing down your side? Yeah, of course. Ilias and I don’t even really need to speak, we just do the same things like we did in the Eredivisie. And yeah, now my English is getting better. At the beginning it was worse, so you have to get the feeling, you know, to play with each other. But it’s getting better. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.weareterriers.com/subscribe
