GRIMSBY Town joint boss Paul Hurst shares his thoughts ahead of tonight's crunch clash at Mansfield Town.
ON TONIGHT'S GAME...
" For us, we know we're going to the team that's top of the form table. They've had seven wins in a row and you don't really get better than that. It will be a big test for us and one that the players will be looking forward to. We've shown some good form over the course of the season and if we go there and get a result, the game is back on. If we don't, what have we lost really? We've lost to the best form team in the league at the minute. For me, it's a great game for us to try and bounce back in. I think in terms of the timing of it and the run they're on it is probably our toughest game so far. The run they've been on is tremendous but it's got to come to an end sometime, so why can't it come to an end tonight with us taking three points?"
ON WHAT A VICTORY WOULD MEAN…
" I believe they're capable of going there tonight and getting a win and the players need to believe that as well and not let one defeat knock them off track. But they were nice and bright in training yesterday and looked sharp. If we did go there and win, it would be another boost for them. But nothing will be decided no matter what happens tonight, but it would be very pleasing if we did take three points."
ON CHANGES AFTER KIDDERMINSTER…
" We haven't picked the team. We've watched the Kidderminster game back on DVD yesterday. Looking back at it, on the day we felt that they had a lot more composed possession than us but when we watched it back, they didn't. Both teams passed the ball well, it was pretty much equal – the only difference was that we gave it back a little bit quicker. But we had some good passages of play and some good chances so it's certainly not all doom and gloom. Kidderminster are a decent side and we all know the run that they've been on, but we did all right. A lot of it came down to fine margins on Saturday. There might be one or two changes but there certainly won't be drastic changes. I don't think we were at our best but I don't think it was a terrible performance."
ON INJURIES…
" Shaun Pearson came through training yesterday and fingers crossed. We need to have a chat with Shaun about how he feels because we don't want to rush him back and risk losing him for longer – that's the last think we want. There's no doubt he's a good player for us but I thought Tom and Ian did alright on Saturday to be honest. Again, we've got decisions to make but we'd rather have the option of making those decisions than be scratching around for players. Other than that, though, we've got no fitness doubts and it's pleasing that we've got a squad of players that are fit and ready to go."
ON DOUGIE WILSON…
" Dougie will come into the squad. He trained with the lads for the first time yesterday. We agreed the deal on Friday but on Saturday, he was still over at Hull so he couldn't play at the weekend but he'll go straight into the squad for tonight. He's comfortable on the ball and is a good size physically. He's also left-footed as well so it gives something a little bit different. I think he can play different ways – he's an all-round midfield player. Part of it will be, if we decide to put him in at whatever stage, what we ask of him, but whatever it is, I think he'll be able to adapt to it."
ON LIAM HEARN…
" He certainly won't be on the bench tonight and I would have thought that Saturday would be too far for him. He's looking sharp, there's no getting away from that but there's one thing being sharp in training but being sharp in a game is different. I'm not sure I'd look sharp but I could join in training whereas I'm nowhere near the level required to get on a bench or start! Liam needs a bit more work and training in his legs and ideally, a run-out of some kind before we introduce him back into first team action."
