GRIMSBY Town's players are itching for the chance to 'put things right' at Luton tomorrow – not least Shaun Pearson.
The big defender admits he was at a loss to explain the performance in last weekend's defeat to Nuneaton – from both a team and individual perspective.
It was a rare dip in performance from Pearson – who has been a consistent figure for Rob Scott and Paul Hurst since the duo brought him with them from Boston United.
But Pearson says tomorrow's clash with Luton offers both him and his team-mates the 'perfect' opportunity to bounce-back and get the Mariners back on an even keel again.
"Against Nuneaton, we didn't do ourselves any justice whatsoever and it's been a tough week in training to be honest," he said.
"You can see that there's been a response from the rest of the lads.
"Everyone is itching for tomorrow's game to come around so that we can try to put things right.
"That's not just from a team perspective but on a personal level as well – that's how I feel as an individual."
"I've been massively frustrated this week after my performance
"I just couldn't understand it. I never got started and it just carried on and whatever I did to try and get out of it, it just didn't seem to work.
"It was just one of those days, and most footballers do have them from time to time.
"I just want to get it out of my system and hopefully tomorrow will be more positive for me personally, but more importantly as a team and we get the result we want.
"Tomorrow is the perfect game for us to bounce back in," he continued
"Obviously they'll be the favourites and there's more pressure on them and it would be great to go there and get the three points.
"Hopefully we can go out and give everyone that boost of belief again – the fans and the club as a whole.
"We need to show what a good side we are."
While Pearson admits last week's defeat to Boro was difficult to swallow, he insists that it has not shaken the squad's belief in their chances this season.
But he says a win tomorrow would put a different perspective on things after a topsy-turvy start to the season.
He continued: "Only last week after the couple of wins, everyone was saying what a good side there is here.
"After Saturday, everyone's hitting the panic button.
"Within the camp, we still know what we've got and we're still confident.
"But at the start of the season, you win one game and you go from bottom to top and lose one and you go the other way.
"Hopefully, starting tomorrow and over the next few games, we'll get a few more positive results under our belts and people will look at it in a positive way again."
Pearson is set to line up alongside a new team-mate tomorrow after Alan Goodall joined on a one-month loan deal this week.
And although the Fleetwood full-back has only played in a handful of training sessions, Pearson has been impressed with the new recruit to the back four.
"Alan's settled in well," he said.
"He was on the opposite team to me in training and they absolutely hammered us so he's settled in fine!
"He seems like a top bloke and he'll bring in a bit of steel to the side.
"Hopefully he'll play a part in earning us a clean sheet tomorrow."
On the back-four, Pearson added: "It seems to be changing from game to game at the minute because of injuries and suspensions and it's been difficult to get a balance.
"A lot of people have said about our defence but it's still only a goal a game at the minute which it isn't dreadful – but we, as a group, know that it can be a lot tighter.
"We're probably giving away more chances than we did last year which is a big thing for us, so hopefully we can change that tomorrow and it will be a step in the right direction."
