Kieran Green says the Mariners must take full responsibility for their recent results and work together to turn their fortunes around as Town prepare to face Rochdale on Tuesday evening.
Town travel to the Crown Oil Arena looking to end a run of four consecutive defeats in Sky Bet League Two, with Green admitting that the recent performances have fallen short of the standards required to achieve the squad’s ambitions this season.
The midfielder stressed that the players understand the frustration felt by supporters and insisted that the only way forward is through hard work, togetherness and a return to the principles that helped Town enjoy an unbeaten start to the campaign.
Green also spoke about the importance of supporting injured teammates Edon Pruti and Doug Tharme, the lessons that can be learned from last season’s difficult run of results, and the backing of the Mariners’ travelling supporters ahead of Tuesday’s fixture.
Here’s everything the midfielder had to say ahead of the game…
On the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat
Green admitted that the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat to Northampton Town had carried into the start of the new week, with the result and performance compounded by the serious injury sustained by Pruti.
However, following the squad’s debrief, the midfielder explained that the focus has quickly shifted towards Tuesday’s trip to Rochdale and the opportunity to respond on the pitch.
“It’s a little bit of a hangover coming in from the weekend. It was obviously a massive disappointment, the result and the performance, and we had a big injury, so we’re all thinking about Edon.
“Once we got the debrief out of the way and tried to nitpick our way through it, I think we quickly shifted our minds to tomorrow night.”
On supporting Edon Pruti and Doug Tharme
Green was praised for remaining alongside Pruti as he received treatment on the pitch at the weekend, with the midfielder explaining that he wanted to ensure his teammate had someone there to support him during a difficult moment.
He believes any of his teammates would have done the same, but felt it was important to give the medical staff the space they needed to work.
“I think someone needed to be with him. I’m sure any of the other lads on the pitch would have done the same, but it probably wouldn’t have been wise to have 11 lads all sat around him.
“You don’t want to overcrowd it and you want to let the medical staff do their work.
“I just know that if I was in that situation, I’d like to know I’ve got a teammate there with me.”
Green also confirmed that he had been in contact with Tharme following the defender’s injury, with the squad waiting for further information after his scan.
“Doug’s been through it before, so it’s an awful moment for him. It’s one of those situations where you can’t really speculate until the scan results come back, and he knows exactly what it is.
“All we can do, again, with Dougie is support him and make sure he’s all right.”
On Town’s recent run of results
The midfielder made no attempt to hide his frustration at Town’s current run, acknowledging that four consecutive league defeats do not reflect the standards or ambitions of the squad.
Green insisted that the players accept responsibility for the results and performances, believing that a return to hard work and disciplined execution of the game plan is essential to getting back on track.
“Really frustrated. I think all the players are exactly the same. We don’t want to be losing games.
“We want to get promoted, and I think the last four games haven’t been promotion form at all. We shouldn’t be losing four games in a row, no chance.
“There’s a lot of frustration. We’ve come in this morning and debriefed it, and I think it’s very clear how we need to get out of it.
“We need to get in the trenches and work our way out of it, work hard, stick to the plan and execute the game plan.
“Ultimately, it all comes back to us as players, and we take full responsibility for the results and the performances.”
On understanding the supporters’ frustration
Green acknowledged that supporters are entitled to be disappointed with Town’s recent form, insisting that the players share those feelings and understand the expectations placed upon them.
The midfielder stressed that everyone connected with the Club wants to see the Mariners succeed and that the responsibility lies with the squad to produce the performances that supporters deserve.
“What they’re feeling is completely justified. It all comes back to us, and I can only put myself in their shoes.
“If I was going to watch my team and they weren’t winning games, then I’d be frustrated as well. That’s absolutely justified from my point of view.
“Everyone associated with the Club, whether you’re a fan, whether you work in the backroom, whether you work down the ground, whether you’re a coach or a player, we all want the same thing.
“We all want to have the success we set out for at the start of the season, and everyone can play a part in that.
“Everyone’s frustrated. We’re certainly not happy with the way we’ve been performing or the results, so we’re going to do everything we can as a group to get ourselves out of it and get back moving in the right direction in the league.”
On finding a way back to winning ways
Green believes the squad have already demonstrated their ability to win games and produce strong performances this season, with the challenge now being to rediscover that form.
He highlighted the importance of remaining united through the difficult spell and securing a positive result that can provide the platform for a sustained improvement.
“I just think we need to remain together. We are together.
“As a group of staff and players, we’ve proved this season already that we can win games and perform well. It’s a case of returning to that and shifting the mindset.
“Obviously, we need to get that win, and then hopefully it snowballs from there and we get the wheel turning.”
On learning from last season’s difficult spell
Town endured a challenging run of results during the previous campaign before producing an impressive turnaround that helped propel them towards the League Two play-offs.
Green believes that experience provides valuable lessons for the current squad, particularly when it comes to returning to the basics and focusing on the things within their control.
The midfielder stressed that hard work must be the starting point, with the team needing to earn the right to build momentum through their performances.
“We knew then that it’s tough. You can get yourself in a bit of a rut, every game feels hard and you feel like things go against you.
“But at the end of the day, all we can do is control the things we can control. We can’t control referee decisions or how other teams play, or their game plan.
“We’ve just got to focus on ourselves and go into every game with the right attitude, trying to execute the game plan as best we can.
“The one thing I can remember, not just from that time but from the season we struggled a few years ago, is that you’ve got to work hard first and foremost. It all starts with that.
“You strip it right back to basics and try to run, head, kick, do anything, dogfight and get a win. Then you build from there and give yourself something to build on.”
On how quickly fortunes can change
Green also reflected on the fine margins that can influence a team’s season, pointing to missed opportunities and key moments that have contributed to Town’s recent defeats.
While making clear that the current run is not acceptable, he believes the same small margins can work in the Mariners’ favour if they remain committed to improving their performances.
“In the end, it’s football. We are going to lose games, and that’s not justifying the four defeats in a row, but it is all small moments.
“If you look at the first defeat at Newport, that was a game I think we should have come away with three points from. There were a few missed opportunities and a couple of referee decisions in that game.
“They’re small moments that have led to where we are today. As poor as that is, it can change just as quickly as well.”
On maintaining the right mentality
The midfielder believes consistency in training, attitude and application will be crucial as Town look to emerge from their current difficult period.
Green acknowledged that players must recognise that recent performances have not been good enough, but warned against allowing disappointment to become an obstacle to improvement.
He insists the squad must learn from their defeats while continuing to work hard and support one another.
“You need to be consistent with your behaviours. You need to keep training well, keep running around, working hard, trying your best, trying to remain positive and not dwell too much.
“You’re obviously a little bit disappointed, and you’ve got to realise it’s not acceptable. You certainly can’t be happy about it, but you’ve got to try and remain as positive as possible and learn from the defeats.
“None of us wants to feel like this.”
On Tuesday’s opponents, Rochdale
Green expects a difficult test against a Rochdale side he believes are comfortable in possession and confident in the way they play.
The midfielder explained that Town have prepared for the challenge and developed a plan to counter the hosts’ strengths, but reiterated that the Mariners must concentrate on delivering their own performance.
“Yeah, they’re a good team. They keep the ball really well and they’re very brave on the ball.
“We’ve obviously done our own work on them, and we’ve put a plan together that we’re going to try to combat that with.”
On the travelling Mariners’ support
More than 1,000 Town supporters are expected to back the team at the Crown Oil Arena, and Green paid tribute to the travelling fans while urging them to get behind the players on Tuesday evening.
The midfielder promised that the squad will give everything in their efforts to secure a much-needed result and reward the supporters for their continued commitment.
“Just come down, make as much noise as you can and help and cheer us on.
“We’re going to run around, we’re going to run our socks off, and we’re going to try and get that win tomorrow night.”
You can watch Greeny’s pre-match presser here:
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