Player interviews

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Yeovil Town’s two-goal hero Dylan Morgan has spoken to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins about the part he played in Yeovil’s 3-1 win over Dover.

“We started really well, the boys came out like a house on fire, I am buzzing to get two goals, it’s two great assists from Sam and Fish, I was really, really trying to get the third, but we had to control the game, so it wasn’t the day for that overall, I’m just buzzing for the boys, it’s been a great season.

Another unbelievable turn out from our fans, so, overall a great day.

The gaffer always talks about pull backs, so every time the ball goes out wide, I know where to be and the boys know where the players are, so as long as I get myself in those areas, I’ll score goals, I always back myself in front of goal, so I’ve just got to get myself in those areas.”

“I am buzzing to get two goals, I was really, really trying to get the third!”

With the game having not a lot riding on it, Morgan spoke about how he himself and the club as a whole attacked the game.

“All the players have got personal pride, we want to win all the time, if it was a thumb war, or a football match, everyone wants to win, we’e a team full of winners and that what you need if you want to achieve in football.”

Dylan Morgan gets past his man
📸 Gary Brown

The former Taunton winger also spoke about how his team mates have helped him settle in to a new club and settle back into a Full Time schedule after moving to Huish Park.

“For me, it’s been massive, coming in half way through the season, I was a bit nervous, the boys got me on board with the program straight away, they got their arm around me, I thank them all for that, to help me find my feet here.

It’s been brilliant, I’ve worked so hard to try and get back and try and take the opportunity, I’m forever thankful to Yeovil and the gaffer to give me the opportunity to come back, now it’s up to me to make it work it again.

I’ve only been here four or five months, so there’s loads to learn, and with a manager like that I can push on and push on, I’m happy to pick up some form, and hopefully I can come back next season and start really well.”

With a title in the bag and a flight to Barcelona waiting for Morgan and some of the squad, the winger simply left his final thoughts with the fans.

“I’m buzzing for the fans, they can see this club succeed again, it’s been a rough couple years, they can enjoy this more than anyone, to see Yeovil back doing well.”

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Yeovil Town top-scorer Rhys Murphy is looking forward to returning to action at Huish Park when the Glovers take on Hampton & Richmond this weekend.

The frontman, who netted his 13th goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 2-2 draw at Dartford on Saturday, admitted a month of away games had taken its toll on the side.

They have picked up five points from their four National League South matches since the 4-2 win over Farnborough during their last outing on home soil in mid-November, and they now have three of their next five games at Huish Park over the Christmas period.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah on Thursday, Murphy said: “It’s been an intense few weeks with lots of travelling to away games, but we knew it was coming because earlier in the season we had played a lot at home.

“It is brilliant to be back in front of our fans and they will be out in their numbers like they have been all season and we can put on a show for them.

“As a player you want to be playing football, whatever day of the month it is, it all blurs in to one, you are playing football and that is the main thing.”

Rhys Murphy walks away wondering how he missed an early chance in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Dartford.

Murphy started last weekend’s draw at Dartford which saw Yeovil stretch their lead at the top of the table to seven points but he had not been in the starting XI since the 1-1 draw at Chippenham Town at the end of November.

He admitted that having the likes of Frank Nouble, Jake Hyde and more recently Alex Fisher, as well as forwards Jordan Young and on loan Sonny Cox (who has now returned to his parent club Exeter City) did spur him on to find form.

The top-scorer said: “You work hard all week on the training pitch all week and you want to play football. We have another good run of fixtures coming up now and it’s something to sink our teeth in to and hopefully we can come out with plenty of points and still top of the table.

“We have a really good group of players, so you know if you are not starting you know that you are fighting to get your shirt back. But, even if you are not starting you have to think about how you can effect a game without even coming on, so you always want to be ready and know that when your chance comes you have to take it.

“Good competition gets the best out of everyone because even when you are playing great you know you have to be at it to keep your shirt but (having good players in the squad) can also save your legs. It’s a long, hard season, so you have to look at the big picture.

“Some times you might get frustrated but that is because we all want to play. That is a good thing if you can channel that positively.”

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Returning Yeovil Town midfielder Charlie Cooper has said how he is proud of the way the Glovers handled themselves in defeat to Wrexham in the FA Cup.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the game, he reiterated his pride at the way the side fought against a side two divisions above the visitors. – You can listen to the entire interview below.

“It wasn’t an easy one, I think the lads were great today, obviously it’s a tough place to come, a team that are at the top end of League Two and are probably going to get promoted this season – and it wouldn’t surprise me if they go again next season – a tough place to come, but I think we’ve done ourselves proud, we’re just a bit frustrated, fine moments in the game, we haven’t concentrated and that’s let us down, but the overall play and the chances we had, I think we were decent.”

“That’s what they’re all about, they just created loads of pressure and long throws, corners, switching the play, they play with two focal points up front, we just switched off at key moments in the game and went in at 2-0 down, which is a killer really, but I think we came out in the second half really held our own, we played some good stuff and committed a lot of bodies forward, had a few chances but unfortunately they caught us at the end for 3-0. It’s unlucky, but it’s a good performance.

“We definitely had chances, a couple in the first half and then a few in the second half as well, I think if we keep in 0-0 at half time, it’s always going to be interesting, but we didn’t do that and they’ve punished us, like I said, we’re proud of our performance but a little bit frustrated at the same time. 

Speaking to Gloverscast Ben after his chat with Sheridan, Cooper thought his first half chance, which drew a save out of Mark Howard in the Wrexham net was destined for the top corner – as was Jordan Young’s free kick.

“I thought it was in you know, I thought he was going to palm in into his net, but obviously it didn’t go in, it was frustrating, Youngy’s had one off the bar as well, moment’s like that – something goes our way there and it makes it really interesting, but it just didn’t go our way today.

“It’s ridiculous, he (Jordan Young) is a talent to be fair, I don’t even bother trying to get on the free kicks now because it’s either a goal or it’s going close, I see it a lot in training and he’s proved it in games as well, he’s got unbelievable technique and a great left foot, so I leave him to it”

“I thought it was in you know, I thought he was going to palm in into his net… Youngy’s had one off the bar as well”

Cooper was booked early in the first half, with a – ahem – feisty, Elliot Lee snapping at his heels all game, the midfielder had to keep his wits about him, so he did what anyone would do, make friends with the referee.

“I was trying to talk to the ref, we ended up good mates in the end, that’s the way to go now, it’s my first tackle and I got a yellow card so I was a bit frustrated with it, but I just tried to keep disciplined – I need to improve on that”

“Listen, we were never going to win the FA Cup, we’re disappointed that we didn’t get anything today, but the bread and butter is the league and that’s what we have got to do now, we had a little dip, came off that big run that we were on, but I think everyone in there believes we can go on another run like that and create more of a gap at the top of the table”

“The fans were unbelievable, I don’t think they stopped singing all game, they out sung the Wrexham fans, they’re going to back us again on Wednesday, I think they knew today was going to be a tough one, but Wednesday, we owe it to them to put it right and go and get three points”

The full interview with Charlie Cooper can be listened to below

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Yeovil Town goalkeeper Joe Day said his team-mates were happy to pick up a point despite not being at their “fluid best” in the 1-1 draw at Chippenham Town on Tuesday night.

The on-loan Newport County keeper was beaten by a freak own goal by defender Morgan Williams in the 89th minute in Wiltshire, but he said a draw was acceptable after his team-mates missed a number of chances to score.

Speaking on Thursday, the 33-year-old said the Glovers now have to make the point a worthwhile one with victory at Welling United on Saturday.

He said: “Being realistic we are not going to be at our fluid best every game, so to come away with a point away from home we have to take the point and turn it in to a good point with a win on Saturday.

“I don’t think anyone is going to be easy to play against. Most teams we have come up against make themselves hard to break down, we felt that against Chippenham who defended well behind the ball. But we have got to come to expect that, when you are top of the table teams are going to want to be hard against you and it’s up to us to overcome that.

“Everyone wanted to keep the winning run going til the end of the season, but we are still unbeaten and as long as we are where we want to be at the end of the season, no-one is going to worry about the runs, it’s all about being at the right point of the season.

“I like to think of my goals as team goals because it takes an entire team to get a clean sheet, so measuring success as a goalkeeper is about performance levels and how we defended the box as a unit. Everyone in the team wants a clean sheet, not just me.”

The same back four – Michael Smith, Jake Whittle, Morgan Williams and Alex Whittle – started in front of Day for 11 consecutive games until an injury to Wannell in the 26th minute of the 4-2 home win over Farnborough broke the run.

On loan Bristol City youngster Duncan Idehen, 21, has featured in the FA Trophy exit at Torquay United and the draw at Chippenham Town on Tuesday night and Day has been impressed with how he has filled the void. Manager Mark Cooper revealed on Thursday that he expects Wannell to be available for selection against Welling.

Day said: “Dunc’s come in well. He’s stepped in to a strong partnership between Morgs (Williams) and Wans (Jake Wannell), so to come in to that is difficult for him as a young lad but I think he’s done himself justice. Whenever you change the back line, there has to be a level of adaptation and it’s frustrating we have not to keep that continuity. But over the course of the season, you have to deal with these things.”

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Yeovil Town’s Hat Trick hero, Jordan Young spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the Glovers’ 4-2 over Farnborough, there was only one place to start, those three wonderful goals;

“Its obviously amazing, it’s my first (Hat Trick), i’m over the moon, it’s a massive three points, but i”m happy.”

The game itself was an entertaining affair, with six goals, two pretty good penalty appeals, a cross bar rattled and chances galore, Young was happy to get over the line.

“It felt very end-to-end, especially first half, the gaffer said at half time, we need to slow it down a little bit and keep the ball for longer periods and we’ll get chances.

I think that was what we did, when we went 3-1 up, I thought we controlled the game a bit, but they were a good side, they worked on what they did well and caused us problems.”

It genuinely feels like every game we’re going to win at the minute

“It genuinely feels like every game we’re going to win at the minute and we’ve just got to keep that going, I don’t know where we can take it, just game by game.”

“Whitts was suspended and Jake felt him hammy in the first half and that disrupted it, but the boys came in and did really well and saw out the game, which is the main thing”

The former Chippenham man will miss next week’s game against his former club after picking up a 5th yellow card of the season, we get the feeling he’s a bit disappointed about it.

“I was fuming all game, as soon as (the booking) happened, I was like ‘oh my god, what am I doing?’, but it’s part of football, I can’t – in the game, you don’t think ‘don’t make a tackle’, but it is what it is.

“My body is a bit sore, I took a couple of knocks, but it was a tough game, they were good at what they did and made it tough for us”

You can listen to the full interview here… listen in to find out which of the three goals was his favourite.

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Yeovil Town goal-scorer Sonny Blu Lo-Everton believes his wonder strike in tonight’s 3-1 win at Torquay United is just the start for him.

The former Watford youngster capped an all-action display with a stunning strike for the visitors’ second as they ran out comfortable winners at Plainmoor and restored their three point advantage at the top of National League South.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Tom Seymour at the end of the game, he said: “I do need to shoot more, so that’s a start anyway! It was good to get my first goal of the season and at a really good time.

“I am taking on a different role at the moment, a little bit deeper, but I am enjoying it. When you are in the team you want to stay in the team, it is as simple as that, you need to make it your position and give the manager no excuses to drop you.”

The visitors took the lead through former Gulls’ striker Frank Nouble before Lo-Everton added a second. Gary Johnson’s men came out for the second half with a bit more of a spring in their step (or should that be a flea in their ear?) and pulled one back before substitute Jake Hyde sealed it with a third.

Sonny said: “We had a game plan to dominate possession and we did that and that’s the thing that killed them, definitely in the first half. Second half it got away from us a little bit for periods, but when you get the third goal that kills their momentum.

“In the first half there was definitely a mismatch before the two sides but there were points in the second where it was touch and go. After that third goal, that is the game. They may lump it long and win a couple of headers but no drama.”

The victory – which makes it 12 in a row in all competitions, in case you didn’t know – puts Yeovil three points ahead of second-placed Aveley with games in hand over four of the rest of the top seven.

But, Sonny is not getting carried away. He added: “We all know that everyone needs to keep a level head, it’s 12 wins in a row but you have to forget about that and look at the next game.

“There’s nothing better than winning and 12 on the spin is a big number but you don’t look at the 12 you look at the next game.”

Here’s the full interview with Sonny and BBC’s Somerset’s Tom Seymour

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Yeovil Town goal-scorer Jake Hyde believes his team-mates ability to win in all conditions will help keep them in the promotion race in National League South this season.

The experienced frontman came off the bench to score for the second time this week as he netted the second in a 2-0 win over Braintree Town at a rain-soaked Huish Park.

He appeared as a 60th minute substitute alongside fellow frontman Frank Nouble and had to slog it out on a sodden surface before the pair combined to seal the three points which move the Glovers six points clear at the top of the table.

Speaking after the match, Hyde said: “It was very difficult conditions. It was not a pretty game and you can only play the conditions and the fact we are finding a way to win whether that is footballing or direct and we are managing teams and conditions is really pleasing. It was tough out there but I think we handled it well.

“The best teams at any level find a way to win, that might be away from home or at home, and sometimes your Plan A is not always going to work which may be due to conditions. So today was a really tough but disciplined performance.”

Jake Hyde celebrates his 90th minute goal at a rain-soaked Huish Park.
Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

The former Southend United and Wrexham player had a similar impact on Tuesday night when he arrived to kill the game with a goal deep in to stoppage time and today’s goal brings him to three goals for the season.

He told our man Ian Perkins that watching from the sidelines whilst the likes of Rhys Murphy and Nouble start matches and find the net has not been easy.

Hyde said: “That is when character comes in to it, when things are against you that is when you find out what sort of character you are. All you can do in that situation is get your head down and start working hard and when you do get your opportunities you have to start taking them.

“It is new for me because I have been lucky with the clubs I have played for to not sit on the bench too much, so that is new for me.

“But it is important that you do what is right by yourself, so it’s all about being as professional as possible and when you do get your opportunities, take them, hard work and things will change for you. That is what I have been trying to do.

“We have got some good competition in my position here, we have got experienced players, goalscorers, lots of options and I think that is going to be a big part in making this group successful.”

The three points coupled with a defeat for second-placed Bath City means Yeovil extended their advantage at the top of the table – but Hyde is under no illusion that the side has only just started.

He said: “It is a fantastic start and it is still early for us as a group of players because we are still getting to know each other and building as a team.

“I think that to be where we are so far is a good start, but it is only a start because it is a long season and a lot can still happen.

“On and off the pitch it is a brilliant group of lads and we are very tight knit which you are going to have to be if you want to be successful.”

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

There might be ten consecutive wins* up for grabs, but Yeovil Town top-scorer Rhys Murphy is seeing nothing more than three points against Braintree Town this weekend.

The marksmen has ten goals in all competitions to his name this season and is part of a Glovers’ side in a scintillating run of form and is hungry for more – wins and goals, that is.

But, speaking on Thursday ahead of the match at Huish Park, he revealed the manager Mark Cooper and his staff are not allowing anyone to get carried away.

He said: “There’s no chance of us getting too confident in the run we are having. The manager, the staff are on us every day. You may have won the last game but that means nothing, move on to the next one.

“We are having team meetings about the opposition and their strengths and weaknesses and we show them the respect they deserve, but there’s going to be no foot coming off the gas and we are going to be attacking every game and going in to win it.”

Asked about the possibility of moving in to double figures in their winning run, Murphy added: “We are not looking at breaking records, if they come along that’s great, but the aim is bigger than getting a record in the season. The focus is on making sure we are promoted.

“It would be pretty pointless breaking a record in October and not getting promoted. Your eyes always have to be on the bigger picture.”

By his (admittedly very high) standards, the frontman is having a bit of a goal drought having not scored in the last three matches albeit he has been instrumental in setting up a number of goals scored by his team-mates.

He was replaced after 70 minutes in the midweek win over W*ymouth and his replacement, Jake Hyde, went on to bag the side’s second deep in to second half stoppage time. 

To add to the strength of the Glovers’ forward line, Sonny Cox, the teenage striker on loan from League One Exeter City, impressed having replaced Frank Nouble at the same point in the game – and Murphy admits the competition is spurring the players on.

Murphy said: “Players can’t afford to take their eye off the ball, they need to be training hard and showing they are worthy of a start every week.

“You have to earn you shirt and when you do you need to be taking your chance and, if you don’t, there are people coming in to take your place. And even if you are playing well, the manager has shown he is able to make substitutes that impact in games.

“We saw that the other night (against W*ymouth) and there has been other occasions where subs have come on and had a really strong impact on the game which is great.

“It’s a long hard season where the entire squad is going to be needed and you are not going to be successful with only one or two players performing. We need everybody and at the moment, everybody is pulling their weight.”

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Yeovil Town opening goal hearo Jake Wannell told the club’s Youtube channel that he was happy to keep contributing with goals as the Glovers’ progressed into the first round proper of the FA Cup. 

“It felt good, they can take the ball home and we can go into the next round, 

On a personal level, I do set myself a target, I am one away – I probably should have had another one last week, missed from two yards, it was harder to miss last week – we go again next week.

I set (a target) five for the season as a centre back, that’s quite high, they’re (the squad) are now all saying they want ten, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Four goals already and the former Taunton man wants more, especially with the group doing so well. 

“At home, we seem to be clicking really well and that shows in the dressing room after, that we’re all together, it’s good times at the minute.

We knew about (Southend’s) squad struggles coming into it, we also knew their strengths and I felt like we dealt with that really well today especially as a back four/back five at some points.

The unit was really strong I felt like tactically today we were we spot on to get a clean sheet against a good team in the National League was was a good bonus.”

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Despite seeing Yeovil Town score two fantastic goals, goalkeeper Joe Day has happiest to end today’s FA Cup win over Southend United with a clean sheet.

You can listen to whole interview at the bottom of this article.

The on-loan Newport County keeper made a couple of vital interceptions to keep the visitors out whilst stunning strikes from defender Joe Wannell and frontman Jordan Young booked a place in the competition’s first round.

It is only the keeper’s second clean sheet since arriving at Huish Park at the start of September, with the other coming in the competition’s previous round, a 2-0 home win over Didcot Town.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the fourth qualifying round win, Day said: “As much as the goals were fantastic, for me to see the players in front of me show the maturity of that performance took the pressure of a team that is doing really well in the league above was really pleasing to see us cope with it and cope with us well.

“They had a lot of possession but that was our plan. We wanted to stay compact and defend our box and we wanted to enjoy defending.

“The Gaffer (manager, Mark Cooper) is probably the happiest man here because the work he has put in this week on the training ground really showed today.”

Joe Day, who has been ever-present since joining on loan from Newport County at the start of September.
? Those White Lines

The 33-year-old was not being drawn on who he wants in the next round of the competition with his parent club in the hat when the draw is made at 2.30pm on Sunday.

But, he was pleased to make it seven wins in a row with the victory and had a word of praise for Will Buse, the Yeovil-born keeper who he replaced in the starting line-up, for his contribution in keeping him on his game.

Day said: “Performances have been really strong and results have been really good. All I wanted to do was to bring a bit of experience to the squad.

“Will Buse is a fantastic young goalkeeper and he shows in training how good he is. I hope he can learn a lot from me and vice versa, I always like to pick things up from every goalkeeper I work with.

“With Phil (Osborn), the goalkeeper coach, we have a really good goalkeeper’s union there, a strong bond and hopefully we can keep this run going and keep building on more clean sheets.”

Will Buse, who started this season as Yeovil’s number one. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Here’s the full interview with Joe Day and Sheridan Robins