Player interviews (Page 9)

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Max Hunt against Halifax – Pic Courtesy of Mike Kunz

Yeovil defender Max Hunt spoke to the press before the Glovers’ game vs Stockport County on Saturday, speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins he was pleased with how he, and the side had started the season.

“I’ve been very pleased, I’ve had to do some work, (I) came back in pre-season fit like all the boys and how the gaffer and Terry (Skiverton) have worked us is credit to how we’ve started.”

Hunt was also full of praise for his central defensive partner, Luke Wilkinson, saying having the experience and know-how of Wilko and the consistency of having a settled defence was key to seeing the team improve.

“Last season there was a lot of different partners, a lot of different people playing in the back four for a number of different reasons, 

“Whenever I’ve played with Wilko, me and him have got a good relationship on and off the pitch – and we’ve had some good results, so let’s hope that continues.

Hunt drew praise from all corners following an incredible last ditch tackle against Halifax in the dying moments at the weekend – Gloverscast Ben described it as “as good as a goal” on the latest edition of the Podcast, whilst Darren Sarll also praised the defenders intervention.

“It was important, the boys had worked hard for 88 minutes, it’s important for me to make that tackle, thankfully I timed it well, the ref could have evened it up after he gave us a penalty, but I made sure I timed it right and didn’t give him the chance to”

There was talk of how Hunt is hoping to be more of a threat in the attacking situations as well as continuing to be resolute defensively with the central defender admitting he’d like a few more goals to his name as the season progresses.

“I think we’ve got a big side in general this season and our set piece takers are fantastic, so as a team, but me as well we have to start chipping in”

The fomer Carlisle man was adament that the team was confident of a positive result and said that he and the entire Glovers side were respectful of Ex-Yeovil forward Paddy Madden but that they were ready for the challenges the whole Stockport side will bring.

 

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Yeovil Town’s Watford loanee Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was singled out for praise by Darren Sarll when speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins following the Glovers’ 1-0 win over Halifax Town on Saturday.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Lo-Everton, who started in an attacking role just in behind frontman Joe Quigley before being substituted late on for Adi Yussuf caught the eye of the sponsors who gave him the Man of the Match, and his boss was full of praise for the 18-year-old:

“He’s a brilliant footballer, he has a brilliant mind, for someone that creative he is actually a little too inquisitive because he should just trust his eyes.

“If we all saw football like Sonny did, there would be far more creative players in the country and there isn’t and that is because they don’t see the game that way, Sonny certainly does and I think as he plays more for us, he will trust more what his eyes tell him more and he’ll be even sharper, quicker and smoother.

“He never looks like he has to try hard, Sonny, he has the lovely way of making everything look easy.”

Lo-Everton has now started each of the last two games for the Glovers after coming off the bench late on vs King’s Lynn on the opening day, and whilst he is yet to complete a full 90 minutes, he’s already making a lasting impression on this Yeovil side.

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Charlie Wakefield in action vs King’s Lynn – Pic Courtesy of Mike Kunz

Yeovil Town winger Charlie Wakefield spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins following the Glovers’ 1-0 home win over FC Halifax Town on Saturday and was delighted to secure not just a second win on the bounce, but also the team’s first clean sheet.

“It was a bit like Monday (vs Aldershot), we had to dig deep, it was an unbelievable atmosphere, Monday was an unbelievable atmosphere with the away fans and we’ve managed to do it again

“That’s our third game where we’ve come in at half time 1-0 up, first one (vs King’s Lynn) we lost a man, we let it slip, but to show the character to bounce back and get the win.

“I always feel like we enjoy these more than a 4-0 or 5-0, where you have to dig real deep, when the final whistle goes and you see the fans like that – it was some atmosphere, huh?”

On his own performances and his introduction to the Glovers’ team the former Chelsea academy product says he’s adapted his game for the good of the team.

“Normally I’d be a bit running at the ball (Editor’s Note; I think he means defence!), I’m a very direct player, I’ve been working, I feel like I’ve been working hard for the team and i’m enjoying that, I want to work, I want to be the one that puts the shift in for the boys, for the club.”

Wakefield was quick to highlight the performances of both Joe Quigley – who’s goal separated the two sides – and Max Hunt as a rock in defence during the win over the Shaymen.

“Joe, has been unbelievable hasn’t he? Unreal, when you’ve got someone on form like him, he goes into every game confident that he’s going to score – which helps me, if I go down the line, nine times out of ten, when you’re striker’s on form, he’s gunna put it in, so I get a bit of credit too!

“We are all in a really happy place… you want to work that extra mile, you want to put that extra yard in for the person next to you.

“Hunty (Max Hunt), at the end, his tackle, unreal, not only going forward are we clinical with Joe, but those sort of tackles means we get the win.”

Wakefield finished off the interview by saying there was no fear heading into next weekend’s game against Stockport, the team, he says couldn’t be going into the clash any more confident.

 

 

 

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Barnett in action vs King’s Lynn
Pic Courtesy of Mike Kunz

New Yeovil Town defender Jordan Barnett has been speaking to the Glovers’ official social channels prior to Saturday’s game with FC Halifax Town and says the fans and the squad have really helped him settle into his new surroundings.

The former Notts County man has started both league games for the Green and Whites so far with his performance against Aldershot Town drawing praise from Darren Sarll in his pre-match press conference.

“I’ve really settled in well, the fans have made me feel really welcome, on twitter saying really good things about me, saying I’ve got good passion. I want to show the fans that as well and I want to show them how good of a footballer I can be”

Barnett played a full 90 minutes in the win over Aldershot Town after coming off early against King’s Lynn Town to protect a hamstring niggle, the win was one he cherished, not just because of the result.

“It was a very good win, obviously the first win of the season and it was needed after Saturday’s performance (against King’s Lynn).

“It was a great moment to celebrate with the fans, with the (Lee Collins) flag as well, I know what it means to the fans and the players”

Darren Sarll spoke of an electric atmosphere on the bus back from the game after the Bank Holiday Monday victory a tale backed up by the former Oldham full-back.

“It was very good, all jumping, dancing and singing, something I’ve never really experienced before”

Barnett will almost certainly line up at left-back once again as Yeovil host  FC Halifax Town in front of the BT Sport camera’s on Saturday.

 

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Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll praised his side for a “robust and charismatic” performance following the Glovers 2-1 win over Aldershot.

During the gaffer’s post match comments to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, Sarll named-checked just about the entire team with Millwall loanee Dan Moss, Charlie Wakefield, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Luke Wilkinson and Dale Gorman all singled out.

But, it was Joe Quigley’s brace which stood out for many including Sarll who said that the team were ‘hanging their hat’ on Quigley up front and that he was stepping up to the plate.

Sarll said: “His next step is to be ‘that guy’, we’ve seen plenty of them at this football club. His work rate was excellent, we are seeing a better relationship with him and the other players and his qualities.”

There was plenty of talk about how well the side banded together after defeat on Saturday, but there was plenty of praise for the fans who enjoyed another special moment after the final whistle.

“Great to have that rapport back with them (the fans). It probably started here… we enjoy winning here, we worked very hard to try and win and today was a very robust and charismatic performance.”

“I was it a really great moment, really great with Lee and the flag (the players spent time with supporters displaying a supporter’s banner in memory of Lee Collins) all these things make it that little more extra special, I thought the character of the players today and the physical performance of the players was quite incredible”.

Yeovil Town next face Halifax Town on Saturday with a 17:15 kick off on the dreaded BT sport.

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Joe Quigley hammers home the opener.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town striker Joe Quigley spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins following the Glovers’ 2-1 win over Aldershot.

Quigley, who scored both Yeovil goals, said both he and the team were glad to be off and running at the second time of asking.

“It’s (getting a win) something, off the back of last season and how long it took us to get the first win, to get it in the 2nd game is massive.”

Quigley now has three goals in two games and is pleased with how he has started the season.

“I had a really good pre-season, I felt sharp in pre-season and I’m glad it’s coming out in the (competitive) games… but I definitely should have had a third!”

Quigley has taken on a more senior role at the head of Yeovil’s attack with the injury to Reuben Reid and departure of Rhys Murphy, something which the number 10 is happy to take on.

“I’ve got people around me who help just as much, supplying the balls and being just as much a part of scoring the goals.”

There was praise not only for his duo of strike partners, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Adi Yussuf, but the biggest praise was set aside for the fans who Quigley said spurred the team on.

“It makes such a difference – it lifts the lads. 80th minute, it’s 1-1 and you can hear the crowd signing and it lifts the lads massively. It almost forces the ball into the net.”

After two games in 48 hours to kick start the season, the team will have a little extra rest with a late kick off when Halifax Town visit for the live game on Saturday where Joe Quigley will be hoping to continue in his goal scoring form.

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Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins following the Glovers’ 2-1 defeat to King’s Lynn Town on Saturday.

Yeovil took the lead before succuming to two late goals following the dismissal of Matt Worthington late on in the first half, something with Sarll says might not have changed the game, but did change his side’s energy levels as the match wore on.

“I’m not a big believer that red cards do change games, but what they changed for us was the energy levels, I thought the second goal in particular was a very tired defence, without the zest to deal with it.

“It was an awful goal, horrendous

“We looked weak, and the only way them lads look weak is then they look tired, we will put that into fatigue”

Sarll also noted that he wasn’t overly pleased with how his side handled the ball whilst also admitting that after three weeks without a game the squad are learning in competitve fixtures rather than friendlies.

“I looked at a team who have got to learn in the league rather than in friendlies, a team that has got to learn on the run, but there were some good things, some very good performances”

“We were depleated, we had already used (new loan signing Dan) Moss with Barnett coming away and but I thought in the last ten minutes the subs brought a bit of impetuse”

When asked about the incident that led up to Matt Worthington’s red card, Sarll said that whilst he didn;t have a great view, he cannot complain with the decision.

“Everyone says it’s a red card… I thought it was high, the players have said it was high, he’s made a mistake Matty, but as I say, I don’t think it affected the outcome of the game”

The Glovers’ manager was asked about the positive impacts of  few of his players and highlighted Charlie Wakefield, Tom Knowles and Adi Yussuf as all having moments and glimpses of what they might offer.

Looking further ahead with a game against Aldershot on bank holiday Monday, Sarll noted the team would be in training on Sunday but that his team would be picked on energy levels with numbers at a premium.

“It’ll be case of seeing who is as close to 100% as they can be for Monday and trying to pick a shape and a side around energy levels”

Jordan Barnett was taken off during the game, something which has been confirmed as a severe bout of cramp, Sarll confirming he made the switch with the Aldershot game in mind.

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Following Yeovil Town’s opening day defeat to King’s Lynn, Glovers midfielder Josh Staunton admitted that the loss was ‘frustrating’ and that two lapses in concentration were all that separated the hosts from their visitors.

Josh Staunton in the thick of it against King’s Lynn Town.

The Glovers were reduced to 10-men in the first half when Matt Worthington was given his marching orders, something which Staunton admits didn’t help, but maybe wasn’t the definitive moment in the match.

“We are disappointed… It (the red card) was early on, we were slow finding our feet, but it killed our momentum after the goal, our structure looked good, they were struggling to break us down, which makes it all the more disappointing to concede two late on.”

“We probably switched off on two occasions – we’d headed away ball  after ball all afternoon – and then twice when it mattered, we were found wanting a bit”

Yeovil had actually got off to a positive start with Joe Quigley opening the scoring, but despite the early lead, the change in momentum gave the Linnets much more of the ball throughout the game.

“Yeah, it was a hell of a strike by Quigz (Joe Quigley)” Staunton told BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins,

“But it’s not an ideal team to go down to 10-men against, they play it around nicely with the wing backs pushing high, it penned us in

“For the majority of the game, I felt personally quite comfortable, they were never really penetrating us too badly, it was two sloppy goals, it wasn’t like they carved us open, we will look back at them and know theyre avoidable”

Attention soon turned to the future, with the Glovers back in action in less than 48 hours time against Aldershot.

“I know there’s a lot more to come from the group and hopefully we can get games where we can get a foothold in the game and can build and build and build.”

“I think it (the Aldershot game) is a perfect chance, early on in the season.. there’s no dwelling on it from us, we’ve got to get ourselve’ right tomrrow and get to Aldershot and get a result we need”

 

 

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Yeovil Town midfielder Josh Staunton spoke candidly about his topsy turvy time at Huish Park when appearing on the latest Gloverscast, despite chatting about how ankle and knee injuries nearly ended his career let alone his season, the former Halifax Town man was still positive and upbeat about the Glovers chances this season as well as his own personal ambitions.

“We were all massively disappointed with last season and it is now time to put it right.”

“We have fresh group of players and at times, especially after seasons like we had last year, you need a refresh, you need new characters around the dressing room who have no association with the club.”

Staunton managed just a handful of games in his first season with the club, but having played plenty of football at National League level remains one of the more experienced members of the side, something which he believes he can use to his advantage following the the departure of Charlie Lee, Carl Dickinson and Jimmy Smith

“They (Dickinson, Lee, Smith) are huge characters to replace and they embedded something in the club and it’s now time for other players to step up, fill those boots and be those senior voices.

“Even when I was 20, I was a leader in terms of what I did on the pitch and off it and I think it is a character trait you have.”

Whilst the Captains armband has been worn by new signing Mark Little for the first couple of preseason fixtures, a role Staunton admits he’d like, but wouldn’t define his performances.

“I would love to be captain one day, the way pre-season has gone Litts (Mark Little) will be captain, he is an unbelievable character and a great character in the dressing room, It would be a huge honour to be captain of Yeovil, but I will do exactly the same in the way I play whether I am wearing an armband or not.”

Whether skipper or not, Staunton has joined a number of other squad members in outlining their ambitions to get Yeovil out of the National League and back where it belongs, in the Football League.

“If we went in to the season and we were not saying (we can get promoted), a club of this stature should be worried…A few of the more senior boys have set ourselves targets and our targets are clear, we have not come here to be part of this league for a long time.”

You can catch the latest edition of the Gloverscast wherever you get your Audio on demand,
or via the ‘Podcast’ page of the Gloverscast.co.uk

 

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Josh Staunton has revealed that one specialist only gave him a 20% chance of playing again after a knee injury which kept him out for most of last season.

The Yeovil Town midfielder spoke to the Gloverscast in a podcast which will be available on Monday about the injury which ended his season after just seven matches last year.

He recalled how during the FA Cup defeat at Stockport County last November he suffered an injury where he felt like his knee “exploded” and could not move it when he got back on the bus.

But, he played in the home game with Eastleigh just two days later “loaded up with painkillers” with the Glovers suffering an injury crisis at the time.

The 25-year-old recalled: “I was as good as useless, I had half a leg to stand on and every time I got the ball I felt uncomfortable.

“In hindsight, I never should have played but I thought I could get through for the benefit of the team and went for a scan and it was about as bad as it could be.

“There was a period of time where specialists were saying I would never play again. One specialist gave me a 20% chance of running properly again, so there was a time where I thought that was me done.

“Then I saw a different specialist and there was a bit more optimism and that triggered something inside me and I thought to myself ‘this is a chance to come back better’ and I had something to push towards.”

In a new episode of the Gloverscast due out now, Josh spoke to Ben Barrett about the tragic loss of club captain Lee Collins, the frustrations of the disappointing National League campaign last season and his hopes for the coming campaign.