POST MATCH: SHAUN DERRY
Having claimed an excellent three points in Sky Bet League Two over Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night at the Abbey Stadium, Shaun Derry feels his side will now march into Saturday’s clash with Exeter brimming with confidence.
Josh Coulson headed home a first half winner for United, before the U’s defended their advantage manfully to move themselves within three points of the top seven.
Speaking post-match, Derry said: “The will to win is key but the will not to lose is almost as important. When you go with that mentality over the course of 95 minutes, you stay in the game and find that you can cause your opponent a real problem. I felt we did that perfectly tonight.
“We knew we needed to be on the front foot, willing to put our bodies on the line and defend from the front.
“It was not a pretty game, but it was one of them nights where Wycombe make no apologies for the way they play and we absolutely make no apologies for the way we handled that.
“There were key moments from the game where everybody stood up and was counted. Will Norris was able to relieve some of the pressure towards the end with a few catches but not only that, right across the 14 MEN that played in the game, everybody earned the three points.”
Meanwhile, the U’s boss praised the role of the Amber Army and delivered a call to arms as the club approaches the closing stages of the 2015/16 season.
He said: “It’s not just about the individuals now, it’s about a collective. That goes throughout the club and the fans really played a part tonight and backed the boys when they were defending on the edge of their 18 yard line.
“That takes us into Saturday, hoping that we can get another big gate and more people will come and watch us put on another positive performance.
“We have to reach for the stars and see where that takes us. It has been an incredible journey already and we’ve given ourselves a real fighting chance.”
Tickets for Saturday’s game against Exeter City (K.O. 3:00pm) are available online, in-store and over the phone by calling 01223 566 500.