Danny Schofield has full faith that the style of football he has implemented at Rovers will lead to consistently positive results in the long run.
Speaking to the media ahead of Tuesday’s rearranged clash with Tranmere Rovers, Schofield confidently defended his approach and insisted work continues in order to rectify the issues that have led to recent disappointing results.
Schofield’s message to supporters:
“I can understand frustrations. When results aren’t good, it does add frustration within as well as for supporters.
“It’s about believing in the process, the things we’re trying to do, the way we're trying to play football. I believe the performances have been pretty positive and we’ll get there with the results.
“I think we’re pretty much there in playing the football that I want to see. The results haven’t been there. We speak all the time about how to improve in certain areas but as a general overview of it, I think the football is there. We want to dominate the ball and we are doing, the stats say that. We want to create chances and we are doing. Against Hartlepool we just didn’t finish the action and we conceded one shot on target which brought the goal.
“Sometimes this is football and it throws up these challenges to you. You have to overcome these challenges and the only way know how is to work hard to try to rectify them.
“In terms of the lads buying into the way of playing, I think we’re there.”
On the style of play:
“I’ve been employed by the football club to create an identity and a way of playing football. We had a period over Christmas where we were playing exactly the same way and winning football games.
“The last three results haven’t been there but I’m very process-driven. I’m all about processes and eventually the processes will be the things that allow us to have consistent results.
“The results haven’t been there in the last three games but I fully believe they will do. I fully believe in this way of playing football, I fully believe in my coaching methods and I fully believe the players are capable of carrying that out on the football pitch.
“I think it’s winning football games. Ultimately that’s what every supporter wants to see and feel. That’s what I want to see and feel.
“But how do you get results? It’s about working hard and being relentless. It’s about believing in something you’re doing, which I fully do. It;’s about turning positive performances into results and more consistent results.”
On improving defensively:
“It’s working hard, it’s continuing to give the right messages to the players. It’s improving in certain key moments, it’s improving individually and collectively. That’s all we can do.
“I believe in my ability as a coach. There’s no wavering there in terms of improving players’ capabilities and getting them believing in what they’re doing right. That’s what we’ll continue to do.”
On targeting the top seven:
“You have to believe that. There’s no other way to think and have an outlook. We’re always looking up and how we can improve and keep climbing the table. There’s an old cliche about taking each game as it comes and we do that but we plan ahead as well, looking at games in advance.
“I’ve been buoyed by performances. If I didn’t think they were good, I would say that but I think we’re there. I think we’re competitive in pretty much every game.
“Games are decided in both boxes, ultimately, whatever your style of play. And we need to be fundamentally better in those areas whether we’re trying to finish an action or stop an opponent having a shot or creating an opportunity.
“Stick with the processes and we can look up, we can look up and look to climb that table.”
On the health of the squad:
“Ben Nelson is touch and go whether he’ll be involved against Tranmere. He’s gone for a scan, along with Harrison Biggins who is also touch and go.
“Ben felt his calf, during a tackle. Harrison was a bit of load and fatigue setting in there. Touchwood, it won’t be anything too serious with them.”
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