Senior Press Assistant Ben Wiley sat down with First Team Manager Luke Garrard ahead of tomorrow’s National League match up against Eastleigh at Meadow Park, full transcript below: –
Ben: So firstly before we talk football, we’ve all seen the festive video the Club released on Christmas Day, can you talk us through your excellent singing and your fashion choice?
Luke: My singing is very questionable, but you can’t deny my effort. I definitely will not be giving up the day job, that’s for sure! I have to say my fashion on a day-to-day basis is much better, but the glasses and tinsel wasn’t my choice and I have to say I won’t be wearing that again any time soon.
Ben: Back to football and tomorrow’s game at home to Eastleigh, we’ve had an extra couple of day’s off after our Boxing Day clash with local rivals Barnet was postponed, are you secretly pleased as it allows more time for the players to recover?
Luke: Secretly pleased? No. But it is welcomed, as you have suggested, as it allowed for all the players carrying niggles to get fully recovered and focused for tomorrow’s match. Not having the game on Boxing Day also allowed for us to prepare like we would normally for a National League fixture as well, as it allowed for us get a structured session out on the training pitch, when we had originally planned for a rest and recovery session prior to the Barnet game being postponed.
In addition to this, Eastleigh’s Boxing Day against Aldershot Town was also called off, so with our game being postponed too, we both enter the game on an equal playing field and with fresh legs and minds.
It was a shame that the game didn’t go ahead at Barnet as I know the Wood Army would have been looking forward to the local derby on Boxing Day and getting their festive football fix. I do hope as many Wood fans can make it to our home double header against Eastleigh tomorrow and Barnet on New Years Day as possible, as we really need to get the North Bank rocking to continue our recent good home form, as I believe the support behind that end has really helped with our late goals.
Ben: Eastleigh arrive sitting mid-table, and it’s another chance to show just how strong we are at Meadow Park isn’t it?
Luke: Eastleigh will provide us with a very tough test tomorrow, they come here in form with three wins from their last six matches and have a side that possesses great quality throughout.
We are going to need to ensure we play at our maximum to get a result believe me. They will be physical and have individuals on their day that can cause us problems, as they showed in the away fixture at their place earlier in the season. We need to continue the run we are on and play with the confidence we have shown in the last eight National League fixtures.
Ben: Thanks for talking with me Luke, good luck to yourself and the team tomorrow.
Luke: Thank you, Ben.
