Club news
Written by: Jack
Scott Booth has spoken of his delight at the extra depth he has at his disposal following the incoming signings this window.
It was a frustrating scenerio again on Sunday with the weather putting a hault to our trip to Charlton but Scott hopes the rest will have done the players good.
“Training has been really good this week and the players are really up for it. It’s probably given them a bit of freshness as well not having the game Sunday.
“One or two players were carrying knocks so they’ve managed to get over that and a bit of tiredness and we’re ready to go.”
It’s a return to FA Cup action on Sunday and Scott reflects on the previous performance as the Rooks exited the Conti Cup to Bristol City.
“It was similar to Palace at home in many ways, we had chances, we had the best of the possession, we limited them to not many opportunities but we have to learn that lesson.
“When you have as much of the ball as we did, and create as many opportunities as we did, then you have to take them, especially against the good sides or you’ll be left to rue that performance.”
Scott’s team have struggled with injuries at points this season and with the incoming signings, he’s happy with how competitive the squad is now looking.
“It’s been a massive thing for us to bring new signings in, it’s always a good thing that in the January window you can strenghten the squad. The main thing for me is that we have competition throughout the side.
“The players we’ve brought in 100% bring that, they give us a little bit more flexibility as well because they can play in a number of positions.
“It’s a squad that is already now, starting to look a lot more competitive. It has more depth and gives us as coaches, more choices.
“It’s really good for players in training as well to play against good players, the more quality you can bring in, the higher the standards become.”
Sunday’s opponents, Ipswich Town, play in the same league as previous opposition London Bees, but Scott is expecting a sterner test.
“I think this will be a stronger test for us against Ipswich, which is no disprespect to London Bees, Ipswich are a very good side but we’ll go about it the same way.
“We have to keep up our professional standards because they’re a good, organised side, with some top players. We would like to think we can create opportunities against them, we have a good defensive record, and we want to go forward in the competition.
“We’re all looking forward to it and I think after Sunday’s postponment, the players are very much ready for it.
“One of the challenges we face is ensuring the players remain profesisonal no matter who the opponent is, no matter what the environment, no matter whether we’ve had three games in a week or no game in a while.
“It’s always our main focus and I have to be honest, the players have really done well in that department the whole season. Of course there’s one or two times we’ve had to re-emphasise it but they’re a great group and always want to be the best players they can be.”