We got what we deserved - Stimson

Last updated : 22 March 2008 By Simon Head

"It's hard to put into words. I think it's great for the players. We said to them last Saturday that the week ahead was going to be about knuckling down, chin up and shoulders back as there will be a lot of rubbish thrown at you. We told them not to read the papers because some won't be kind and some will be telling the truth. If you deal with everything that will be thrown at you and dig in this week to do everything that Scott Barrett and I are asking of you, you will come out the other end and enjoy it. The boys that have been in this week, they have worked extremely hard and they deserved to get into the sixteen for today. There were some changes from last week for those reasons. The players who were involved today, the enjoyed it at the end but I said to the players after the game that we have to be professional now as we have got another tough game away to Port Vale on Monday.

"Last week was the lowest point for me as a Manager but this week, we are gradually climbing up to where we want to be and it's been through a lot of hard work. I did say last week that the only way through this was with hard work. There are no shortcuts. You cannot have a day or two off in the week and or me thinking that they need a rest or to stay away from the stadium and let them chill out. You have got to be full on it and that is what they have done this week. I know my Saturday evening will be good. Last Saturday, I was miserable and poor for my family. I cannot wait to get home tonight and talk about the game in the right way.

"Two weeks ago at Hartlepool, 2-0 down, on the front foot though and looking like we could get back in the game, their keeper saved it. Everyone could see the boys get depleted after that and we got beat 4-0. Last week at home, 1-0 down and we hit the post as the crowd are bouncing and the atmosphere is phenomenal. 20 seconds later it is 2-0. Today, we got what we deserved because of the hard work the boys put in this week. They have done what Scott and I asked them to do and they went out there with their shoulders back, plenty of heart and didn't forget they all have ability, can all play and pass the ball around. In the first 20 minutes, we didn't look like a team in the bottom four.

"The support today was absolutely fantastic again. We had a disaster of a result last week but the fans got behind the players from the start and they could sense that. They were told that all week and we had about 20 fans down at the training ground yesterday making a good atmosphere. The players have taken that on board and they have gone out and performed and hopefully they can maintain it for the rest of the season to make sure we are in this league for next season as that is where we want to be."