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00:01Hugo, just a couple of days out from Wembley now, presumably it's all ready to go now, I'm really looking forward to it.
00:07Yeah, well we've trained this morning, we've got one more training session tomorrow which is Saturday
00:13and we'll be as ready the best we can be, same really as we have been all season if I'm honest with you,
00:18nothing's really changed in terms of the way we approach games, so yeah we'll be ready to go and look forward to it.
00:25Obviously it was a great win here on Monday against the Oval to sign off the lead campaign which obviously is a great way to wrap that up.
00:32How has the week been since then leading up?
00:35Well we played Monday, the players were off Tuesday, we trained Wednesday off Thursday and then we trained Friday and Saturday.
00:43So it's been a bit of a weird time because obviously not having a game last Saturday, we follow a specific process in terms of lead up to games,
00:51so we took the game as a starting point and Sunday just worked backwards and the most important thing really is,
00:57specifically at this stage of the season is the players aren't going to get any fitter or anything like that,
01:02so it's just about keeping them and helping them to be as fresh as they can for the last game of the season.
01:09And obviously I guess it's been a bit of bouncing out of acknowledging it's obviously such a historic occasion, a big game,
01:15but also trying to not over-egg it and treat it like a normal game as well.
01:18Well yeah, I mean you can't pretend it's not a normal game because it's very different to what we're used to
01:24and it's a day that we want to enjoy, we want our families to enjoy it, we want the supporters to enjoy it,
01:30and everyone who works at the club, whether they volunteers or not, to make the most of the day,
01:35but ultimately it comes down to a game of football.
01:39Spenner will be saying the same thing, we both want to win the game,
01:43but I'm sure both sides, regardless of the outcome, will enjoy the occasion.
01:48Yeah, so it's 99 years of football in order short and it's the first time a club's at Wembley,
01:52so you've already created a real history there.
01:54Well yeah, we're very proud of it. Do you know what, since we've been here,
01:57for the two seasons that we've been here, we're actually really proud of the fact that we've given the club
02:02what we consider to be some really big days, you know, to Swindon, Stockport, going to West Brom,
02:08we've been to Bradford, obviously with the Swindon one that was an historical day in terms of the outcome,
02:14and now Wembley, and so I think we've provided the club with some big days,
02:19but this probably will top it all because, you know, even for me, it's the same for everyone,
02:26when we're young boys, we dream of playing at Wembley and, you know, when you go on to the other side of it,
02:32of coaching and managing, you know, then you want to be involved in that side.
02:35So yeah, the chance to go and coach the team at the national stadium or for the players to play in it,
02:41I mean, it's, everyone dreams of it, so, but yeah, we've got to be calm in terms of our thinking
02:49and decision-making on the day, but yeah, listen, knowing the players like I do
02:52and the way that they train and they're approaching the game,
02:55I like to think that whatever happens, we'll leave very little out there.
02:59And you'll have a look around Wembley tomorrow,
03:01get yourself acclimatised before Sunday?
03:03Yeah, we'll have a look around, you know, just to be able to look like a tourist, I suppose.
03:11So that way then that's how to the way run, turn up on the day going,
03:14oh, wow, look at all this, you know, we'll do that tomorrow.
03:16So then we can focus on getting down to business on Sunday.
03:20And, you know, pretty much 18,000 tickets sold, I mean, it's going to be a great turnout with red and blue
03:26to sort of see all that really, isn't it?
03:28It's amazing, you know, going back to last season at West Brom,
03:32when we had that whole stand that we filled with 5,000 odd shots, you know, that in itself was amazing.
03:37So you're talking about tripling or quadrupling that, that's just phenomenal.
03:42And I'm looking forward to the noise when we come out of the tunnel to start the game
03:47because I know it's going to be amazing and, you know, it'll be a moment that we'll all remember.
03:52And obviously, yeah, great day, obviously top it off, obviously looking to top it off with the win,
03:57but you're presumably, obviously fully respect Spennymore and they've had a great run really,
04:00haven't they?
04:01Yeah, this is the thing where people got to remember, obviously, we're a higher division than them.
04:06So what? You know, they've had a fantastic run. They've beaten three teams in our division.
04:10They're not just, they've beaten three really good teams, you know, so we massively respect them.
04:16Tom and I have got some recent, we've been to, we've played against Spennymore in our last club before we came here.
04:22So we know what, you know, we know what sort of club they are and they're good people.
04:26And they'll be saying to themselves, look, we've beaten three teams that are potentially higher paced in the division
04:31and that's why, why can't we beat all the shots?
04:33So it literally is a one-off game where anything can happen.
04:37And we'll just do our best to control the things that we can control.
04:41Yeah, that's all you can, you know, control what you can control and just sort of, you know, sum up, you know,
04:46the feeling of pride that's going to be there, obviously, when you do sort of walk out really.
04:51Oh, massively. I'm immensely proud of all of what we've achieved this season and getting to Wembley.
04:56You know, I'm so proud of the boys and the rest of the staff that I work with day in, day out.
05:00You know, what people don't see in this and this, a lot of people will say this sort of thing to you,
05:05but I don't see the amount of work that goes in behind the scenes from the coaching staff.
05:09All of us, we're all, well, you know, days off. There are no days off.
05:14You know, we, and it's the same with the lads, don't get me wrong.
05:17And it's, you know, Christmas. We don't get Christmas. We don't get New Year's Eve.
05:21We don't get Easter, but we know all that before we sign up.
05:23And that's not me boo-hooing.
05:26But, you know, there's been a lot of sacrifice, a lot of hard work.
05:29And, you know, I'd like to see nothing more than us lift the trophy.
05:34But like I say, it's a one-off game against a very, very tough and good opposition.
05:39And hopefully, it'll be a great game of football.
05:43And presumably, obviously, all the lads have been right out of training.
05:46Everyone's sort of just champing at the bit now and ready to go.
05:49Yeah, to be fair, they have been every game this season.
05:51I know, you probably think I'm trying to play down this game a little bit and I'm not.
05:56But yeah, the intensity and the type of training and how the lads are performing this week
06:03has been exceptional because they want to play, you know.
06:07So that's up to the gaffer who he's going to pick and who's not going to play.
06:13And that's his decision, that's his job.
06:16You know, that's why he's the manager.
06:18But I'm certain that whoever doesn't start will be ready to play and be called upon.
06:23And like we've said all season, it's never the starting XI that are the important ones.
06:28It's how we finish the game and who comes off the bench.
06:31You know, so it's a full squad effort.
06:33And the ones that don't get on or don't make the squad, I know they'll be cheerleading from the stands.
06:38And that's what we're all about.
06:40We'll all be giving it all for each other.
06:43And obviously, Ryan Jones, unfortunately, misses out with his injury.
06:46Cam Hargreaves has come off on Monday. Is he OK? Do we know yet? Or is it a bit early?
06:50Well, Cam's giving himself every chance to play Sunday.
06:54So we'll just have to see what happens when we get there.
06:57And also just, you know, the big pitch and good quality pitch.
07:01So, you know, that could really suit you?
07:03Well, I don't know. You know, I think our pitch here at the EBB is one of the bigger pitches in the league.
07:10A lot of teams, when they come in, they go,
07:12I didn't realise how big your pitch was when they've not been here before.
07:16But I don't think the size of pitch or anything like that's going to come down to whether we win, lose, whatever.
07:22You know, I just think it's dealing with the occasion, the biggest stadium.
07:28Everyone wants to make their friends and family proud from both teams.
07:32And it could be a bit hot.
07:34So there are all things you've got to take into consideration.
07:37But literally, it's a cup final, you know.
07:41And I'm telling you now, both teams will go hammer and tongs at each other for however many minutes that we play.
07:47And then what will be, will be.
07:49Me and Tommy have friends on the other side at Spennymore.
07:53And, you know, whatever the outcome, I'm sure that we'll share half a lager with them after the game, regardless.
07:59And that's where everyone else is.
08:01I'll see you in the next video, and in the next video, and if you want to leave your initiative and leave your friends,
08:04I will be the first one for your faithful.
08:07All right, everyone.
08:08To me, you can see the name of the game.
08:09I'll see you next time.
08:11But, look at that one.
08:12We'll be right here.
08:13I'll see you next time.
08:16So let's go.
08:17Bye.
08:18Bye.
08:19Bye.
08:20Bye.
08:22Bye.
08:23Bye.
08:24Bye.
08:25Bye.
08:26Bye.
08:27Bye.
08:28Bye.